Browse Forums Home Theatre & Automation 1 Oct 02, 2009 9:55 am I am trying to find out what my options are for having music in multiple rooms of my soon to be build house. What I'd like to have is the ability to listen to a source (say, CD or radio) in an area of the house through ceiling mounted speakers and also be able to change the volume, radio station or CD track etc from that same room. The plan is to have a central location where the 'smart wiring' for the rest of the house is terminated - so I can locate the appropriate multi room audio thingy there. What I'd really like to have as well is a digital radio source. Is this possible? So, if anyone has any experience in this or can suggest suitable options.... I am all ears. btw, my pockets are not very deep - so I am looking at a nice value for money system and not one that will cost as much as a small car. Re: Multi Room Audio Options - Ideas anyone? 2Oct 02, 2009 12:04 pm The Elan System 6 (S6) will do EXACTLY what you are describing here, for anything up to 6 independent zones/rooms: http://www.elanhomesystems.com/productdetail.asp?id=18 For it's functionality and quality, it is excellent value too. To attempt to do this type of multi-room for less than what an S6 setup would cost will dramatically reduce the systems functionality and ease of incorporating your various sources (CD players, radio tuners, iPod docks, etc.)... Re: Multi Room Audio Options - Ideas anyone? 3Oct 02, 2009 8:35 pm RG, I have been searching for a cheaper alternative also and this is what I am thinking. Not sure how it will work, my attension is on getting the house built first, but i think it will be ok. It will also only work for 2 zone, which is all I want... Use a sherwood RX-5502 multi source stereo reciever or similar and place with all the A/V equip in a central place. Put in your AV stuff The reciever has everything you may need, can control 2 independant zones from the remote, and each can have different things on at one time. Its also good for 2 speakers per zone @ 8 ohm or 4 spearkers per zone @ 16 ohm. You will need an IR sender from each room you have your speakers so you can control the amp remotely. The IR sender will also allow you to control your other AV stuff remotely. If you have 2 universal remotes you can leave a remote in each room to control everything. The amp is $447 from JB, $200-$300 per pair of in-ceiling speakers and cable and $100 IR sender. About $1000 for a dual zone audio system. It looks like a good compromise to me as after investigating how much everything costs (driveway, window covers, letterbox, etc.etc.etc.etc.etc.) my hopes of an elaborate system have evaporated for a long while..... Re: Multi Room Audio Options - Ideas anyone? 4Oct 09, 2009 1:16 pm one word for you folk SONOS --> www.sonos.com Its the best i have used and the missus loves it as its so simple. Apple have been trying to buy Sonos for years, in the end they had to seetle for a small partnership role. Re: Multi Room Audio Options - Ideas anyone? 5Oct 09, 2009 2:07 pm scott_tanya one word for you folk SONOS --> http://www.sonos.com Its the best i have used and the missus loves it as its so simple. Apple have been trying to buy Sonos for years, in the end they had to seetle for a small partnership role. Logitech bought out the very reputable SlingBox a few years ago and now have a stable of similar audio streaming gear. Never used any of it, so am not going to comment on any features, useability etc.. There would be lots of reviews around the place. Re: Multi Room Audio Options - Ideas anyone? 6Oct 09, 2009 2:46 pm Matt and I have installed Sonos systems before - they are cool and good at what they do, but they do have negatives (enjoy the moment when your cordless phone gets used and screws up the wireless network being used by the Sonos system...). We have also installed the Logitech SqueezeBox stuff (Duets, etc.) - also cool. Note that it is a source for an audio system - you still need the amps, speakers and ability to control the sound in the rooms... Sierra's suggestion may (may) come out a bit cheaper in the end... but heed my warning about reducing the functionality and easy of use and installation... Re: Multi Room Audio Options - Ideas anyone? 7Oct 09, 2009 4:07 pm Hey Rodda, What do you think about systems with digital amps behind the control pads? I have seen the ATON 4 zone system & it seems pretty nifty. However I am not sure about the digital amps being in the control pads rather than in a central unit. Any comments (good or bad) about the Aton? thanks Re: Multi Room Audio Options - Ideas anyone? 8Oct 11, 2009 7:17 am Jamo also do a system (by Australian maker Abus actually) that has the amps in the keypads. I only have two concerns with this - one, that they will get warm (although I'm sure Jamo are fully aware of the heat they generate and it doesn't create a problem), and two, that they are only 15WRMS (I'd prefer a bit more power...). Re: Multi Room Audio Options - Ideas anyone? 9Oct 11, 2009 7:37 am If they hadn't let it die I would have suggested something like a Roku Soundbridge (assuming you already either have wifi or ethernet in the rooms you need). With a set of powered speakers, and no pc you can get access to internet radio. If you have a PC with itunes, wmplayer or other and rips of your CDs you can then stream them as well. It's cheap (compared to other solutions at least), and portable. If you can get a second hand one (ebay) or a pinnacle rebadged one from somewhere like catchoftheday (seem to have them every few months) then this might be a stopgap? (pinnacle version needs extra -free- software if using with itunes) Re: Multi Room Audio Options - Ideas anyone? 10Oct 11, 2009 6:58 pm 4walls If they hadn't let it die I would have suggested something like a Roku Soundbridge (assuming you already either have wifi or ethernet in the rooms you need). With a set of powered speakers, and no pc you can get access to internet radio. If you have a PC with itunes, wmplayer or other and rips of your CDs you can then stream them as well. It's cheap (compared to other solutions at least), and portable. If you can get a second hand one (ebay) or a pinnacle rebadged one from somewhere like catchoftheday (seem to have them every few months) then this might be a stopgap? (pinnacle version needs extra -free- software if using with itunes) And there in ****** the rub... you are referring to a source. The "set of powered speakers" (which need to be in every zone/room where you want to hear this stuff) and the ability to have some control over them is what needs to be provided first... Re: Multi Room Audio Options - Ideas anyone? 11Oct 25, 2009 9:35 pm I'm looking at doing something similar in my new home and currently considering a NuVo system...depending which you use, up to something like 12 zones I believe. The control interface seems very intuitive and things like wireless controllers which display song/media information (can't remember the technical term!) have pretty much sold me. Also, as I'm installing Dynalite as the base lighting/automation system, I wanted something compatible, which the NuVo is. Going with Stealth Acoustics in-ceiling speakers for indoors and probably Jamo weatherproof outdoor speakers for the outdoor terrace and courtyard. Not sure if anyone had come across these before, but just my two cents Re: Multi Room Audio Options - Ideas anyone? 12Oct 26, 2009 1:04 pm I'd love to know how the NuVo system compares (for the elaborate system you are describing) to Elan in terms of price, because from memory when I compared the two brands a while ago Elan came out as the better priced option (trying to compare apples with apples as much as I could). I haven't installed Stealth speakers before (I'm dubious as to how well they could reproduce sound given how they work...) but can certainly vouch for Jamo stuff... (P.S. Jamo and Stealth speakers are actually imported and distributed in Australia by the same company... the same company that also does Marantz and Mordaunt-Short...). Paradigm also make really good outdoor speakers for the price. Re: Multi Room Audio Options - Ideas anyone? 13Oct 26, 2009 11:24 pm Rodda I'd love to know how the NuVo system compares (for the elaborate system you are describing) to Elan in terms of price, because from memory when I compared the two brands a while ago Elan came out as the better priced option (trying to compare apples with apples as much as I could). What sort of pricing does an Elan setup have? To be honest, I haven't seen much of the Elan gear, but it does look pretty good as well (just from the site). The main reasons I've been leaning towards the NuVo system are that it seems to do all the things I'm after in terms of functionality and performance; interfaces are quite simple and look good; the Dynalite distributors/installers here are also NuVo distributors and confirmed its compatability (i.e. Dynalite can "talk to" the NuVo system); and the guys I'm sourcing the speakers through have also done a couple of NuVo installs and recommend it (along with Opus...). In terms of pricing, I seem to be looking at anywhere between $2.5k to $6k depending on which system I go with! Not sure how that compares with Elan? Rodda I haven't installed Stealth speakers before (I'm dubious as to how well they could reproduce sound given how they work...) but can certainly vouch for Jamo stuff... (P.S. Jamo and Stealth speakers are actually imported and distributed in Australia by the same company... the same company that also does Marantz and Mordaunt-Short...). Paradigm also make really good outdoor speakers for the price. The Stealth FX8 speakers (come as a pair) actual seem to perform pretty well; and I guess in many ways I chose them based on aesthetics (or lack of ) as much as anything! As they are mainly going to be used for 'background music', I'm happy that they'll do the job. In my dedicated home theatre room I'll definitely be looking for performance and the speakers won't be invisible!! On that note, do you happen to know anything about "Legend" speakers? Re: Multi Room Audio Options - Ideas anyone? 14Oct 27, 2009 2:38 pm links people.. damm it... Kodiak Data Cabling onFaceBook Consult*, Design and Installation Data, TV, Home Theatre/ AV Cabling, Multi Room Audio, IP CCTV and Door Intercoms Ask for a Quote. *DIY DATA Cabling Is Ilegal Re: Multi Room Audio Options - Ideas anyone? 16Oct 28, 2009 8:05 am Hey BACT, you should contact HiFi and Video Marketing in NSW, the importer/distributor for Elan in Aus, and ask them for an installer in your area if you want a quote: http://www.hifivideomarketing.com.au/contact.html But first, I think you should prepare yourself - for the system that does what it sounds like you're suggesting (up to 12 zones, wireless interactive controls, etc.), including speakers, you are looking at way over $6K (an installed 6 zone Elan S6 with standard keypads and speakers is around the $7K - $8K range). Re: Multi Room Audio Options - Ideas anyone? 17Oct 29, 2009 6:10 pm Hey Rodda Yeh, the NuVo system I'm looking at now is the Essentia E6G - 6 source 6 zone (expandable to 12), 40W per zone, waterproof OLED control pad with full metadata feedback, wireless remote, rs-232 interface etc - is gona be around the $4k mark without speakers...so by the time i'm finished, it'll be more like $7-8k installed... From the looks of it the Elan would do a great job also, just happens that the contacts I've got can get me a good deal with NuVo and Stealth gear and I know it will integrate well with the Dynalite system, so hopefully it will all work out ok! I'll give you an update in the new year when it's all up and running!!! Then I'll have to start on my Home Theatre set up!! Hello! We have a very large open plan living room and wanted to get layout options, and furnishing ideas for this space. Currently there is only a… 0 9328 Standard uninsulated double brick has an R value of around 0.7. 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