That is my perogative!
If you had read the post properly in the first place there would be no issue
Browse Forums Home Theatre & Automation Re: Alfresco Speakers 28Mar 31, 2010 10:44 am Quote: A seperate amp is the go IMO. Yeah - I agree. If all you need to do is drive the speakers (2-channel) in the alfresco area with your PC's "sound card" as the source - an integrated AV receiver/amp like the suggested Yamaha is way overkill. You will not use 75% of the features on that big ugly Yamaha A dedicated stereo (i.e. 2-channel) power amp is what you need. You can buy one of these AMPs as a PC component (a card for your spare PCI slot) but I would avoid those as they are mostly over-priced junk. Your best bet is something like this as a very reasonably priced, very high-end component... http://www.storedj.com.au/products/product.php?id=735 At this end of the spectrum this product is in the realm of DJs or musicians. But at that price - there is more power per channel than you will ever need for your needs. And ... much less to go wrong as it is a dedicated (analog) power AMP with nothing digital about it. Your PC is handling all of the digital stuff. You will have it sitting next to your PC. Plug the PC sound card into the AMPs RCA input and run some speaker cable from the AMP to your speakers in the alfresco area. If you are up for it - run the speaker cable through your walls/ceiling space and terminate it with speaker plates at either end. Then... Set up a playlist using your choice of music playback software and hit "play" and relax. Re: Alfresco Speakers 29Mar 31, 2010 12:37 pm Wow Jila, speaking of overkill... acidentally get a little heavy-handed with the volume on that amp and it's likely you'll be kissing your speakers good bye... Matt recommended something like the Yamaha he mentioned for a couple of reaons: 1. If you are running the audio out of the PC into the amp and want to still hear it in the PC room AS WELL AS the alfresco then you need to drive 2 pairs of speakers. An Amp (let's say AV Receiver) like the one mentioned can support 2 pairs of speakers (A + B) without any extra hardware. 2. A Receiver (AV or otherwise) will also include an AM and FM tuner which means you also get the option of being able to listen to the radio - in either room. 3. Cheap AV receivers are actually a lot more common than Stereo Receivers... and if in future you decide to take your system in a different direction you have more options and features in the AV Receiver... I agree with his thinking. Re: Alfresco Speakers 30Mar 31, 2010 2:37 pm Rodda Wow Jila, speaking of overkill... acidentally get a little heavy-handed with the volume on that amp and it's likely you'll be kissing your speakers good bye... Fair enough ... as long as we are clear that AMPs don't blow speakers, people do A stereo AMP will indicate clipping on the display and allow you to adjust the volume (hopefully) before you have a chance of blowing the speakers... an integrated AV Receiver won't even give you that opportunity. A stereo AMP has more than enough power to drive any speakers to a good volume without any distortion and without stressing the AMP. For example, take your middle-of-the-road 90dB/W speakers rated at 150W - when driven to something around 110dB will require 100W per channel. That will be 98dB from 4 metres away, which most people would regard as VERY LOUD (more than enough for a decent party). An integrated AV Receiver will cliip on any dynamics at this volume - the stereo AMP has plenty of head-room for distortion free music. A PC has a HDD, a CD drive, streaming internet radio options (from around the world) etc etc... - so your point #2 about an AM/FM radio is not well made. Plus, no-one actually listens to radio anymore ... did you not get the memo in about 2003. All of your other points are valid though. I'm just putting forward a different (and slightly cheaper) option than a bulky AV Receiver for this particular simple application (driving alfresco speakers from a PC). Re: Alfresco Speakers 31Mar 31, 2010 3:10 pm JilaMint A stereo AMP will indicate clipping on the display and allow you to adjust the volume (hopefully) before you have a chance of blowing the speakers... an integrated AV Receiver won't even give you that opportunity. Hmm really! This amplifier I suggested has this exact feature?? JilaMint A PC has a HDD, a CD drive, streaming internet radio options (from around the world) etc etc... - so your point #2 about an AM/FM radio is not well made. Plus, no-one actually listens to radio anymore ... did you not get the memo in about 2003. You may want to have a look at the squeezebox boom...It does MP3, wireless streaming from a HDD and a DVD drive and internet radio. It is a good 'portable' option. Re: Alfresco Speakers 32Apr 01, 2010 8:17 am JilaMint For example, take your middle-of-the-road 90dB/W speakers rated at 150W - when driven to something around 110dB will require 100W per channel. That will be 98dB from 4 metres away, which most people would regard as VERY LOUD (more than enough for a decent party). An integrated AV Receiver will cliip on any dynamics at this volume - the stereo AMP has plenty of head-room for distortion free music. Most 'entry level' In-Ceiling and Outdoor speakers don't have specs that good (sensitivity or power handling) and in fact are usually significantly less in the power handling area. 500 watts driving a speaker that can handle 60-80W is asking for trouble in my book (or 80%-90% of the amp's power is wasted). FYI, most multi-room audio solutions tend to range anywhere from 15WRMS to 60WRMS (the Elan S6 is 40WRMS per channel and is plenty...). JilaMint A PC has a HDD, a CD drive, streaming internet radio options (from around the world) etc etc... - so your point #2 about an AM/FM radio is not well made. Plus, no-one actually listens to radio anymore ... did you not get the memo in about 2003. Nah, the point I made is still quite valid. Having installed many systems over many years you might be surprised (I'm guessing you will be) to learn that many, many people still listen to good old FM and even AM radio and are comfortable with the simplicity and familiarity of a good old radio tuner (as opposed to having to navigate a PC to listen to the radio). I've installed multi-room audio systems complete with dual AM/FM tuners so the customers can listen to 2 different stations (in 2 different rooms) at a time, very simply. Controlling the PC from the alfresco area (eg. to control the radio) would require a fair bit of thought and some extra hardware too... Re: Alfresco Speakers 33Apr 01, 2010 8:47 am Hi Rodda Can you draw a couple of scenario diagrams on how to set up these ceiling speakers e.g. 2-3 zones - either from PC or ... whatever device to play music, radio etc etc... Wouldn't mind your recommendations on Amp/speakers brands and technical specs and from your experience what works and what doesn't... keeping in mind that most of us work within budgets... Most of the display homes do have the speakers in the ceilings and it does look so neat and streamlined. It will help us heaps if we know what to look for or to ask for when shopping around... Thanks in advance Daniela Preliminary agreement 23/11 Contract 22/03 Prestart 06/04 - finalised on 30/04 Unconditional approval 10/05 Demolition 05/07 Slab 26/08 Brickwork 13/09-06/10 Roof frame started 07/10 viewtopic.php?f=31&t=32292 Re: Alfresco Speakers 34Apr 01, 2010 8:13 pm Rodda Most 'entry level' In-Ceiling and Outdoor speakers don't have specs that good (sensitivity or power handling) and in fact are usually significantly less in the power handling area. 500 watts driving a speaker that can handle 60-80W is asking for trouble in my book (or 80%-90% of the amp's power is wasted). FYI, most multi-room audio solutions tend to range anywhere from 15WRMS to 60WRMS (the Elan S6 is 40WRMS per channel and is plenty...). Rodda, I checked the spec sheet on the Berhinger stereo AMP (...because the numbers were not adding up in my head). The 500W is peak power in bridged mode not rms in stereo mode. In stereo mode (for an 8Ohm load - i.e. a typical speaker) this thing pumps out 125WRMS. The fact that it can handle upto 500W peak power is a muso thing usually quoted for dynamic range. 125W RMS is what you get from an AV Integrated Receiver that usually costs upwards of $2000. Based on that - you would not be wasting this stereo AMP's power. And it turns out to be a good fitting device (arguably perfect) for this need. You would however be wasting 80-90% of the Yamaha AV Receiver's features by only using it to drive two-channel audio from a PC (immediately all of the video processing capabilities and inputs/outpus which is what you are paying the most $$ for are idle). Not to mention the fact that you won't be able to see its fancy LCD display, use any of the digital video processing modes, etc etc ... Based on the new figures of 125WRMS in stereo output from the Berhinger I stand by the fact that it is by far the most cost effective and efficient device for driving 2-channel audio from a PC. It's a smaller, cheaper, higher quality and more powerful box. Apologies for the confusion about the 500W thing ... it had me too ! Until I realised that RMS power output is expensive - and there is no way this could be pushing that much out at this price point. The main point is... this use-case is purely for audio, so why not look at pure audio products. I know you guys are home theatre folks and I very much respect your experience and opinions - but there are other products from similar market segements (e.g. DJ and muso equipment) that fit these purposes too if you think outside the box a little. Re: Alfresco Speakers 35Apr 02, 2010 10:33 pm Damon my friend got this : http://www.selbyacoustics.com.au/storef ... =245589988 in both of his Alfrescos they are amazing at this price range. remember the grill need to be power coated aluminium to avoid rusting. Matt you quoted that these speakers come with powder coated aluminium but on web site it says not for outside use ??????? jason Re: Alfresco Speakers 36Apr 03, 2010 9:32 am We cover our bases just to make sure. They are not recommended for outdoor use but they work just fine and if you get the poly speakers they will last (virtually) forever. The reason we say this is that they are not IP rated (ingress protection rating) meaning they have not been tested for outside use. Re: Alfresco Speakers 37Apr 05, 2010 12:24 am mattwalker They are not recommended for outdoor use but they work just fine and if you get the poly speakers they will last (virtually) forever. Hi Matt, I am about to make another large purchase with you guys - this time in readiness for my new house install, which recently had the frame completed. I want to put some good quality ceiling speakers in my outdoor room (also thinking of replacing my rear bookshelf speakers on stands with ceiling speakers in the HT to reduce the clutter). I was originally thinking of some Krix, but as what always happens when building a new house, the budget is constantly shrinking. I just wanted to clarify in regard to outdoor use - you recommend the poly speakers (XD8214.x2) over the better performing glass fibre speakers (XD8215.x2)? Re: Alfresco Speakers 38Apr 05, 2010 1:10 am Absolutely and you will not be disappointed at all with the sound from these at all! We have 25% OFF this weekend so if teh budget is small this will help for sure Cheers, Matt Jeffsy mattwalker They are not recommended for outdoor use but they work just fine and if you get the poly speakers they will last (virtually) forever. Hi Matt, I am about to make another large purchase with you guys - this time in readiness for my new house install, which recently had the frame completed. I want to put some good quality ceiling speakers in my outdoor room (also thinking of replacing my rear bookshelf speakers on stands with ceiling speakers in the HT to reduce the clutter). I was originally thinking of some Krix, but as what always happens when building a new house, the budget is constantly shrinking. I just wanted to clarify in regard to outdoor use - you recommend the poly speakers (XD8214.x2) over the better performing glass fibre speakers (XD8215.x2)? Hello! I've alfresco pitch of 3 degrees sitting just below the highlight window. Need advice on below: 1. Will the 3 degree pitch be ok to drain the rain water? The roof… 0 4251 Hi everyone, Newbie renovator here, after some advice for combining our family room in the picture and the alfresco and make a larger family room. 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