Whole home audio

[bsmiddleton]

When I was a kid my dad had a stereo wired with speakers in every room of the house. Each room had its own volume control. I'm building a house and I want to put one or two speakers in each room with its own volume control all run with an amplifier and blue tooth receiver. I've looked into Sonos and all the other systems over wifi but I don't want the speakers sitting on a desk and I don't want to spend thousands of dollars. I've found wall mounted volume controls but I don't know if any will control two speakers. I also need a receiver that is sending the same signal to each speaker so two channels times however many speakers I want. Has anyone put together a system on their own? I know this isn't strictly garage but it would help.
thanks

 

[KenB]

Look on Amazon for "volume control for speakers" or L-Pad. Lots of choices. To send the same signal to multiple rooms will probably require some booster amps in addition to your main receiver.

Enjoy!


Ken

 

[bsmiddleton]

Thanks Ken, I just can't figure out if those volume controls can control more than one speaker. I also need to figure out if I really need a 2 channel receiver or if there is some other device to connect to a regular receiver.

 

[bsmiddleton]

I think I need some kind of splitting device.

 

[Stuart in MN]

Parts Express has a pretty big selection of home audio equipment: https://www.parts-express.com/cat/whole-house-multi-room-a-v/45

 

[sands35]

Ebay. I use Russound stuff.

 

[KenB]

Thanks Ken, I just can't figure out if those volume controls can control more than one speaker. I also need to figure out if I really need a 2 channel receiver or if there is some other device to connect to a regular receiver.

You should check out the Russound (already recommended), Nilesaudio and www.legrand.us/nuvo websites to learn about engineering a multi-room audio system.


Ken

 

[hackwelder]

So far as the source goes I don't think bluetooth would be the best option for a multiroom setup due to the 30' range and degraded audio quality, some sort of wifi setup would be better. a Chromecast is $35 and lots of apps can stream to it, like Tunein radio, Pandora, etc...(also Allcast)...the Chromecast can be plugged into an HDMI jack on a AV receiver.
Or if you have a lot of digital music you can run Logitech Media Server (free), set up a virtual squeezbox on the server computer (also free) and control playback with the free logitech app or one of the low cost Android or IOS controllers like ipeng, squeezecommander, squeezepad, etc.

 

[sands35]

As for a media server, older audiorequest stuff can sell for less than 100. Web interface and feeds out via RCA connectors. I picked up a Russound CAA6 with key pads for 500. Wall speakers are about 30-40 a pair. I feed my garage 150 feet away via RG11 coax and have a cheep receiver out there.

Audio in the garage, living room, dining room and master bed and bath.

 

[David Paul]

I know you said you looked at the Sonos system but you may want to look again. The system is the best I've seen for the price. A Player 1 speeker will fill a whole room. Seaperate speaker in each room, that can all be on the same channel, or on there own channel. Separate volume and channel control all from your phone. I use Pandora and usual play 3 different stations at the same time. And I like the look of the speaker very well made.

 

[kd3pc]

2nd vote for the Sonos, and when it is obsolete, just go to the next gadget. A lot less $$ overall, when you factor in cabling, source, where to place Lpads, speakers and all the gear to do it.

bests

 

[Beemer533]

This is the system I put together initially;

Speakers (I use these, but really your budget will primarily determine what you might want. These sound great though. You will want either 4 to 8 ohm rated speakers) https://www.parts-express.com/dayton-audio-cs620c-6-1-2-2-way-ceiling-speaker-pair--300-402

Another option
http://www.monoprice.com/Product?c_id=108&cp_id=10837&cs_id=1083702&p_id=6034&seq=1&format=2

Volume controls; one of these are used to control a pair of speakers in each room/location. These are impedance matching remote controls which allow you to use multiple 4 or 8 ohm speakers on a single amp channel and keep the load correct that the amplifier sees (dip switches on each control determine this).

(I use these, but depending on your amplifier, you may need higher rated ones) https://www.parts-express.com/wired...ng-rotary-speaker-volume-control-50w--300-560

Distribution hub (this takes the input form the amp channels and sends it to each volume control) Note that you cannot just use this with the impedance matching volume controls or you will destroy your amp!
https://www.parts-express.com/wired-home-wh10sdh-10-room-speaker-distribution-hub--182-820

Amplifier: This is one area that there are tons of options... I started out using the zone 2 channels from my Onkyo AVR, but that was limited as the input could only be analog and the network performance sucked.
Eventually I switched to one of these:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00026BQJ6/?tag=atomicindus08-20

It worked very well, it has auto turn on so all you need to do is start playing music from whatever source you want (analog input only)

All these options above put together sound great, work very well and doesn't cost a lot.. The downside for me ended up that it was one source for everything, so there was no way I could listen to what I wanted in the garage while my wife listened to what she wanted elsewhere....

Also, in addition to locally streamed music from my server, my wife and I were listening more to a lot of online streaming (radio stations, pandora, Rhapsody, Spotify, etc). For this we could use one of our tablets for the source, but it wasn't really convenient..


My solution (I am currently building it) is to ditch the stereo amp and distribution hub in place of one Rasberry Pi and an amplifier module for each zone ( I will be using 4 separate zones right now; Kitchen/dining room, Garage, Living room, patio so I have 4 RPi's and 4 amps).

Each rasberry pi is connected to a single amplifier module and runs a special build called Squeezeplug. This and the app are freeware, so no costs there.

Basically each zone now has its own source for relatively cheap. Using an app on each of our phones or tablets, we can control each zone completely independently or have them all play the same source for parties..

I am putting all of the equipment into a rack enclosure in my basement.

Let me know if you have any questions!

 

[bsmiddleton]

Wow, you guys know a lot about stereos! I don't think my dad's setup was anywhere near this complicated. Then again he only had a tape deck and turntable hooked up to it. I didn't really want anything wireless but if I get freaked out I will go with Sonos. It sounds like I can use all of them at the same time or separately which would be good. What I am trying to do though is wake everyone in my house up at the same time without having to start up the juke box. I'm old skool like that. So what I know so far is from Beemer's excellent write up (thanks for all links Beemer and everyone) that I need 4 to 8 ohm speakers, some volume controls that will control two speakers, a distribution hub and a 2 channel amplifier. From there I hope to hook up my phone or a computer and have a go. If my kid wants to play his own music he can do it on his own stereo and my wife and I can route the music away from where we don't want it from the distribution block. I need to keep it simple because I am not good with electrical stuff or computers. Simple may really be the Sonos speakers though.
Thanks for all the great input guys, I went from no idea to two direct paths in no time.

 

[bsmiddleton]

I just did the math and the simplest in wall system costs as much as a Sonos system. Probably has better sound but more work to install and how do I convince my wife to let me cut holes in the drywall. Actually I wouldn't tell her. I'm still not sure which way I want to go but this gets me a whole lot closer. Thanks again guys.

 

[David Paul]

You would be surprised at the volume and great sound this speaker will produce. Installation is easy, no other wires other then to plug it in. Even the wifey is happy with my purchase. Another advantage is if the music isn't on in one room, and you want it on, just push the button on top. Even has a volume control right on top. No affiliation, just a satisfied customer.

 

[bsmiddleton]

My fear is them turning it off or a hiss when there's no sound coming through.

 

[Beemer533]

Glad to help! Regardless of which way you go, let us know if you have any questions

 

[thewatusi]

I put together a small scale system for my kitchen, dining room, and deck.

I used in ceiling speakers for the inside stuff, in wall volume knobs, and a 4 zone selector switch - all from Monoprice. A couple of old bookshelf speakers get hooked up outside for parties. Everything is powered by an old receiver with a spare android phone as the source (.flac files, pandora, etc)

Works out well.

 

[bsmiddleton]

That's simple.

 

[dcmus]

70 volt speakers, transformer or equivalent power amp, and in line volume control. We do it all the time.

 

[David Paul]

My fear is them turning it off or a hiss when there's no sound coming through.

If this fear is for the Sonos, no hiss what so ever with no sound.

 

[bsmiddleton]

Ya, that was the fear.

 

[David Paul]

Ok, then if the concern is turning off the system from one speaker, that won't happen. The speaker switch will only control that speaker.

 

[bsmiddleton]

No I know the rest of the system will operate. I'm going to see if Sonos comes up anywhere on cyber Monday and if not look into the simplest wall system I can put together.

 

[sr71]

if you had not invested in any other gear yet…and you're main focus is music throughout the house, Sonos is the easy button.

 

[Sokoloff]

I installed a Nuvo Grand Concerto about 5 years ago and it's awesome. It fails your "don't want to spend thousands" test, and I debated it quite a while before pulling the trigger, but now that we have it, if I think about how many hours of enjoyment we've already gotten from that in the last 5 years (including using it as lullaby music for the kids' rooms so the parents could have some quiet time), I'd have paid twice the price. 6 source, 7 [or 8?] zone, 6 of them amplified, touch screen OLED control panels, good iPod interface (including controlling it from the zone control panel).

It's very nice, just a little spendy...

 

[bsmiddleton]

Way way out of my league but someone finding this thread sometime will appreciate your reply.

 

[bzinsky]

I also wanted whole house audio, I can piece together a really nice system for cheap. Using in-wall speakers from mono-price, cheap amps from amazon, and apple zone controllers. Far cheaper than sono's.

Then I bought this...
http://www.bose.com/controller?url=...s/bluetooth_speakers/soundlink_mini/index.jsp

I seriously have no use for whole home audio now. It may sound like a poor replacement but it wasn't until recently that a wireless system was this convenient and sounded this good. I mean the primary purpose of whole home audio for most is to be able to have a stereo in any room you please. This solves that, but not all the rooms at once if that's your goal. This little Bose speaker is one of the best little toys I ever bought, and I am not an uneducated consumer that thinks bose is high end audio. Just read the reviews on amazon, they speak for themselves.

Now when I want music outside on the deck, in the garage, in the bathroom, in the kitchen, or in the living room when I have guests over, I just pick this thing up off it's base charger and turn it on. It's extremely small, lasts a solid 5-6 hours at full tilt, and sounds amazing for it's size. I tried several models before choosing it, and I think it sounds better than it's more expensive brother from bose.

I can't imagine anyone buying this thing and not thinking it was a great purchase, whether it solves your solution or not.

 

[bsmiddleton]

What is an apple zone controller? The only thing I could find called that controlled a sprinkler system.

 

[bzinsky]

What is an apple zone controller? The only thing I could find called that controlled a sprinkler system.

Airport express for each zone, apple airplay to control, small and cheap 2 channel amp from amazon in each zone, monoprice in-walls speakers.

 

[inphx]

Thanks for the component list Beemer - I picked up same speakers and volume control.

 

[jeffmoss26]

70 volt speakers, transformer or equivalent power amp, and in line volume control. We do it all the time.

Most of my experience with constant voltage systems is in paging/background music and installed systems (meeting rooms etc)...I wouldn't think the quality would be good enough for home audio, at least not with the stuff I've worked on.

 

[jomobco]

I know you said you looked at the Sonos system but you may want to look again. The system is the best I've seen for the price. A Player 1 speeker will fill a whole room. Seaperate speaker in each room, that can all be on the same channel, or on there own channel. Separate volume and channel control all from your phone. I use Pandora and usual play 3 different stations at the same time. And I like the look of the speaker very well made.

Best ever IMO. And you can combine play1's to get true stereo (same holds true with the play3 and play5). Super simple, it can be used as a wireless bridge, hundreds of internet channels, supports pandora, etc. One of my favorite toys ever.

 

[bzinsky]

Best ever IMO. And you can combine play1's to get true stereo (same holds true with the play3 and play5). Super simple, it can be used as a wireless bridge, hundreds of internet channels, supports pandora, etc. One of my favorite toys ever.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004HW3KKE/?tag=atomicindus08-20
+
http://www.monoprice.com/Product?c_id=108&cp_id=10837&cs_id=1083703&p_id=4101&seq=1&format=2
+
http://www.monoprice.com/Product?c_id=109&cp_id=10837&cs_id=1083705&p_id=4927&seq=1&format=2
+
http://store.apple.com/us/product/M...0176010_&cid=aos-us-kwg-pla-apple+accessories

=

sonos slayer for $268 per zone, but quite a bit more work to install.

it's all integrated into your airplay app, which is designed by apple, and as you can imagine is very polished and easy to use.

 

[ishiboo]

Airport express for each zone, apple airplay to control, small and cheap 2 channel amp from amazon in each zone, monoprice in-walls speakers.

This is what I did. My office and bedroom have KRK studio monitors instead of overhead though, so really good sound quality. Instead of a separate Airport Express, you can use one machine with a multi-channel sound card running a few Shairport instances.

 

[bsmiddleton]

I will look into those.

 

[jomobco]

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004HW3KKE/?tag=atomicindus08-20
+
http://www.monoprice.com/Product?c_id=108&cp_id=10837&cs_id=1083703&p_id=4101&seq=1&format=2
+
http://www.monoprice.com/Product?c_id=109&cp_id=10837&cs_id=1083705&p_id=4927&seq=1&format=2
+
http://store.apple.com/us/product/M...0176010_&cid=aos-us-kwg-pla-apple+accessories

=

sonos slayer for $268 per zone, but quite a bit more work to install.

it's all integrated into your airplay app, which is designed by apple, and as you can imagine is very polished and easy to use.

And a ton more wires.

 

[Playwme]

Another Sonos user here. Not cheap but it's awesome. Got play3's at both ends of the open plan kitchen/dining/lounge area. family room has a play bar connected to the TV and a pair of Play1's for the surround. Need sound in another room? Just unplug a play 3 from the power point and take it where you want it.

It's easy to set up, and easy to use. Want the same thing on through the whole house? Takes 3 seconds to group all the zones together using your phone. It always just works too. No troubleshooting, no strange lag. If your wireless is working then your Sonos will.

 

[Pootie]

Looked into the sonos when i first built my house. NICE stuff. Just couldn't justify spending that much for what I wanted to do. Ended up getting a russound mca-c5 for less than $1500, and an airport express. Didn't spend money on wall controls because I can control it from my ipad or phone i carry on me all the time. So that saved quite a bit of money. Used monoprice speakers. I use the russound itself for listening to the radio or airplay pandora or whatever else from my phone into an input in the russound. All in all, I think I have less than $2k in the system. At the time, the sonos setup was coming up to be over $5k.

For those of you with the sonos systems, was it something you installed by yourself? Seemed like I had to go through a specialty shop to get it and they had to set it up, thus the higher cost.

 

[CADPoint]

Another look see web site!

http://www.sonicelectronix.com/