Multi Room wired AV
Discussion
Moving into a new build later in the year and before walls/plastering are completed we can get an AV system installed without worrying about wiring later.
I fancied a Sonos system as it seems to work in modules with a great user interface but I don't think it can work with a 5.1 system on the T.V
The features I would like.
In the living room I will have a 5.1 surround sound for the TV, I want these to work the same with the music when not being used for the TV but this is where the SONOS has problems I think.
In total rooms would be:
Ceiling speakers in 2 bathrooms & ensuite, speakers in living room, kitchen & 3 bedrooms.
Any suggestions what would be best to use?
I fancied a Sonos system as it seems to work in modules with a great user interface but I don't think it can work with a 5.1 system on the T.V
The features I would like.
richer sounds Multi Room benefits said:
- Listen to music in other rooms in your home
- Listen to the same music in all rooms
- Listen to different music sources in different rooms
- Control the system from any room
In total rooms would be:
Ceiling speakers in 2 bathrooms & ensuite, speakers in living room, kitchen & 3 bedrooms.
Any suggestions what would be best to use?
In my last place I had, my AV amp had 2 separate output channels so I had the 5.1 speakers AND a stereo pair in another room. I had a Sonos Connect as an input source so that I could send that source to one or all of the speakers.
I also had a Connect Amp driving wired stereo speakers in the bedroom.
In my new place I'm using all the same Somos hardware but will add some wireless speakers too. It's all very modular.
I also had a Connect Amp driving wired stereo speakers in the bedroom.
In my new place I'm using all the same Somos hardware but will add some wireless speakers too. It's all very modular.
Are you looking for something you're going to install yourself or are you open to pro installed systems (or systems that your electrician can install with commissioning by others?)
I run a business that specialises in home audio, we sell a lot of end user products online, but also sell, support and install multi room audio for trade and retail.
I could recommend a very, very good system that'll fit all your needs including the 5.1 zone but it's not wireless DIY install like Sonos, it is however much better and when you're talking 4 zones + the costs aren't too far out.
Email me if you want more info.
I run a business that specialises in home audio, we sell a lot of end user products online, but also sell, support and install multi room audio for trade and retail.
I could recommend a very, very good system that'll fit all your needs including the 5.1 zone but it's not wireless DIY install like Sonos, it is however much better and when you're talking 4 zones + the costs aren't too far out.
Email me if you want more info.
The builder won't let me install myself, I have to use there recommended installer if I want it in before the walls are complete, having spoken to them they are flexible to install whatever I want. The install they have done in the show home is nice, but doesn't have the features I am looking for.
Heartworm said:
The builder won't let me install myself, I have to use there recommended installer if I want it in before the walls are complete, having spoken to them they are flexible to install whatever I want. The install they have done in the show home is nice, but doesn't have the features I am looking for.
Do they offer a pre-wire only ? Most multi room systems wire the same way, if they can pre-wire you can add the kit later yourself.
What system do they offer as their package?
MrSparks said:
Do they offer a pre-wire only ?
Most multi room systems wire the same way, if they can pre-wire you can add the kit later yourself.
What system do they offer as their package?
They will pre-wire only (And it is a lot cheaper than I Thought it would be!Most multi room systems wire the same way, if they can pre-wire you can add the kit later yourself.
What system do they offer as their package?
System they offer is multi room using Sonance C6R speakers everywhere but they haven't specified the controller. It won't allow for using the living room speakers for the TV which is important, as I want this to be proper surround sound when TV in use but use the speakers for music when not being used for the TV - we are both huge music fans.
Would there be something like a Russound AB3.2 Automatic A/B Speaker Switch that works with the 5.1, is it worth going for a 7.1?
It will be a fully wired system so not sure SONOS is the best way to go either as they seem to be pushing wireless, but there app for control seems to be one of the best.
The beauty of Sonos for this application is the Connect Amp product which is excellent for powering ceiling speakers as it is auto on/off and controlled by their excellent app.
Sonos do push wireless, but they work perfectly wired and this is definitely the way I'd go in a new build. Only rely on wireless if you really have to.
The only downside I can see is the expense. The Connect Amp is about £400 but worth it because it is the best product of it's time. However, the Sonos Connect is the product that you'd need to connect to add to your existing AVR for 5.1 or stereo and these are £280 which is ten times the price of some equivalents! If you want to get the full benefits of multi-room, you need to stay all-Sonos.
Sonos do push wireless, but they work perfectly wired and this is definitely the way I'd go in a new build. Only rely on wireless if you really have to.
The only downside I can see is the expense. The Connect Amp is about £400 but worth it because it is the best product of it's time. However, the Sonos Connect is the product that you'd need to connect to add to your existing AVR for 5.1 or stereo and these are £280 which is ten times the price of some equivalents! If you want to get the full benefits of multi-room, you need to stay all-Sonos.
It sounds like you want to use Chromecast Audio rather than Sonos. Your use-case is the same as mine, I didn't put ceiling speakers in my living room as I was planning to use the surround sound amplifier. I then forgot to run the wires from my central hub to the surround sound amp, so didn't have multi-room in my living room until Chromecast Audio Groups became a thing.
My setup (in my renovation thread) was entirely hardwired, with inputs for individual rooms, but switchable to a distribution amplifier too, to keep costs to a minimum, but I'm now swapping everything over to Chromecast. I have one plugged one into the surround sound amp's Aux input and that's brought the living room onto the grid now.
I would say you just need your builder to fit speakers and run wires back to a central point, you can then put whatever kit you go for in there. But look at Chromecast Audio.
My setup (in my renovation thread) was entirely hardwired, with inputs for individual rooms, but switchable to a distribution amplifier too, to keep costs to a minimum, but I'm now swapping everything over to Chromecast. I have one plugged one into the surround sound amp's Aux input and that's brought the living room onto the grid now.
I would say you just need your builder to fit speakers and run wires back to a central point, you can then put whatever kit you go for in there. But look at Chromecast Audio.
Heartworm said:
They will pre-wire only (And it is a lot cheaper than I Thought it would be!
System they offer is multi room using Sonance C6R speakers everywhere but they haven't specified the controller. It won't allow for using the living room speakers for the TV which is important, as I want this to be proper surround sound when TV in use but use the speakers for music when not being used for the TV - we are both huge music fans.
Would there be something like a Russound AB3.2 Automatic A/B Speaker Switch that works with the 5.1, is it worth going for a 7.1?
It will be a fully wired system so not sure SONOS is the best way to go either as they seem to be pushing wireless, but there app for control seems to be one of the best.
We provide Systemline S7 and Q Acoustics speakers. It can do the standard multi room with in wall keypads, full app control (on par with Sonos in my opinion) and you can also connect every TV for TV sound with auto switching etc. So it ticks all your boxes. Based on 4 zones of Sonos to 4 zones of Systemline (like for like without keypads, TV modules or 5.1 link) it's only £400 more expensive. This includes a music server you can rip CD's to (and play at FLAC, 4 x quality of MP3)System they offer is multi room using Sonance C6R speakers everywhere but they haven't specified the controller. It won't allow for using the living room speakers for the TV which is important, as I want this to be proper surround sound when TV in use but use the speakers for music when not being used for the TV - we are both huge music fans.
Would there be something like a Russound AB3.2 Automatic A/B Speaker Switch that works with the 5.1, is it worth going for a 7.1?
It will be a fully wired system so not sure SONOS is the best way to go either as they seem to be pushing wireless, but there app for control seems to be one of the best.
The kit is here;
http://kitchenbathroomradio.co.uk/multi-room-audio...
We don't sell it directly online but there are options for self install still, give me a shout if we can be of help. Id certainly recommend looking into it as it seems to cover all your requirements.
paulrockliffe said:
It sounds like you want to use Chromecast Audio rather than Sonos. Your use-case is the same as mine, I didn't put ceiling speakers in my living room as I was planning to use the surround sound amplifier. I then forgot to run the wires from my central hub to the surround sound amp, so didn't have multi-room in my living room until Chromecast Audio Groups became a thing.
My setup (in my renovation thread) was entirely hardwired, with inputs for individual rooms, but switchable to a distribution amplifier too, to keep costs to a minimum, but I'm now swapping everything over to Chromecast. I have one plugged one into the surround sound amp's Aux input and that's brought the living room onto the grid now.
I would say you just need your builder to fit speakers and run wires back to a central point, you can then put whatever kit you go for in there. But look at Chromecast Audio.
Have you found auto-sensing amps to use with Chromecast Audio? I have switched totally from Sonos to Chromecast Audio now and I have found it much better in terms of cost and reliability, but if I was going the ceiling speaker route with wired zones, I think I might still go for the Sonos Connect Amp unless I can find an auto sensing alternative.My setup (in my renovation thread) was entirely hardwired, with inputs for individual rooms, but switchable to a distribution amplifier too, to keep costs to a minimum, but I'm now swapping everything over to Chromecast. I have one plugged one into the surround sound amp's Aux input and that's brought the living room onto the grid now.
I would say you just need your builder to fit speakers and run wires back to a central point, you can then put whatever kit you go for in there. But look at Chromecast Audio.
kingston12 said:
Have you found auto-sensing amps to use with Chromecast Audio? I have switched totally from Sonos to Chromecast Audio now and I have found it much better in terms of cost and reliability, but if I was going the ceiling speaker route with wired zones, I think I might still go for the Sonos Connect Amp unless I can find an auto sensing alternative.
I have 2 x auto sensing options but they're bloody expensive. Cheaper to buy a Sonos.Still looking for a cost effective alternative though as it'd be great for use with chrome cast / airport express etc.
No, to be honest I didn't know auto sensing was a thing until someone mentioned it up above!
I have one PSU supplying 6 cheap Lepai 12v amps. When I have time I was going to look at rigging up a relay system to trigger the power to the PSU, but I haven't given it much thought yet. Alternative is to rig up a switch that can be fired from the phone, buy that's not as neat. I do know how to do that though, there's a programme called Pi Re lay that does it with a raspberry Pi, but it's not been developed at all now and is clunky.
I have one PSU supplying 6 cheap Lepai 12v amps. When I have time I was going to look at rigging up a relay system to trigger the power to the PSU, but I haven't given it much thought yet. Alternative is to rig up a switch that can be fired from the phone, buy that's not as neat. I do know how to do that though, there's a programme called Pi Re lay that does it with a raspberry Pi, but it's not been developed at all now and is clunky.
MrSparks said:
We provide Systemline S7 and Q Acoustics speakers. It can do the standard multi room with in wall keypads, full app control (on par with Sonos in my opinion) and you can also connect every TV for TV sound with auto switching etc. So I t t ticks all your boxes. Based on 4 zones of Sonos to 4 zones of Systemline (like for like without keypads, TV modules or 5.1 link) it's only £400 more expensive. This includes a music server you can rip CD's to (and play at FLAC, 4 x quality of MP3)
The kit is here;
http://kitchenbathroomradio.co.uk/multi-room-audio...
We don't sell it directly online but there are options for self install still, give me a shout if we can be of help. Id certainly recommend looking into it as it seems to cover all your requirements.
Edit:don't think the pm is working yet! The kit is here;
http://kitchenbathroomradio.co.uk/multi-room-audio...
We don't sell it directly online but there are options for self install still, give me a shout if we can be of help. Id certainly recommend looking into it as it seems to cover all your requirements.
This seems like a serious option, I like it but it looks like it could possibly turn out to be more expensive than SONOS, is it possible to add a wireless speaker later if it was wanted?
I will drop you a PM in the morning, I think I am a lot closer to knowing what I want now, but I think I would need a 5-zone which escalates the price, although I could add the 2nd controller later
I like the look of the chromecast but it seems its very much WiFi based and would prefer a wired solution at the moment.
Edited by Heartworm on Tuesday 9th February 22:35
I run a company which does this (not touting for business!). I would definitely just go prewire and then install Sonos after the event. In your surround sound room just use a Sonos connect as a source. I would also go different ceiling speakers - if you can get the prewire people to leave holes cut to size then fitting the speakers is a piece of cake.
The other solutions aren't as user friendly - might be fine if you are an IT consultant who lives alone but if you are not particularly techy and need wife acceptance factor then you will struggle to beat Sonos.
Go and have a play - Richer Sounds normally have Sonos kit set up in a demo room.
Just my 2p.
The other solutions aren't as user friendly - might be fine if you are an IT consultant who lives alone but if you are not particularly techy and need wife acceptance factor then you will struggle to beat Sonos.
Go and have a play - Richer Sounds normally have Sonos kit set up in a demo room.
Just my 2p.
No one here has mentioned the Denon Heos system, it is reported to be better than Sonos in terms of audio performance, but the app is just slightly behind. I am desperately trying to find a project that is suitable for me to try it in, most people want Sonos.
Denon Heos have Amps, Players, Portable Devices (including battery powered), 5.1 Amps, Soundbars and even a 4 room - multiroom box.
Agree with the choice of speaker, the one mentioned is the lowest end of the Sonance range, its a contractor speaker. The rest of their Visual Performance range is very good and we use the range a lot of the time.
V.
Denon Heos have Amps, Players, Portable Devices (including battery powered), 5.1 Amps, Soundbars and even a 4 room - multiroom box.
Agree with the choice of speaker, the one mentioned is the lowest end of the Sonance range, its a contractor speaker. The rest of their Visual Performance range is very good and we use the range a lot of the time.
V.
I don't know the S7 system, need to look into it if for nothing else just to understand it.
What I cant see from the website (with some glaring spelling mistakes) is how the keypads wire into the system.
One of my pet hates from the previous generation of the Systemline Multiroom systems is the way they have to be wired. It used to make it a unique and proprietary wire. Not knocking the S7 system as I don't know it specifically, I just don't like projects tied to products by wiring.
MrSparks, can you comment?
V.
What I cant see from the website (with some glaring spelling mistakes) is how the keypads wire into the system.
One of my pet hates from the previous generation of the Systemline Multiroom systems is the way they have to be wired. It used to make it a unique and proprietary wire. Not knocking the S7 system as I don't know it specifically, I just don't like projects tied to products by wiring.
MrSparks, can you comment?
V.
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