How Should a Chap Wire This Up?
Discussion
I've got speakers spread over my house, each pair is capable of connecting to my server independently (XBMC on Raspberry Pi + Yatse on my phone for control). As such, I have an amplifier for each pair and I have connection points for the sources in the rooms. Everything is wired back to a common point to allow flexibility, so anything can be wired to anything if necessary.
Now, I also have a number of common sources, (An XBMC source, an RCA based dock and possibly a bluetooth connection) that I want to be able to send to any and all the speakers. Each pair of speakers will be switched between either the local source or the common source.
I can either take the common source and split it before the amplifiers, then each amplifier amplifies the signal to the speakers. Or I can use a separate amplifier to run the common source to each set of speakers. I *think* the issues with each setup are dilution of the unamplified signal could cause quality issues post-amplifier vs 12 x 4ohm speakers running off an amplifier designed for 2 x 8 ohm. Possibly a pre-amp would be a solution.
This isn't really something I know too much about, so would appreciate some advice.
Thanks.
Now, I also have a number of common sources, (An XBMC source, an RCA based dock and possibly a bluetooth connection) that I want to be able to send to any and all the speakers. Each pair of speakers will be switched between either the local source or the common source.
I can either take the common source and split it before the amplifiers, then each amplifier amplifies the signal to the speakers. Or I can use a separate amplifier to run the common source to each set of speakers. I *think* the issues with each setup are dilution of the unamplified signal could cause quality issues post-amplifier vs 12 x 4ohm speakers running off an amplifier designed for 2 x 8 ohm. Possibly a pre-amp would be a solution.
This isn't really something I know too much about, so would appreciate some advice.
Thanks.
I've already fitted and wired the speakers, so Sonos isn't an option. I did look at it, but it's very expensive when you compare it to the cost of putting the wires in when the floors are up.
I've got everything working, I just haven't done the final fix and switching in the plant room as I don't know which is the best way to wire everything with the sharing of a source.
I've got everything working, I just haven't done the final fix and switching in the plant room as I don't know which is the best way to wire everything with the sharing of a source.
Either and both. I have separate amps for each speaker set, but when taking a single source to each set of speakers I don't know whether it's best to run it through a single amp or the other amps? I'm leaning towards using the individual amps, but I don't know what the best way to split the source to each amp is?
Use individual amps, then you wont run the risk of blowing amps but overloading the output stage of the speakers with combined load.
Are you using the amps to control volume or adjusting the input level?
If the input level is staying fixed (this is the ideal) and the amps are adjusting the volume.
Then have a look at line level splitters / pre-amp's at Keene Electronics.
V.
Are you using the amps to control volume or adjusting the input level?
If the input level is staying fixed (this is the ideal) and the amps are adjusting the volume.
Then have a look at line level splitters / pre-amp's at Keene Electronics.
V.
No, I'm adjusting volume at the source and using the amplifiers volume control to balance the volume across the different rooms and to set the rough operating range.
I appreciate that this isn't ideal, but I have remote control over the source volume, but not the amplifier volume.
What do you recommend in that case?
I appreciate that this isn't ideal, but I have remote control over the source volume, but not the amplifier volume.
What do you recommend in that case?
Thats going to be a problem then.
line level, pre-amps and distribution amps are designed for a fixed level in and out-put they are not really designed to be adjustable as this kills signal quality.
You could try one of these, I have just used 3 of its video brothers in a lift system in London for 12 TV's in 6 lifts. Worked really well for what I needed (fixed output), but it is just how they respond to a variable input, ie do the outputs follow the input.
http://www.keene.co.uk/electronic/kramer/1x5-stere...
V.
line level, pre-amps and distribution amps are designed for a fixed level in and out-put they are not really designed to be adjustable as this kills signal quality.
You could try one of these, I have just used 3 of its video brothers in a lift system in London for 12 TV's in 6 lifts. Worked really well for what I needed (fixed output), but it is just how they respond to a variable input, ie do the outputs follow the input.
http://www.keene.co.uk/electronic/kramer/1x5-stere...
V.
I can go the other way and use a single amplifier to drive the speakers if it's possible to get one that's OK for multiple speakers? I'd rather avoid spending £100 if possible, given that I'm currently on £15 a speaker and £10 an amplifier, so a very cheap setup.
I'm tempted to just duplicate the input with a chocbox connector and see what happens to the quality, any idea?
I'm tempted to just duplicate the input with a chocbox connector and see what happens to the quality, any idea?
Is there not a fixed amplifier that I can get to multiply the signal so that 1v / 6 sources *6 = 1v?
Mind you it could probably do with something slightly more sophisticated as it would be unusual for all sets of speakers to be running at the same time.
I'm right in thinking that the voltage of the source varies with volume, would it go from 0v to 1v?
Mind you it could probably do with something slightly more sophisticated as it would be unusual for all sets of speakers to be running at the same time.
I'm right in thinking that the voltage of the source varies with volume, would it go from 0v to 1v?
My man is on holiday this week, so it's down to me unfortunately....
That's useful, any recommended (ie inexpensive) bits of kit to look at? I'll have a google of it when I get home later and see if there's anything on eBay.
Yes, it's all wired back to one point. It's probably complete over-kill, but I tend to get carried away with these things. (See the 12 satellite feeds from two dishes to 8 outlet multiplex...)
That's useful, any recommended (ie inexpensive) bits of kit to look at? I'll have a google of it when I get home later and see if there's anything on eBay.
Yes, it's all wired back to one point. It's probably complete over-kill, but I tend to get carried away with these things. (See the 12 satellite feeds from two dishes to 8 outlet multiplex...)
To Be honest Sonos connect amps are the way to go. That way you have the flexibility to do what you want.
But as you are on a budget i suspect the connect amps are out of the question.
£15 per speaker????? your obviously not wanting a decent sound.. Also could a £10 Amp drive said speakers over the distances of your cables?
A Matrix is the way to go for you plus the amps for each zone. Again the matrix is going to be the costly part.
You will soon learn that to achieve decent results you need a bigger budget as i have seen a few "home jobs" like this which resulted in us ripping it all out and doing it properly.
Sorry to be blunt but having champagne ideas and beer money aint gonna cut it..
But as you are on a budget i suspect the connect amps are out of the question.
£15 per speaker????? your obviously not wanting a decent sound.. Also could a £10 Amp drive said speakers over the distances of your cables?
A Matrix is the way to go for you plus the amps for each zone. Again the matrix is going to be the costly part.
You will soon learn that to achieve decent results you need a bigger budget as i have seen a few "home jobs" like this which resulted in us ripping it all out and doing it properly.
Sorry to be blunt but having champagne ideas and beer money aint gonna cut it..
paulrockliffe said:
Is there not a fixed amplifier that I can get to multiply the signal so that 1v / 6 sources *6 = 1v?
Mind you it could probably do with something slightly more sophisticated as it would be unusual for all sets of speakers to be running at the same time.
I'm right in thinking that the voltage of the source varies with volume, would it go from 0v to 1v?
Yes, the one I linked you to.Mind you it could probably do with something slightly more sophisticated as it would be unusual for all sets of speakers to be running at the same time.
I'm right in thinking that the voltage of the source varies with volume, would it go from 0v to 1v?
Or have a look on the rest of the Keene site for one that is their own version, they should track whatever the input does.
Tox, the main problem is OP doesn't have control of the matrix / amps just the source from what I can understand.
V.
Salesy said:
To Be honest Sonos connect amps are the way to go. That way you have the flexibility to do what you want.
But as you are on a budget i suspect the connect amps are out of the question.
£15 per speaker????? your obviously not wanting a decent sound.. Also could a £10 Amp drive said speakers over the distances of your cables?
A Matrix is the way to go for you plus the amps for each zone. Again the matrix is going to be the costly part.
You will soon learn that to achieve decent results you need a bigger budget as i have seen a few "home jobs" like this which resulted in us ripping it all out and doing it properly.
Sorry to be blunt but having champagne ideas and beer money aint gonna cut it..
I've got the speakers setup with the amps, I've got a mix of Raspberry Pis and a £3 USB soundcard on my server providing audio. All of the stuff people have said will sound sBut as you are on a budget i suspect the connect amps are out of the question.
£15 per speaker????? your obviously not wanting a decent sound.. Also could a £10 Amp drive said speakers over the distances of your cables?
A Matrix is the way to go for you plus the amps for each zone. Again the matrix is going to be the costly part.
You will soon learn that to achieve decent results you need a bigger budget as i have seen a few "home jobs" like this which resulted in us ripping it all out and doing it properly.
Sorry to be blunt but having champagne ideas and beer money aint gonna cut it..
t basically. I used really cheap cable too. Sounds great as far as I can tell, though I think I'm a bit tone deaf which will help. I've not had any complaints from anyone more musically literate than me though. The sound might not be up to the standard of my cinema setup, but it's perfectly adequate for listening to music in the shower and broadcasting Radio 4 around the house. The volume is decent too, though nothing exceptional, and the quality doesn't really nose-dive at high volumes either to my untrained ear.
I'm certainly not putting Sonos stuff in just to get a sync across all the speakers when everything works perfectly well as it is.
If I can't find something conventional witout spending too much, I reckon there must be a digital solution, if I setup the Pi to broadcast over bluetooth, then paired 6 bluetooth receivers to it that would duplicate the signal wounld't it, which is all I'm after really.
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