Full house TV/Audio set up - custom assistance
Discussion
Would appreciate some expert PH advice; I want to enter the 21st Century in tech terms (owning one 9yr old TV currently) with the purchase of an excellent TV (highly likely the Panasonic P50VT50) - which in turn forms a core element of a wider integrated house system. This would need to incorporate the following in an older, period property
- from a TV audio perspective, a good quality set of surround sound/cinema sound speakers. This won't be "home cinema" in its truest sense as I don't want a 60"+ screen, but quality sound is important (Sonos sound bar?).
- from a wider audio perspective, (discrete) installation of quality wireless speakers in certain rooms of the house (Bowers and Wilkins appear to have some quality options) to allow music to stream wirelessly from an existing Apple Mac which contains our digital music library.
- capacity for different audio to be played in different rooms concurrently.
I have had a good look online here and got a little lost to be honest. Sonos seems to be a leading light in multi-room audio (and in the TV audio), but feedback on this would be good.
I would be looking for a provider to ideally work with me on the installation - so a well respected outfit who were not going to charge the earth but would provide quality service specific to the house/rooms. Sevenoaks seem to offer this service, but as do Richer Sounds etc. Thoughts appreciated.
There would be no need for a separate CD/radio unit given the Mac could handle both (albeit I accept not the same sound quality I am sure).
Many thanks for any input. Any indications of cost of this (excl TV) with wireless audio over app 6-8 rooms would also help.
- from a TV audio perspective, a good quality set of surround sound/cinema sound speakers. This won't be "home cinema" in its truest sense as I don't want a 60"+ screen, but quality sound is important (Sonos sound bar?).
- from a wider audio perspective, (discrete) installation of quality wireless speakers in certain rooms of the house (Bowers and Wilkins appear to have some quality options) to allow music to stream wirelessly from an existing Apple Mac which contains our digital music library.
- capacity for different audio to be played in different rooms concurrently.
I have had a good look online here and got a little lost to be honest. Sonos seems to be a leading light in multi-room audio (and in the TV audio), but feedback on this would be good.
I would be looking for a provider to ideally work with me on the installation - so a well respected outfit who were not going to charge the earth but would provide quality service specific to the house/rooms. Sevenoaks seem to offer this service, but as do Richer Sounds etc. Thoughts appreciated.
There would be no need for a separate CD/radio unit given the Mac could handle both (albeit I accept not the same sound quality I am sure).
Many thanks for any input. Any indications of cost of this (excl TV) with wireless audio over app 6-8 rooms would also help.
I hope to be playing with a Sonos Play:TV this week. But I am sure it sounds acceptable/good but I am very sceptical of its use as a main system due to the chronic lack of inputs.
Depending on budget, there is a good range of alternatives.
Where are you based, there are a couple of us CI installers here that could be able to visit / support locally.
V.
Depending on budget, there is a good range of alternatives.
Where are you based, there are a couple of us CI installers here that could be able to visit / support locally.
V.
There's a generous theme here and my thoughts are the same... Sonos!
Strange that you mentioned the Play Bar but then mentioned other wireless speakers for other rooms. Sonos all round is the way to go, I'd go so far as to say that you'd miss out on so much if you only had one Sonos device.
An ideal setup might include a proper home cinema amp and speakers plus the Sonos Connect and then either the play 3 or 5 in other rooms or a Connect Amp plus integrated speakers.
That's exactly what I have planned for my house.
Strange that you mentioned the Play Bar but then mentioned other wireless speakers for other rooms. Sonos all round is the way to go, I'd go so far as to say that you'd miss out on so much if you only had one Sonos device.
An ideal setup might include a proper home cinema amp and speakers plus the Sonos Connect and then either the play 3 or 5 in other rooms or a Connect Amp plus integrated speakers.
That's exactly what I have planned for my house.
MagicalTrevor said:
Strange that you mentioned the Play Bar but then mentioned other wireless speakers for other rooms. Sonos all round is the way to go, I'd go so far as to say that you'd miss out on so much if you only had one Sonos device.
Thats because I am a complete novice at this! 
Ultimately, audio in multiple rooms is the primary focus and I only mentioned the Sound Bar as it looked a quality product. As others have pointed out, a more complete sound of discrete surround-sound speakers in any living room/home cinema area may be the better option. Mustang Baz said:
Thats because I am a complete novice at this! Ultimately, audio in multiple rooms is the primary focus and I only mentioned the Sound Bar as it looked a quality product. As others have pointed out, a more complete sound of discrete surround-sound speakers in any living room/home cinema area may be the better option.
Ah ok Ultimately, audio in multiple rooms is the primary focus and I only mentioned the Sound Bar as it looked a quality product. As others have pointed out, a more complete sound of discrete surround-sound speakers in any living room/home cinema area may be the better option. I can see that there are plenty of specialists on here who'll be able to help you. I'd say you're definitely going down the right route with Sonos though. Sonos have quite a few videos, that show you how easy it is, on their website.
Whilst I'm here, if any PHers would like to sell me a Connect or Play:3 then I'm looking to buy one. I'd rather buy from a PHer so PM me and I'll get in touch. Ta
I'm just planning whole house audio in my new build. It will be Sonos all the way.
I'm going ceiling speakers anyway with a proper 5.1 amp but, as a retrofit, I thought the soundbar seemed good, especially with the Sonos sub.
My local audio place are suggesting SpeakerCraft in-ceiling speakers. Anyone got any experience with these?
I'm going ceiling speakers anyway with a proper 5.1 amp but, as a retrofit, I thought the soundbar seemed good, especially with the Sonos sub.
My local audio place are suggesting SpeakerCraft in-ceiling speakers. Anyone got any experience with these?
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