Audio questions for entire house

[BeauJangles]

Hey guys,

My buddy just bought a house and I'm helping him out by figuring out the audio (I should say trying to figure it out).

Basically, I think there should be three zones -- outdoors, basement, first floor. It would be great if the audio from the basement could also be pumped to the other two zones, but also it is a requirement that we can temper the volume of the sound going outside and to the first floor. It also would be great to be able to isolate each zone and if we could have an input outdoors so that we could plug an ipod in and control it from out there.

Anybody have a good website or tips for me to get started?

Thanks.

edit: Forgot to add that I've looked at Niles and Xantech... are these good companies?

 

[aphex]

Well, I'm gonna suggest the Apple option, though i'm not 100% sure its exactly what he needs. I use the setup in my house and it works perfectly.

Airport Express in each zone, iTunes running on the main computer streaming all the music. iPod Touch (or iPhone) using Remote.app for full wireless iTunes control, album art, volume control, etc. - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7gY_ZyeLhYo

The only issue would be remote independent volume control. The Remote.app allows you to turn each 'zone' (Airport Express) independently on and off, but only allows for remote control of volume for the entire output at once (all zones). There is a program called Airfoil that can control the volume for each zone independently, but as of now there isn't a way to remotely control Airfoil (maybe soon?) - http://rogueamoeba.com/airfoil/

Worth a consideration though, I've been very happy with mine.

 

[Tiamat]

What kind of budget does he have?

For a very spendy spendy budget, he can have a fully integrated lighting, climate, music, movie, security professionally installed solution, Crestron for example.

 

[erwos]

Originally posted by: aphex
Well, I'm gonna suggest the Apple option, though i'm not 100% sure its exactly what he needs. I use the setup in my house and it works perfectly.

That's a little awkward, plus the sound quality is going to be iffy at best. Better to get an upper-end receiver with proper multi-zone support, IMHO.

 

[aphex]

Originally posted by: erwos

Originally posted by: aphex
Well, I'm gonna suggest the Apple option, though i'm not 100% sure its exactly what he needs. I use the setup in my house and it works perfectly.

That's a little awkward, plus the sound quality is going to be iffy at best. Better to get an upper-end receiver with proper multi-zone support, IMHO.

The sound quality is gonna be dependant on the receivers and speakers you use, the apple system only provides the streaming. The airport express provides a full digital stream and has an optical out.

 

[erwos]

Originally posted by: aphex

Originally posted by: erwos

Originally posted by: aphex
Well, I'm gonna suggest the Apple option, though i'm not 100% sure its exactly what he needs. I use the setup in my house and it works perfectly.

That's a little awkward, plus the sound quality is going to be iffy at best. Better to get an upper-end receiver with proper multi-zone support, IMHO.

The sound quality is gonna be dependant on the receivers and speakers you use, the apple system only provides the streaming. The airport express provides a full digital stream and has an optical out.

Ah, I didn't realize it provided optical out. In that case, you're still going to need to buy a receiver for each location. Not really an amazing deal, IMHO.

 

[aphex]

Originally posted by: erwos

Originally posted by: aphex

Originally posted by: erwos

Originally posted by: aphex
Well, I'm gonna suggest the Apple option, though i'm not 100% sure its exactly what he needs. I use the setup in my house and it works perfectly.

That's a little awkward, plus the sound quality is going to be iffy at best. Better to get an upper-end receiver with proper multi-zone support, IMHO.

The sound quality is gonna be dependant on the receivers and speakers you use, the apple system only provides the streaming. The airport express provides a full digital stream and has an optical out.

Ah, I didn't realize it provided optical out. In that case, you're still going to need to buy a receiver for each location. Not really an amazing deal, IMHO.

Well, it all depends on what works best for his situation. For me, I love the fact that I have a wireless connection to my full iTunes library and can control the stream, browse my library, & view album art from my iPhone and have it play out my computer speakers and/or stream it to the Airport Express hooked up to my home theater system in the living room. Its basically like a Sonos system, except less than half the price (though Sonos comes with a built in Amp in the ZP120).

http://www.crutchfield.com/g_3...-Packages.html?tp=7008 - Some other alternatives that are more of a built in solution, but they get pricey.

http://www.crutchfield.com/g_1...eatures|FFMulti%40room - A list of Multi-Room receivers, but then he runs into issues on how to control it from anywhere in the house.

http://www.crutchfield.com/S-L.../multiroom_remote.html And while all of those will work, you run into issues on exactly what you can see while your trying to control it (I guess this really depends on what your trying to listen to throughout the house)

The best option will really depend on a few factors;

1. What specifically he is looking to listen to in each zone?
2. How much control/visibility he wants from each zone (volume only, or full control)?
3. What type of components/speakers/setup he already has?
4. How integrated into his house structure does he want it?

The Apple solution is definitely not for everyone and far from a perfect do everything solution, but I wouldn't immediately dismiss it as an option. Also, I really wouldn't consider it prohibitively expensive considering the features you get for the price ($229 for iPod Touch, $99 or less per Airport Express) and the alternative options and their prices (Sonos systems start at $1000+)

 

[Kaido]

Sonos is pretty much the best option in existence. Each box allows inputs and they even have an amped model. I believe someone released a remote for iPhone through the AppStore as well (should work on iPod Touch too, if you don't want to buy their $300+ remote).

 

[aphex]

Originally posted by: Kaido
Sonos is pretty much the best option in existence. Each box allows inputs and they even have an amped model. I believe someone released a remote for iPhone through the AppStore as well (should work on iPod Touch too, if you don't want to buy their $300+ remote).

Sonos Remote? Wow, very cool.

 

[Plugers]

You could also use a 6.1 or 7.1 sound card as multizone on a cheap $80 Atom based ITX motherboard/music server with an apple/android app to control it. I looked into it a little, but never implemented it.

HERE is one thread talking about it.

You could also use a cheap eBay T-amp for each zone from the PC pre-outs, $45 a zone or so for amplification and one meanwell PSU (eBay) to power all three amps.

 

[Gintaras]

http://www.needledoctor.com/

 

[Modelworks]

Budget ? Are you wanting to run it all off one amp or are you looking to install multiple amps ? How far between each zone ?

 

[Plugers]

Another good DIY read.

http://sites.google.com/site/maycreates/music-server

 

[vi edit]

Ummm..this is thread necro from almost three years ago.

 

[Plugers]

Ummm..this is thread necro from almost three years ago.

Actually didn't notice until you pointed it out.