| Columns Retired Columns & Blogs |
January 24, 2012 - 10:45am
#1
Whole House Audio- What do I need?
| Loudspeakers Amplification Digital Sources | |
Analog Sources Accessories Featured | |
Music Columns Retired Columns | |
Show Reports | |
Features Latest News Community | |
Resources Subscriptions |
© 2024 StereophileAVTech Media Americas Inc., USA
All rights reserved
Movies or music?
Two channel or multichannel?
How many rooms?
Home theater in a particular room or rooms?
Stereo in a particular room or rooms?
Wired or wireless?
Listening preferences? THX compliant for movies? Types of music? Required sound levels?
Budget?
You are taking on a big task if you are new to this. Good Luck!
Music
Two Channel/Multi
say 4-6
No
Stereo/Music Server will be in a closet
Either/Or: Probably wired as it will be cheaper
Progressive Rock/ Classic Rock/most rock/ DMB/ Classical/ pretty broad range. Only required sound level is loud haha. But seriously, no real sound level requirements.
Budget: Let's say I know I won't be able to buy everything all at once, but budget isn't a real constraint. I know I'll have to piece everything together as I can afford them/find them/ get them.
I guess what I'm looking for are what types of components I'm going to need and what types of brands to look for. I have an extensive background in IT and some very very very minor exposure to audio.
100 wpc stereo receiver with a Niles SSVC-6 speaker selector with volume controls. I had a pair of speakers in six rooms, but could only control the selection and volume for each room where my stereo components were located (in the basement). I strung 14 gauge wire throughout the house, mostly through the floor to the first floor and through the cold air return ducts to the upper floor. It worked well for what I used it for, mostly listening to music in a single room and multiple rooms on the first floor during gatherings.
There are newer wireless technologies that may actually be cost competitive with a Niles box and a bunch of wire, and that provide more configuration and use flexibility.