12-Zone Multiroom Audio Install Price

**den327** · 03-03-2010, 09:57 PM

I was wondering approx. how much in labor it would cost me to have an audio contractor Wire and install 12 zones of audio throughout my new construction home. To wire all zones and speakers, install keypads,brackets,speakers and program the unit. Labor only. Thanks

**highfigh** · 03-03-2010, 11:35 PM

Originally Posted by den327

I was wondering approx. how much in labor it would cost me to have an audio contractor Wire and install 12 zones of audio throughout my new construction home. To wire all zones and speakers, install keypads,brackets,speakers and program the unit. Labor only. Thanks

There's no way to tell without doing a walk-through and knowing what equipment you plan to use. It can't be done and anyone who says they can give any kind of accurate price has either never done a system like that in its entirety or has never programmed one. Approximate price can range from a couple of thousand to tens of thousands because the programming will cost more than the installation labor and some systems take a lot longer to program, test and troubleshoot than others.

You need to be a lot more specific.

**bandphan** · 03-04-2010, 12:00 AM

^+1 and if your looking for 12 zones how much are you willing to spend and what level of control do you need. Honestly unless your versed in this, pay for a professional company to work it out

**den327** · 03-04-2010, 07:58 AM

I was thinking about going with the Russsound MCA-C5 system. Thanks for your input

**markw** · 03-04-2010, 08:01 AM

Labor rates vary with location. Your best bet is to set out, on paper, what ypu want and send it to a few local installers and see what yoou get.

**T2T** · 03-04-2010, 08:02 AM

I'm sure it also depends on which part of the country you live in, too. Labor rates for such an install are going to be higher in/near metropolitan areas and less in areas where labor rates are lower.

I don't know if your specific question can be answered here in this forum. You might want to contact a couple of local contractors to bid on the job - and, select the one at that point. Of course, you could come back here with the bids to verify that you're not getting ripped off before giving the "go ahead" on the work.

**TLS Guy** · 03-04-2010, 08:23 AM

Originally Posted by den327

I was wondering approx. how much in labor it would cost me to have an audio contractor Wire and install 12 zones of audio throughout my new construction home. To wire all zones and speakers, install keypads,brackets,speakers and program the unit. Labor only. Thanks

Think very carefully about whether you really want all home audio. It is an expensive way of getting lousy sound in every room.

There is a lot to be said for quiet zones, actually most of the house. You really don't need your ears and senses blasted everywhere you go. Just because it is possible, does not mean it should be done.

My opinion is that you are far more likely to derive pleasure from one good well set up system, than terrible sound coming at from on high all over the house.

Next issue is that everything has a point of failure, especially those type of systems. Repairs and sorting them out can be complex, and when the system fails totally and has to be replaced, you are in for major sticker shock again.

So if you think I'm telling you to run as fast as you can away from such a system, I am.

**highfigh** · 03-04-2010, 10:10 AM

Originally Posted by den327

I was thinking about going with the Russsound MCA-C5 system. Thanks for your input

The programming of a system like that has as much to do with the sources as the controller. Are you thinking of buying a system like that online and doing it yourself? Do you have any experience with programming this kind of equipment, or are you trying to decide if you really want a system like this? You need to know that asking your original question and showing only the Russound system isn't enough information to go by when determining an installation cost. The size of the house will determine how much cable is needed, the speakers will determine the amount of labor for their installation and the other equipment and options will all add to the complexity of the system. It has 8 trigger outputs which may be needed- will these be used? A system like this needs Cat5e, speaker wire, it may require junction boxes for the keypads (some localities require these). Running the cables to the KP locations without providing some way of mounting them isn't an efficient way of doing the rough-in.

In order to be more specific with answers, we need more information from you.

**BMXTRIX** · 03-04-2010, 07:34 PM

A distributed audio system can be done a number of different ways and it truly depends on the level of sophistication of your system. I will completely disagree with the poster above who was talking about lousy sound or failure as a properly designed system will last for decades without any issue at all if you have decent gear.

12 zones typically would mean two 12 channel amplifiers for discrete amplification, which will run from $1,200 to $2,000 MSRP for new amplifiers, plus your audio distribution unit (preamp), controller, and keypads.

Keypads typically take a piece of CAT-5 and speakers will typically be run with 14 gauge speaker cabling.

I would plan on about $120 for labor and wiring per speaker location plus another $70-$90 per location for the keypad.

That would include cutting in speakers, putting in back boxes for keypads, terminating keypads, and all wiring.

Keypads would be per unit pricing.
Speakers, ditto.

Programming will depend on the complexity of the keypads and the sources.

As a full example of somethign I would do with new gear:
2 amps: $1,500 (B-stock)
Crestron Controller (MC2W) - $400
Crestron Power Supply: $100
Crestron 12 button keypads (12): $1,200
Crestron PAD8 preamp (2): $1,200
Speakers (your choice): About $100 pair (12 pairs): $1,200
About 1,000 feet of speaker cabling and CAT-5: $400
Misc Materials: $100
Labor: About $3500 total

Turnkey system with up to 6 individual sources available to each of 12 rooms at your choosing.

Total: (about) - $9,500 - $10,000 for a fully installed system in NEW construction (pre-drywall)

But, home size greatly impacts this as would a decision to change speakers to something nicer/cheaper. Inexpensive is $100 pair of speakers which work nicely for room/house music, but some Sonance 622TR speakers which are better will be $150 or so a pair while cheaper ones can be done for under $80 a pair and still sound perfectly fine.

I've used similar in my home and have had zero issues with my distributed audio for the last five years. One of the big things that can be done is going to a nicer amplifier setup, which costs a bit more, but can be more reliable long term.

**BMXTRIX** · 03-04-2010, 07:41 PM