Multi-zone set up

[BHay]

Question; I have a 3600 square foot house- two levels. I want three zones on main level possibly 4 down the road( currently the living room will have surround sound 5.1, then kitchen (4 speakers) and master bed (2 speakers) will be other two zones. Then I will have three zones downstairs possibly 4 down the road (living room downstairs will also have surround sound 5.1, then kids area (2 speakers) and exterior (2 speakers) will be other two zones. How would I go about powering/wiring this... I want to be able to control all these areas at the same time for music, but also be able to watch things independently. I also want to be able to listen to different music at each area. I don't want volume controls and basically want to do it all via phones/apps from a receiver or two. All the walls are open so running all the wire to one location is not a problem. Currently I have thought about running wire to both living rooms (main living room and downstairs living room) and doing two receivers with three zones in each of these areas. But is there a way to connect these two receivers or am I missing something that would make this easier? Also, what if I want to add a 4th zone to each one of these receivers? Any help and advice would be greatly appreciated. Also, don't know much about this type of thing so may need a little help with the lingo. THX in advance.

 

[everettT]

A budget would be helpful. For control purposes, I'd keep the zones separate for the 5ch systems with a multizone preamp and amp (You can tie some of the sources together if needed) . How do you intend on controlling the systems? Do you need the local zones to have video options?

 

[BHay]

A budget would be helpful. For control purposes, I'd keep the zones separate for the 5ch systems with a multizone preamp and amp (You can tie some of the sources together if needed) . How do you intend on controlling the systems? Do you need the local zones to have video options?

I was thinking two different receivers?? One up and one down. Looks like marantz, dennon, etc. have receivers under $1000 that do three zones and have an app to control volumes and different zones. But I would like to have it all tied together. Speakers are already purchased. Klipsch 1650 in ceiling. Don't think I'll need video options other than at surround sound areas, but might be nice just in case?

 

[WaynePflughaupt]

A/V receivers aren’t really designed for controlling a complicated system like this. I’d suggest contacting a whole-house specialist like Home Theater Direct. I expect that your $1000 budget is going to fall way short. Add video to the equation and you're solidly in the realm of commercial equipment. Read $$$$.

Regards,
Wayne A. Pflughaupt

 

[BHay]

A/V receivers aren’t really designed for controlling a complicated system like this. I’d suggest contacting a whole-house specialist like Home Theater Direct. I expect that your $1000 budget is going to fall way short. Add video to the equation and you're solidly in the realm of commercial equipment. Read $$$$.

Regards,
Wayne A. Pflughaupt

Ya, I wasn't saying $1000 is my budget. I was just saying that I've seen 3 zone receivers for under $1000 that have remote apps that control volume and zones each independently and/or together. Two of those in each area would take care of three zones each...but is there a way to sinc these together so they are all controllable? or is their something I'm not aware of?

 

[WaynePflughaupt]

but is there a way to sinc these together so they are all controllable?

Highly unlikely.

or is their something I'm not aware of?

Yes. This:

A/V receivers aren’t really designed for controlling a complicated system like this. I’d suggest contacting a whole-house specialist like Home Theater Direct.

Regards,
Wayne A. Pflughaupt

 

[everettT]

On the control answer, are you the only one controlling the system? What about your wife, guests etc. An app is nice but what about when you don't have your phone or tablet? Wayne is spot on , these type of systems should be well thought out.

Edit: still a budget is needed to at least give options. Keeping the whole house and the multi channels separated gives much more flexibility. Multizone AVRs can and do have draw backs for more than two zones and more than 4 speakers total. Keep in mind that most AVRs don't provide additional DACs for multizone so running analog is a must and should be the first option. Some denon and Marantz can do multizone digital sources but not at the under 1k retail. Consider the zones as a separate as they are. If you're not sure which way your going to go , run cat5 x2 to each zone.