maybe if you had someone with experience do the install, you would have thought different. Proper audio distribution can make a difference, if it didnt id be broke. Are there budget options, sure. Most people haven't had the pleasure of a truly integrated system. That level of control with in wall, in ceiling speakers isnt truly appreciated untill you work with it . If your customers went with the bare minimum AC system, they might be satisfied, but are they better off ? Never discount the possibilities..
Hey you don't have to convince me, I am just stating my opinion. My install was done with someone that has experience, he's a master electrician with tons of control experience {"real" controls not just home automation and security, he wired the TWO- 400amp 3 phase panels at my shop as well as all the invertor gens and pumps on my lots, there are 4 companies in the state capable of doing that work}, when we were building houses he was doing all of our electrical work, he has a showroom and specializes in automation, security, smart homes, ect.... He wired all of my tikki torches {I can turn them on with my iphone}, my pool sprayers, my power blinds, fans, ect that can all be ran from my iphone, it all works great... BUT he says "with whole house audio simple is better", I am just sharing my experience and agree with him, my complicated system was just that, harder to use, more expensive, and prone to failure....
I understand what you are saying with the bare minimum HVAC system, BUT, its true in my field too.. I always explain to my customers, spending more will get your more of everything, more energy savings, more impressive looking system, ect BUT also be prepared for more initial costs, more service headaches, more difficult repairs, more expensive parts, more break downs.. The truth of the matter is a 13 seer std 410a A/C system will cool your house the same as a 21 seer variable speed system but it will cost 4 times as much to install, 5 times as much to repair, and last 1/2 as long... You make the decision for your self..... I still sell a lot of high efficiency systems, people with very large homes, people who dont care about money they just want the best, ect.. But the normal, smart, thrifty, people go with the basic systems, $4K installed vs $14K, the house is still cold in the summer, any tech can fix it, any supply house carries the parts, and it will last a very long time because its just a simple relay, capacitor, scroll compressor, condenser, and coil, no 3 way reversing valves, no triple acting relays, 30 prong circuit boards, exotic refrigerants, oversized compressors, ect, ect, ect, ect...
My point is this, you can buy an amp, selector, speakers, volume controls, and cables for around $800 all said and done, simple to wire, simple to use, simple to diagnose in the case of an issue and it is going to sound as good if not better {speakers being the same of course} than any complicated digitally controlled multi ch/zone amp system costing $5K+..
As far as ease of use, I setup at home shows and always check out the guys with their home control systems... These guys make a business out of low voltage wiring, and nothing wrong with that, my 15 year old can do it, but more power to them... I see the products and they just don't do anything for me, I'll admit I was fooled before. But now here is what I think..
I control my driveway gate, 4 garage doors, driveway lights, front hall light, rear hall light, garage lights, and porch lights from a simple Liftmaster MyQ system {$200 depending on how much you want to do}.
I watch my video system from my iphone {separate system tied into my alarm system}
I can answer my door bell intercom from my cell phone
all of the above equipment is separate and works awesome never have issues with any of it.. My automation system has changed 3 times since I built my house, finsially I think we are done messing with it, but I bet I spent $20K in devices I dont use or broke... The system we have now for the pool lighting, tikki torches, ect, it all works good, but I wish I could do it with the simple myQ garage door opener stuff.. Because when you start adding a bunch of crap to something that is what you end up with...
I hit the zone 2 on button on my avr remote, I push play on a cd or mp3, and I can play music anywhere inside or outside my house.. Sure its one source, but I never needed more than that.... If I was going to do all separate sources, I would just put an apa 150in each rooms closet and a 3.5mm plug or dock in the wall...
Anyway to answer your question, yes IMO a customer that goes with a 13 seer ac system vs a variable speed 21+seer high efficiency system is "better off"...
