Help with my hodgepodge of equipment

[Dilbydog]

So I posted several months ago about a whole house set-up, and received some very helpful advice. However, other new home priorities have pushed A/V to the back burner. With that said we’ve been gifted a Denon AVR-1913 receiver, and the DW has asked if I can hook up the whole house audio. Her goal is to be able to pipe the TV audio into whatever room / area she’s in. Our current up consists of a Samsung TV and sound bar with wireless sub. We also have an 8 channel speaker switch that the previous owner left. Ideally, I would like to keep the sound bar and wireless sub in place until I dedicate the time and funds to a full surround sound setup for the living room. In order to meet the DW’s ask I believe I can take the two powered zone channels from the receiver to the switch. We have (7) areas that have a built in pair of ceiling mounted speakers, however I don’t see her needing to operate all (7) at once. My biggest question is how to provide hook up the receiver, tv and sound bar. All utilize HDMI ARC. Is it as simple as HDMI from the set top cable box, to the receiver. Then ARC out of the receiver to the HDMI on the TV, and then keep the ARC out from the TV to the soundbar?

Thanks Dill

 

[TheWarrior]

1) You would only get Zone2 if you do not run a 7 channel main theater.
2) It does not offer the two back channels in mono, it is only intended for a neighboring bedroom to hook a stereo up to - and it allows the 5 channel main and 2 channel Zone2 to have different inputs.
3) Either way, the amp in this receiver will not handle being hooked up to a switch, or given very long runs of cable.

What I might suggest would be to dedicate this receiver to your main theater, or just be happy with only 2 zones.

Keep your eyes peeled for sales on pro audio monitors such as the JBL 3 series or PreSonus models. You don't need an amp, and between smart phones, google chrome cast, and however many other streaming services there are, as well as your home wifi, you can very affordably connect a pair of monitors to stream the same audio in any room. This solution also does not require running cables through walls!

Otherwise, if you DO want InWall/Ceiling type installations what you would be looking for is a Distribution Amplifier. Features and number of channels brings the price up very quick!

 

[Dilbydog]

1) You would only get Zone2 if you do not run a 7 channel main theater.
2) It does not offer the two back channels in mono, it is only intended for a neighboring bedroom to hook a stereo up to - and it allows the 5 channel main and 2 channel Zone2 to have different inputs.
3) Either way, the amp in this receiver will not handle being hooked up to a switch, or given very long runs of cable.

What I might suggest would be to dedicate this receiver to your main theater, or just be happy with only 2 zones.

Keep your eyes peeled for sales on pro audio monitors such as the JBL 3 series or PreSonus models. You don't need an amp, and between smart phones, google chrome cast, and however many other streaming services there are, as well as your home wifi, you can very affordably connect a pair of monitors to stream the same audio in any room. This solution also does not require running cables through walls!

Otherwise, if you DO want InWall/Ceiling type installations what you would be looking for is a Distribution Amplifier. Features and number of channels brings the price up very quick!

Well it turns out the gifted receiver was DOA. So I’m ready to start from scratch. We have (7) areas, (5) interior rooms and (2) exterior areas each with (2) built in speakers, all with wall mounted volume control. All of these zones are currently hardwired back to an 8 channel existing speaker switch. I know this isn’t the most elegant design. What we’d like to be able to send audio from the TV and receiver to all these areas. Honestly, I don’t see when we’d have more than (3) zones active at once, but multi zone, multi source would be a nice but not absolutely necessary feature. We place a premium on connectivity, and can provide wired or wireless network access. We’re going to continue to utilize our soundbar and wireless sub for TV audio, but would like the ability to expand to 7.1 surround in the future. Any suggestions on a receiver? Do I need a stand alone amp? Can I ditch the switch?

Thanks for the help

 

[TheWarrior]

I am not familiar with using a 'speaker switch' when it comes to distributed audio.

This sounds more complicated than might be manageable on a forum. There's just too many variables!

I think my advice needs to be for you to seek out local installers to examine your system and provide you with the right solutions for your specific set up.

If you get multiple varied opinions and think something is amiss, post back!

 

[KenM10759]

Sonos, Bluesound and Heos wireless systems may be the easiest and over cheapest way out.

I like the Bluesound for overall sound quality, but it really shines in being able to play all speakers on the system with the same source, all on different sources, or have one playlist "follow" from one player or speaker to another.

 

[Dilbydog]

I am not familiar with using a 'speaker switch' when it comes to distributed audio.

This sounds more complicated than might be manageable on a forum. There's just too many variables!

I think my advice needs to be for you to seek out local installers to examine your system and provide you with the right solutions for your specific set up.

If you get multiple varied opinions and think something is amiss, post back!

If you’ll humor me with one more question. After a little more digging I’ve found that I have 7 two speaker zones each with impedance matching volume control. Two zones are exterior. All speaker wiring lands at my built in, and is currently terminated into an 8 channel stereo speaker selection switch. At this juncture I’m just interested as to how I can power this set up with a receiver and ??????

If possible I would like something a little more elegant than a speaker selection switch to change zones, but can live with it for the moment.

Thank you,
Dill

 

[TheWarrior]

If you’ll humor me with one more question. After a little more digging I’ve found that I have 7 two speaker zones each with impedance matching volume control. Two zones are exterior. All speaker wiring lands at my built in, and is currently terminated into an 8 channel stereo speaker selection switch. At this juncture I’m just interested as to how I can power this set up with a receiver and ??????

If possible I would like something a little more elegant than a speaker selection switch to change zones, but can live with it for the moment.

Thank you,
Dill

Do you have standard speaker wire, or is it a multi prong connector? What is this speaker selector - brand, model etc?

 

[panteragstk]

Do you have standard speaker wire, or is it a multi prong connector? What is this speaker selector - brand, model etc?

This is important.

I've got a monoprice switch that does impedance matching and works very well, but I wasn't doing distributed audio like you are.

Since the volume controls are already in place I'd just get a decent distribution amp and hook it to whatever sources you intend to use. Could help to give HTD a call since they specialize in the type of thing you want to do. Super nice group of people and will answer anything you could think of without you purchasing a thing.

Then when you are ready you can get a receiver for the main zone and use any additional zones to control your new distribution amp. The speaker switch is the cheapest (least safe) way to distribute audio and I'd only use it as a stop gap solution. No reason to try to work around it when it needs to go IMHO.

 

[Dilbydog]

Do you have standard speaker wire, or is it a multi prong connector? What is this speaker selector - brand, model etc?

Standard speaker wire, jacketed 4 conductor #14 to be precise. The selector switch is one of these:
http://www.oemsystems.com/speaker_selectors_sw8spkr.html

 

[TheWarrior]

Standard speaker wire, jacketed 4 conductor #14 to be precise. The selector switch is one of these:
http://www.oemsystems.com/speaker_selectors_sw8spkr.html

Definitely, ditch the switch!

As said above, what you are looking for a is quality distribution amplifier that matches the wattage and impedance ratings of your speakers. I also agree that you need to keep the distributed audio portion separate from the Main System, just keeping in mind that they still need to be able to pass inputs to each other.