Speaker Selector Box/volume control

[ptdtravel]

I'm looking to run from a preamp out on a Denon 3310 to a powered amplifier (not purchased yet), then to a speaker selector box with volume (also not purchased yet) to run 2 sets of outdoor speakers. The first set of speakers is on a deck just outside the audio room so I was going to use volume control on the SSB to control volume but the second set is further away from the house on a patio so I was going to install an external volume control for them. Is it a problem that I would be going thru an SSB with volume control and running from there to an external volume control before going to the speakers??????????? Thanks so much for your help.

 

[highfigh]

I'm looking to run from a preamp out on a Denon 3310 to a powered amplifier (not purchased yet), then to a speaker selector box with volume (also not purchased yet) to run 2 sets of outdoor speakers. The first set of speakers is on a deck just outside the audio room so I was going to use volume control on the SSB to control volume but the second set is further away from the house on a patio so I was going to install an external volume control for them. Is it a problem that I would be going thru an SSB with volume control and running from there to an external volume control before going to the speakers??????????? Thanks so much for your help.

If you use a selector at the equipment end, there's no reason for it to have volume control. You also don't want to run one volume control into another.

 

[BMXTRIX]

I think he wants to have volume control outside near the speakers that are nowhere near the house (local control) so that he can adjust the speakers in a place where he can actually hear the speakers.

While this isn't necessary, it certainly makes sense to want to do it this way.

I guess my question would be then why not just be consistent and install two volume controls? One near each set of speakers which you want to control and then put in a speaker selector without a volume control in it?

If you really want both the volume control outside by the far speakers and the near speakers controlled by the speaker selector by the receiver, then this shouldn't be an issue really. I would recommend that you leave the volume control for the far speakers turned up all the way inside the house and then only adjust volume at the outdoor location. Don't mix and match to maintain best quality.

 

[highfigh]

I think he wants to have volume control outside near the speakers that are nowhere near the house (local control) so that he can adjust the speakers in a place where he can actually hear the speakers.

While this isn't necessary, it certainly makes sense to want to do it this way.

I guess my question would be then why not just be consistent and install two volume controls? One near each set of speakers which you want to control and then put in a speaker selector without a volume control in it?

If you really want both the volume control outside by the far speakers and the near speakers controlled by the speaker selector by the receiver, then this shouldn't be an issue really. I would recommend that you leave the volume control for the far speakers turned up all the way inside the house and then only adjust volume at the outdoor location. Don't mix and match to maintain best quality.

I understand what he wants to do but passive volume controls isn't the best way for this. If the one near the equipment is turned down, the one outside won't make it any louder than the first one will allow. Then, someone has to go inside to adjust it anyway. That negates any convenience.

I don't see a reason to control the volume from the equipment end- if it needs to be changed, someone at the speaker end can do it and if nobody is out there but they need to be adjusted, why not just turn them off at the equipment end? Muting volume controls are a good thing- they turn on only when the user presses the button (mute/unmute) and turn off when the system is turned off. They also stay off until the mute/unmute button is pressed after the system is turned on. If needed, an off switch can be located at the equipment end and that would be as simple as a momentary single pole, single throw (SPST) push-button switch that breaks the contact from the wall wart power supply.

 

[BMXTRIX]

I understand what he wants to do but passive volume controls isn't the best way for this. If the one near the equipment is turned down, the one outside won't make it any louder than the first one will allow. Then, someone has to go inside to adjust it anyway. That negates any convenience.

I don't see a reason to control the volume from the equipment end- if it needs to be changed, someone at the speaker end can do it and if nobody is out there but they need to be adjusted, why not just turn them off at the equipment end? Muting volume controls are a good thing- they turn on only when the user presses the button (mute/unmute) and turn off when the system is turned off. They also stay off until the mute/unmute button is pressed after the system is turned on. If needed, an off switch can be located at the equipment end and that would be as simple as a momentary single pole, single throw (SPST) push-button switch that breaks the contact from the wall wart power supply.

Oh no, I agree. The best way to do volume controls is to put one in each location where they are needed. If there is a desire for one zone to have a volume control inside for zone one (the near speakers) and another volume control outside near zone 2, then I would probaby go with a speaker selector box without volume control, and put in a single volume control somewhere inside near the selector box, and the other volume control outside near zone 2 where they want it.

I'm not sure really why it doesn't make more sense to simply put a volume control outside near each of the two zones, then just use those volume controls as appropriate and the speaker selector to turn the two zones on and off.

 

[ptdtravel]

Thanks. The cables are already run for the deck speakers while the house was under construction and I have no way to run to a volume control first. Very often we will look to play the deck at a low volume while having full volume on the patio. This was the only way I could figure to do this but I was concerned about wiring thru two volume controls.

 

[highfigh]

Thanks. The cables are already run for the deck speakers while the house was under construction and I have no way to run to a volume control first. Very often we will look to play the deck at a low volume while having full volume on the patio. This was the only way I could figure to do this but I was concerned about wiring thru two volume controls.

Look in the receiver's manual for Zone 2 operation- I think that one may have continuously variable volume control for the line out, instead of in 10dB steps. If it has that, get a cheaper URC remote that uses RF and you'll be able to control which sources you listen to as well as the volume. I think some volume controls are available with IR control and since RF remotes usually need a receiver/base station to send the IR commands, you would be able to adjust each volume control separately. The URC RF receiver that does this is the MRF-260 and it has assignable outputs. The MX-450 is a good choice for the remote.

 

[BMXTRIX]

I guess that is an option as well.

Denon 3310CI

ZONE 2 OUT: To amplifier #1 - Powers the speakers which are on the deck (near)
ZONE 3 OUT: To amplifier #2 to volume control

Zone 2 of the Denon 3310 has variable volume control integrated and acts as a true stereo preamp. Heck, if you have only a 5.1 setup in the room, then the extra 2 channels of amplification can be dedicated to your deck speakers if you would like.

Zone 3 of the Denon 3310 is fixed audio line level which can be fed directly into an amplifier then onto the volume control.

The upside of this is that you don't need a speaker selector box at all. The other upside is that you get discrete amplifier power to both zones. The downside, perhaps, is that you may need to get two amplifiers - which isn't a huge price issue considering that you don't need the speaker selector box.

The other big plus, as (kind of) mentioned, is that you could get an RF remote control if you wanted and control the source selection, and the source itself, from outside as you wanted to. Very cool to be able to do that if you want.

I would almost definitely go that route.