I am confused what system to choose on a new house that we are building. The house is in the framing process and we met with the low-voltage contractor and wanted to get everyone's advice. The house is being designed with a two home theatre systems and an outdoor system and then 3 other zones with speakers in the ceiling for music. We are running CAT5E for and CAT6A to each TV and access points. All networking cable is being homerunned to the media cabinet in the basement. I am good with all of the network stuff but am confused on what to do with the audio/video. The plan was to have a separate audio/video cabinet in the same room with everything being homerunned to AVR in that room. However, its being recommended to use separate receivers for each of the 5.1 systems and install them closer to the TV.
Here is what we are planning
Great Room (very large room with vaulted ceiling and 77" OLED TV above a fireplace that has large windows on the side)
Monitor Audio SB-4 sound bar (no way to put in-wall speakers in the rock of the fireplace and windows are to the sides)
Monitor Audio IWS-10 in-wall sub
Monitor Audio C265-FX x2 for in-ceiling for left and right
Family Room
Large room with 10' ceilings
Monitor Audio W250-LCR x3 for left, right and center
Monitor Audio CP-CT260 x2 for left and rear
Monitor Audio in-wall sub
Outdoor Kitchen TV (no way to put to the sides because of stone being used)
Monitor Audio AWC280 x3 for LCR
Monitor Audio AWC265 x2 for rear
Monitor Audio IWS-10 in-wall sub
Outdoor Patio
Monitor Audio AWC265-T2 x2
Kitchen
Monitor Audio C180-T2 x2
Master Bedroom
Monitor Audio C180-T2 x2
Questions:
As said above, we have a dedicated network/media room where all of the network cables are being run. My plan was to have an additional cabinet for AVR to run all of these systems above but am being steered to buy separate systems for the systems above due to the length of the run, ease of use, etc. We have the ability to place separate AVR in cabinets close to each of the TVs but obviously would then have the cost of multiple receivers. Do I have a separate receiver for each 5.1 zone or can I use an amp and a receiver to run everything?
Overall comments on plan for speakers would be appreciated too. We decided on the Monitor audio not only for the sound but the lifetime warranty although MartinLogan was a very close second. The greatroom is very difficult area to design and my wife doesn't want to see speakers on the floor, on the hearth, etc. So Soundbar was the negotiated solution.
