Home theater + 6 outside speakers in one unit?

[jamster]

I am in the market for a new home theater receiver and also need to control 6 outside speakerd for my pool area. I have seen many receivers on the market, but I havent seen one that can handle my home theater speakers as one zone and a second zone for my 6 speakers all in one unit. does anyone know if such a unit exists? Should I consider a separate amp for the speakers? if so any recommendations on this configutration? For the outside speakers I have 6 Boston Aquistics voyager 6's (max 150w) and inside I have 2-B&W 604's, B&W center, and 2-surround B&W CCM65's in a 5.1 setup. Any suggestions on the best way to set this up would be appreciated. Thanks, Jim - an AV newbie.

 

[Tetonmtnbiker]

Pool Speakers

Jamster,

Most Recievers that control 2nd and 3rd zones have preamp outs for these zones. You could run the pre out to a multi channel amp that could power the 6 pool speakers. I have never seen a reciever that would have 13 discreet channels of amplification to handle a 7.1 plus 6 extra speakers.

Personally, I go from the pre/pro out to a multichannel speakercraft amp that powers 8 speakers (4 in ceiling / 2 in wall/ and 2 outdoor). It works well for me.

Good Luck!

Teton


Something like this http://www.htd.com/12-Channel-Amplifier?gclid=CLfJi5H25YoCFR2vSQoduB2V0Q . This 12 channel can be bridged to 6 channels at 100 watts apiece.

 

[MDS]

A receiver with Zone2 capability won't be able to do it directly but will with additional equipment.

You could use the Zone2 pre-outs to an external amp and then a speaker selector from the amp to the 6 speakers.

 

[markw]

What do you want from those six speakers?

The same five or six different, discrete, HT channels as in your main HT room, or simply three pairs of stereo speakers?

In either case, you're talking separate power amps.

 

[jamster]

6 pool speakers

Teton,

Thanks for the good feedback. I will definitely go with a separate amp for the 6 speakers. Now its a matter of finding a good multi-channel amp. I see you use a speakercraft. Will look into those. Anyone have any other multi-channel amp brand/model recommendatons?

 

[Tetonmtnbiker]

Brand Question

Jamster,

I have Speakercraft because I found a good deal on them on Ebay. I have a friend who has Sonance, and his sounds good. Since outdoor listening (or in ceiling or in wall) sort of implies (usually) you arent going to be critically listening I wouldn't necessarily go high end here. Sonance and speakercraft are spendy unless you find them used. The link I listed above is a brand I am not familiar with, but with outside / pool noise I would be surprised if you could hear the difference between an expensive or cheap amp.

By the way, If you play your 6 Bostons at 150 Watts at your pool, I'll be able to sing along in my back yard in Wyoming.

Take Care,
Teton