Multiple Zones

[hfw01]

My brother is doing a renovation, and asked me a question that I thought would be perfect for this forum. He is looking to have three zones for his stereo. Two zones are easy, as most Receivers have an A/B speaker switch. The thing about his third zone that I found interesting is that all he wants is a volume knob on the wall to adjust. He wants his wife to be able to turn up the volume when she is watching TV from the kitchen, but doesn't want to give her options beyond that. (She doesn't want them. She doesn't want to have to deal with a remote full of buttons, or have the ability to change too much.) He doesn't need the zones playing different things, they are three sets of speakers in one long room. He would like to adjust their volume independently though.

Thanks in advance,

-hal

 

[MDS]

Although there are a few higher end (high $$) receivers with support for three zones, typically receivers only support two zones.

You can run three 'zones' off the zone 2 output of a 2 zone receiver if you are willing to compromise a bit and have zone 2 and zone 3 play the same source (which can still be independent of the main zone). You need impedance matching volume controls or a speaker selector to pull it off.

There will be no problem having a zone 2 and zone 3 (playing the same source, but again independent of the main zone) using the zone 2 speaker outputs of a receiver if you use IM volume controls. Zone 2 speaker outputs hooked to an IM volume control in the kitchen will do exactly what the wife wants and you can add a third zone too if it is also connected to the zone 2 outputs but using an IM volume control.

 

[Midcow2]

Just an idea

you could conenct wireless Sennheiser RS-140 headphones and she could have her own volume adjustment. They recharge on the stand and can stay plugged in all the time without affecting the other zones. It is how I mow the grass

As mentioned before unless they are high end AVR receivers ,they usually only support 2 zones. The top-of-the line Yamaha RM-Z11 supports 4 zones but then you also pay a premium price.

 

[BMXTRIX]

You have several options on how to run things.

What you are asking for is a bit off of what would traditionally be defined as multiple zones as this typically indicates the desire for multiple sources.

How to accomplish what you asked for...

1. The main zone - you have this figured out, all A/V receivers do this.

2. The secondary set of speakers (zone 2) - You didn't get into the nuances of zone 2 speakers, but if you want the exact same source in zone 2, playing at the exact same volume as the main zone, then using the B channel of the main output is fine. But, you will find that many mid-level receivers offer up zone 2 independent output with excellent control. Receivers such as Denon's AVR-2308 I believe cover this and include amplification for zone 2 as long as you don't run a 7.1 audio setup (use 5.1 instead). Otherwise, an external amplifier is necessary.

3. For the kitchen, I would get an external amplifier and hook it up to the 'RECORD OUT' of the A/V receiver. Then put a volume control in the kitchen where you want it. This works very well as it tracks whatever the current source is and is always 'on'. When you turn on the family room, the kitchen comes on, and the volume know adjusts accordingly. No thought at all is needed to make this work exactly as you describe. An external amp can be had online for under 100 bucks.

 

[jcPanny]

Zone setup

I have a similar setup with a stereo amp and impedance matching volume contols powering speakers in 5 rooms of the house. If your receiver doesn't have the "zone 2" freature, you can use the analog Tape Output. Having the VCs in each room is very convenient. Inceiling speakers would work well for the kitchen and other rooms.

I am not sure on the models, but some of the new mid-fi Yamaha receivers offer 3 powered zones by reassigning the amp channels.

 

[hfw01]

Thanks for the input. I sent my brother a link to this thread.

-hal