Outdoor sound system question

[PHANofPHUNK]

Hi folks!

So I'm running a 8 channel outdoor sound system. I'm using a laptop with j. River, into a Schitt modi dac, into a Marantz sr7001. I'm using the 2 front channels and outputting those into a Niles 6 zone speaker selector with volume control.

The speakers are Dayton audios, with 87db sensitivity and rated for 59-85 watts.

The problem I'm have is I literally need to crank the Marantz to full blast just to fill the yard with sound.

Any suggestions as to how to make it more efficient?

Thanks in advance!

 

[lovinthehd]

You're running 8 speakers off two channels of amplification? Get more amp channels....

 

[PHANofPHUNK]

I know. I should run all channels out of the Marantz. The reason I use the Niles speaker selected is to easily control the volume.

Can input a another Amp in here somewhere?

 

[blue72]

Are you always running all 8 speakers? If so, you could just hook most, if not all of the speakers up to the different speaker binding posts / channels of the receiver and put it into whatever the Marantz equivalent of 'all channels stereo' listening mode is.

 

[PHANofPHUNK]

You're running 8 speakers off two channels of amplification? Get more amp channels....

What if I set the receiver to all channel stereo, and output 5 channels into the 2 channel input on the Niles?

 

[blue72]

For example, speakers 1&2 hooked up to FRONT A, speakers 3&4 hooked up to SURROUND, Speakers 5&6 hooked up to SURROUND BACK, and the remaining two speakers you might be able to connect to the FRONT B or MULTI SPEAKER terminals. Then you would cycle through the listening modes on the receiver until you find one that plays stereo music through all channels. This way, each pair of speakers has its own dedicated amplifier instead of asking one of the amps to power all the speakers. This is only convenient if you don't need to switch some of the speakers on and off regularly.

 

[blue72]

What if I set the receiver to all channel stereo, and output 5 channels into the 2 channel input on the Niles?

Sorry, but it doesn't work that way.

 

[PHANofPHUNK]

Are you always running all 8 speakers? If so, you could just hook most, if not all of the speakers up to the different speaker binding posts / channels of the receiver and put it into whatever the Marantz equivalent of 'all channels stereo' listening mode is.

We have an acre backyard. Some speaker are in a porch, some on a deck and 2 by our creek. That would work but, would be impossible to control the volumes in those locations. Some speakers are 10 feet from sitting areas and others are 50 plus feet.

I'm thinking all channel stereo, outputting 5 channels into the 2 channel input on the speaker selected. Something tells me that would lead to a catastrophic falliure of some kind.

 

[WaynePflughaupt]

Using the other channels in 5-channel stereo mode, you can control the level if each speaker via the receiver’s menu.

Regards,
Wayne A. Pflughaupt

 

[PHANofPHUNK]

Using the other channels in 5-channel stereo mode, you can control the level if each speaker via the receiver’s menu.

Regards,
Wayne A. Pflughaupt

True. Easy for me. But for the wife...... Yikes! And it's nice for guests to be able to easily adjust the volume.

Maybe individual volume controls at each location?

 

[PHANofPHUNK]

I should note, that even when driving just 1 pair, the receiver still needs to cranked. I did try a pair hooked directly to the receiver and it worked as it should.

 

[lovinthehd]

Sounds like your speaker selector is the issue then. How long are the runs of speaker wire?

 

[PHANofPHUNK]

Sounds like your speaker selector is the issue then. How long are the runs of speaker wire?

1 is 135' (14awg), the second is about 45' (16awg) the third is 25' and the 4th is 15 feet.

I also believe it to be the selected.

 

[Drunkpenguin]

I ran a speaker selector for a long time. One day I tried it with direct connections from receiver to speakers and it sounded MUCH better. I eliminated the selector. Currently my outdoor speakers are disconnected since we never really used them anyways. If I decided to use them again some day I'd probably get an amp.

 

[PHANofPHUNK]

Would i run into the same problem if I eliminated the speaker selector, and ran 4 channels out to 4 individual volume controls? this way each channel has its own amp instead of just 2.

 

[everettT]

Get a 300w pro amp and run zone two preouts. I've run 10 speakers off an old crown and never had a call about issues. You can also get a selector that allows you to turn of pairs that aren't in use.

 

[2channel lover]

Hi folks!

So I'm running a 8 channel outdoor sound system. I'm using a laptop with j. River, into a Schitt modi dac, into a Marantz sr7001. I'm using the 2 front channels and outputting those into a Niles 6 zone speaker selector with volume control.

The speakers are Dayton audios, with 87db sensitivity and rated for 59-85 watts.

The problem I'm have is I literally need to crank the Marantz to full blast just to fill the yard with sound.

Any suggestions as to how to make it more efficient?

Thanks in advance!

Without seeing some type of schematic, or layout, having a "zoned" outdoor system with multiple volume controls just sounds overkill to me.

That said, I think you need a multi-channel amp.

I'm running my whole house (3 zones, master z1, family rm z2, sunroom z3)audio off of an Emo A-800. 3 pairs of speakers...the Pre/pro only has 3 zones with control...main, Z1 & Z2...so to get volume control over Z3 I wired Z2 & Z3 into a on/off, volume control box which is probably similar to your Niles unit. All 6 speakers are powered by the A800.

https://emotiva.com/collections/basx-series/products/a-800

 

[PHANofPHUNK]

Without seeing some type of schematic, or layout, having a "zoned" outdoor system with multiple volume controls just sounds overkill to me.

That said, I think you need a multi-channel amp.

I'm running my whole house (3 zones, master z1, family rm z2, sunroom z3)audio off of an Emo A-800. 3 pairs of speakers...the Pre/pro only has 3 zones with control...main, Z1 & Z2...so to get volume control over Z3 I wired Z2 & Z3 into a on/off, volume control box which is probably similar to your Niles unit. All 6 speakers are powered by the A800.

https://emotiva.com/collections/basx-series/products/a-800

Thanks for the info. I did read somewhere that the Niles doesn't do well with watts over its rated handling. (100watts) per channel. I think that may be my problem. The Marantz is 140watts per channel and I have to nearly max out the volume on it.

However when using a crappy onkyo at prolly 80 watts per channel I don't have to get near max volume on either the receiver or Niles.
Would a 300 watt per channel amp really help me?

 

[everettT]

They make high current speaker selectors. A large amp will definitely help. Most distribution amps are between 30 and 60w per channel. With long speaker runs a large amp will be more efficient.

 

[2channel lover]

I

Thanks for the info. I did read somewhere that the Niles doesn't do well with watts over its rated handling. (100watts) per channel. I think that may be my problem. The Marantz is 140watts per channel and I have to nearly max out the volume on it.

However when using a crappy onkyo at prolly 80 watts per channel I don't have to get near max volume on either the receiver or Niles.
Would a 300 watt per channel amp really help me?

Pardon me, but I've forgotten your purpose for this system, but most multi-zone amps are going to be in the 30-50 wpc range all channels driven. If you need more, with the A800 (and the Parasound amp I was looking at) you can bridge zones for more power.

My system is your typical whole house music system, but I did put some fairly expensive speakers inceiling speakers in because for entertaining I wanted something capable of creating a festive environment for parties, gatherings, etc. I'm running 3 pairs of speakers (it's capable of running 4 pr)...so I'm not sure how the amp powers those 3 pair, but for Xmas last year we had maybe 15 people over and the music was playing in the 70-75db range (rather loud)...the amp never ran hot, no clipping, etc.

I would answer your question this way...I'm not a big fan of the Niles multi-zone amps, but you can never have too much power so would it help? I think so, but I'd have to revisit your earlier posts to see what you're trying to accomplish.