Question about setting up pre-wired ethernet sound system (pics inside)

[hankmoody]

Hello,

I just signed a lease for a new retail store a few days ago. The previous tenant was a retail franchise owned by a corporation, and the music playlist was controlled remotely by the corporation via a DSL line (there is an additional DSL jack in the backroom that was used for the music).

The speakers seem to terminate to an ethernet rack-mounted hub in the backroom. The first 6 ports on the hub are labeled "D1-D6," and there is also a port labeled "Music."

(Remove the space to see the images)

shopstyle21. com/audio/molex-cat5-i.jpg

shopstyle21. com/audio/molex-cat5-ii.jpg

shopstyle21. com/audio/molex-cat5-iii.jpg

My question is this--can I simply purchase any audio receiver with an Ethernet out and plug this into the rack unit? I've already spent most of the budget on fixtures and setting up the store, so the cheaper and easier the solution the better. I don't need any kind of remote LAN control options or anything fancy, as long as I can pipe FM radio over the speakers I'd be all set.

 

[BMXTRIX]

I've never seen this before and typically Ethernet is used for Ethernet - which is data communication, not for audio.

Audio typically uses a powered amplifier and then speaker connectivity to single or multiple speakers depending on the wiring.

I would get up on a ladder and pull some speakers down and see what type of wiring goes into the back and I would actually figure out what cable is going to what location.

Perhaps this is all done with some sort of locally powered speakers of some sort, which I HAVE heard of, but is very much a specialty product, and should be determined before you do anything.

Since this is not a typical setup, it's important to know what the actual setup is, not just some pictures of the patch panel at the head end. Where EXACTLY does each wire go to?

 

[adwilk]

I suppose its possible that some sort of balun might exist to get you hooked up but I agree with BMX that you really do need to figure out exactly what is going on. My experience says that box has nothing to do with audio. That "music" line could have been set up to go to a receiver to get internet radio or to play music from a PC...