Whole House Audio-- Need Help

[kunjuvaava]

I would like to setup a 8 zone Audio system for whole house .
I am new to this . I would like some advice on the different components thats needed .
As i said iam very new to this so any suggestion is appreciated .
This is like background music and i would like some clarity but not the minute level .
I was looking at HTD mid range - But i dont know if its good or not .

If someone can explain with the pieces that i would need - it will be great .

 

[BMXTRIX]

The HTD mid system is by far the best value I've seen. It should be noted that amplifiers are a 'weak point' for this as they can overheat or fail over time which can cause a channel to go out, and an amp to need to be repaired. The down side with an integrated preamp/switcher/amp is that if you lose a single channel, then you basically have to take your whole system down to get it repaired instead of just sending the amp itself out.

That's why they have the advanced system which separates the preamp/switching from the amplification portion.

Now, it seems you already have a good idea of what you are after, and that really is a key part. Come up with a specific goal, then put together a well researched and thought out plan to achieve that goal.

That said: I recommend that keypads go into any room with distributed audio so that you can turn the system on/off as you enter/leave a room. This simplifies your overall use and makes it far more accessible.

The use of the iOS app to run things is also a nice extra since you can just sit down and run the entire house easily.

So, it really remains whether or not you have run wires, and if this level of discrete control is in your budget comfortably, and if there is something else you may be after or want, or if this is more than you need.

The HTD system allows for up to 6 different sources to be sent out, plus each room can have a local source (cool feature), so 7 sources to any room are available. The rooms can play different sources, which is a real plus, and the zones can be independently on/off with local room control instead of having to go back to the head end (where the equipment is located) to make adjustments to the system all the time.

It is one of the best packaged systems, if not the best, that I've seen to date.

On an 8-zone system, if I were installing it, I would typically use Crestron which would mean a control processor, a pad-8 (8 source/8 zone preamp/switcher), an amplifiers for the rooms. All b-stock which would be about $2,500 or so. Pretty similarly priced overall.

You will still need speakers.

I would also strongly consider going ahead and considering whether 8-zones is actually what you want. The HTD models have a breaking point at 6 zones and then at 12 zones. So, why not go with 12 zones and just get audio going everywhere? Kind of a shame to leave a few rooms without audio for no reason.

You will still need sources, so you will want to consider what you want to listen to, and get that connected to the unit.

You will want speakers appropriate for the rooms and your demand for audio quality really may determine the quality of the speakers you end up with, but I've personally been pretty happy with the 8" Monoprice in-wall and in-ceiling models. You will need ALL the wiring done if it isn't in place. Cat-5e to all keypad locations and 14/4 speaker wire to each stereo zone would be my general recommendation.

I have yet to see some serious reviews of the HTD system over the long haul, which is certainly my only question mark on things. I also don't know how they handle things if product is discontinued or replaced with other models. Certainly is an issue with others, such as Russound. If a central controller is removed, then they can't just sell you a replacement and it is 100% proprietary to the specific keypads, so keypads and controllers are matched, not just to a brand, but to a specific model. That's one of the reasons I typically find b-stock Crestron gear. I can use a keypad made ten years ago with any component made yesterday, or tomorrow, or fifteen years ago, and they system is perfectly fine with it. Just costs a bit more.

If the HTD system really has you sweating on price, then stick with them, because they are, by far, the best value on an integrated system with such forward thinking that I've seen so far.

 

[ImcLoud]

I can explain how my system works, I have been through a few differnt types, and this is where I ended up, for the sake of simplicity and cost efficiency...

I run an AVR {audio video receiver} for my home theater system that has "zone 2" capabilities.
DENON AVR-2311CI 7.2 3D Home Theater Receiver | Accessories4less

Then run a set of rca's Amazon.com: PREMIUM 6-Feet Audio Stereo Cable 22AWG Gold Plated 2 RCA M/M Plug Cable 2 M: Electronics from that units Zone 2 output to the inputs on a 2 channel 4 ohm stable amplifier
Dayton Audio APA150 150W Power Amplifier 300-812

then run the 2 speaker level outputs with 4 wire in wall speaker cable Amazon.com: Cable Matters 4-Conductor In-Wall Rated (CM) 14 AWG Speaker Cable, 100% Bare Copper 100 Feet: Computers & Accessories from that amplifier to a distribution system, speaker selector
Amazon.com: Monoprice 108230 8-Channel Speaker Selector for Cellphones - Retail Packaging: Cell Phones & Accessories

then run 16-4 in wall speaker cable Amazon.com: Monoprice 100ft 16AWG CL2 Rated 4-Conductor Loud Speaker Cable (For In-Wall Installation): Electronics from speaker selector to a volume control you install in each room
Amazon.com: Pyle Home PVCKT5 Wall Mount Rotary Volume Control Knob (3 Colors Included): Electronics

then run that volume controls outputs to each speaker in the room {2 in each room for 1 volume control}
Amazon.com: Yamaha NS-IW280CWH 6.5" 3-Way In-Ceiling Speaker System (White): Electronics you can use 2 sets of 16-2 for this or some of the left over 16-4 depending on how you want to do it...


That is about the basic setup, I have a similar yamaha speaker and I found them are the best value to sound quality for in ceiling units, they also sell dual stereo type speakers that will take both outputs and put out stereo sound from one speaker, so you only need one speaker in each room but still need 2 sets of cables and 2 outputs... I prefer the having 2 speakers...

Of course you can get which ever amp you want, which ever cable lengths you need, ect, I use 2 emotiva umc200 amplifiers, and 2 6 zone mono price speaker selectors, 6 zones in the house and 6 zones outside, zones 2 and 3 from a preamp processor, it works well, and the sq is very good considering, also it can play pretty loud... plus I can chose any content combo I want, we can be watching tv on the ht, and have the tvs sound playing throughout the house, or we can have the cd player playing through thte house and watch a blu ray in the parlor.... its very nice for ambiance, or when you are walking around the house and listening to the tv...

good luck I hope this helps, there are many ways to do it, and i used to have a high dollar multi channel amp and separate devices for each zone, ect, and it just to much, especially if you go a couple months without using it you forget how to control it and its like learning it all over every time, keep it simple, spend less money and you will be happy with the outcome...

PS- my brother only has 4 zones and just has one of them apa150 amps in each room, that all feed off the zones 2 on his avr but also has a little wall jack that accepts a 3.5mm plug from an ipod or phone, but his are much louder and he spent a lot on his in ceiling speakers, they sound really good and he built the apa150s into the wall so the volume control shows through and can be accessed in each room... so everyone does it the way that makes sense for them..

The htd systems are the next cheapest way to go and they are nice, I hear good things about them... With the system I have all 12 zones cost me under $1500 with the speakers, the amps, selectors, wires, and volume controls, not including the avr since I was buying that anyway... For 8 zones with one amp you can be in the neighborhood of ...
$160 for vol controls
$160 for the amp
$35 for the selector
$355 total then you need the cables and the speakers which will vary depending on what you want and need...

 

[kunjuvaava]

Since iam new to this let me ask this .
I would need like 8 zones as you said ..
So can i read it like this
From the Audio Video Receiver - I connect one zone 1 to the Home theater and the 2nd zone to the Amp and then goes to the Speaker Selector from which all the wires go to each Volume controller and from there to the Speakers ..
If you have 8 zones and all playing at the same time .. What kind of amp you need . Can you suggest some ..
I am sorry . i have very basic knowledge on this and i am trying set this up myself so that i can learn and fix my stuffs myself..