HomeCinema System with Multi-Room Capabilities

[admin_exported]

Hi everyone,

I'm new to this site, but an avid reader of What Hi-Fi Magazine.

I'm in the process of doing my new appartment, and need advice on what system to get.

My budget isnt tight, and i need other than the regular home cinema system (tv, surround sound/bluray player), a multi room music system that can cover 11 different zones, speakers (wall mount i presume) included.

I was initially proposed Crestron high performance stereo audio switchers, Crestron interface and control solution for ipod, active balanced to unbalanced audio converter designed to enable connection of any crestron home Cat5 balanced audio source, a NAD T747 sourround receiver and a NAD bluray player, wiring and surround speakers etc...those all being for the main rack.

For all the other 11 zones, a set of 5 speakers and sub woofer for each zone.

The quotation is on the high price and i am sure there are better systems out there. Could anyone help.

Thanks

 

[The_Lhc]

Hang on, you want 5.1 in ALL 11 zones (big "apartment"!)?

I was going to point you towards Sonos as it's tailor-made for this kind of multi-room idea but it won't handle 5.1, it's stereo audio only I'm afraid.

 

[scene]

the_lhc:
Hang on, you want 5.1 in ALL 11 zones (big "apartment"!)?

I was going to point you towards Sonos as it's tailor-made for this kind of multi-room idea but it won't handle 5.1, it's stereo audio only I'm afraid.

This is into the territory of full-on custom install, methinks. Any Cedia-accredited posters who wish to comment? Otherwise I think the OP should look for a Cedia-accredited installer in his/her locality.

 

[The_Lhc]

Well, yes but he's already been given a quote for a Crestron system, so one would assume he's speaking to an experienced (if not accredited) installer.

But you're right, if it's more than just basic stereo (which Sonos will do easily and could be installed by the user) I don't see many option beyond what he's already looking at.

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the info guys. I'll look into the Sonos system. It is a big appartment, the main tv room will have its 5.1 surround sound system The other rooms are mainly just for music, but to be controlled either via a crestron (or equivalent) remote from anywhere in the house. I'll check out Sonos website anyway.

Sure the installers are experienced, but the advice given on the kind of equipment they want to provide is something i didnt qite like, especially the NAD AV amp and blu ray system. I'm sure there's better out there at same price or even less.

If anyone can advice me on a good AV amp/blu ray player then i'll look into it.

 

[nads]

Ok now reading this reply I read a totally different requirement

so one AV 5.1 set up in the main room and stereo in the rest of the rooms? Or as in your original post 5.1 in all rooms?

 

[The_Lhc]

mkhawam:Thanks for the info guys. I'll look into the Sonos system. It is a big appartment, the main tv room will have its 5.1 surround sound system The other rooms are mainly just for music, but to be controlled either via a crestron (or equivalent) remote from anywhere in the house. I'll check out Sonos website anyway.

If this is what you actually need then, provided you're happy having a separate controller for the AV and music zones then Sonos will give you exactly what you want and you could probably install it all yourself. Sonos can give up to 32 zones and 32 controllers and any controller can control any and every zone. You can either choose from an amplified Zoneplayer (the ZP120) which you just attach speakers to like you would any amp or, if you already have an amp and speakers an unamplified Zoneplayer (the ZP90) where you connect either the analogue or digital line outs to your existing amp. Using the digital output gives you the option of using a better DAC to improve the sound quality further. This is also what you'd use if you wanted a zone connected to your AV amp as well.

Furthermore for casual listening you could choose the S5 zoneplayer, this is a bit like an iPod dock but is actually a ZP120 with built in speakers, so you can just use it as is, this might be suggested for a kitchen or bathroom or anywhere where you want a measure of portability.

The best thing about Sonos is the ease of use, it took me longer to unpack the components than it did to set them up and my other half can use it easily and she's a complete technophobe.

If anyone can advice me on a good AV amp/blu ray player then i'll look into it.

This is separate question and one that I'm not qualified to answer but obviously your choices are far more varied and will depend very much on your budget.

 

[scene]

Yes, if you only want 5.1 in the one zone and stereo in the rest, the flexibility of Sonos and the sleek interface (especially if using an iPhone or iPod Touch) is marvelous, coupled with the ability to lock zones together for "party" mode...

Sorry I was being a bit dense when reading the original post and didn't pick up that the nature of your existing quote must mean you've already looked at the pro-install route

Having said that, have you got any alternative quote(s) from another installer? Always worth getting at least three quotes if looking at spending a largish chunk of money.

As the_lhc says, the AV AMP / blu ray player requirement is a whole different question that's worth asking separately with budget requirement and size of room...

 

[The_Lhc]

scene:Yes, if you only want 5.1 in the one zone and stereo in the rest, the flexibility of Sonos and the sleek interface (especially if using an iPhone or iPod Touch) is marvelous,

From what little I've seen of either the new CR200 controller has pretty much the same interface. I supposed it's what you get used to but I still prefer the CR100 interface. The 200 is better looking though I have to say.

coupled with the ability to lock zones together for "party" mode...

Yes I forgot to mention that bit.