Audio for new home

I'm no expert from everything I've read on the 'net and on here it basically boils down to how particular you are about "true" 5.1 or 7.1 surround sound vs. a soundbar and "simulated" surround sound.

Sonos is easy, minimal wires, and very interchangeable and movable. A receiver and hard wired speakers will sound better but more of a pain in the arse to wire up front and plan ahead.
It really just depends on what you want to do. I have a receiver and 4 in ceiling speakers that came pre-wired when my house was built. However, between my wife and kids, I may almost ditch it and move towards sonos.

Simplicity with wife and kids >>>>> the difference in sound, for me. Everyone is different though.

If I were building I would do in ceiling speakers

I'm building a new house and considering in-ceiling wired speakers. This will cover the kitchen/living area and outdoor area in the back. I'm thinking about using the Connect:Amp to power the auxiliary speakers throughout the house.

Can I use my receiver's Zone 2 as an input option in the Connect:Amp?

Does the Connect:Amp allow volume control of each channel?

Any other comments on this option?

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Any other comments on this option?

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Is zone 2 powered ?

If you have a receiver, you can use the Connect w/o Amp. It essentially turns your receiver into a Sonos Zone.

The Connect w/Amp can be used as well, but it is more expensive.

Also, look on ebay for the older versions (ZP-80,90,100,110, etc.) Pretty much the same tech and you can get them for around half the price as the new stuff.

Search my old posts for more Sonos discussion.

If I were building new, I'd do the following:

Family Room and Media Room - 7.1 Channel Receivers with in wall speakers and subs with Sonos Connect w/o Amps for each.

2-4 in wall speakers in guest areas - Kitchen, Dining, Patio, Pool, Porch, etc. with a Sonos Connect w/Amp for each room.

Either 2 in wall speakers with Sonos Connect w/Amps or a stand alone Sonos speakers (Play 1, 3, 5) in each Bedroom.

Of course, as another poster said, this would all be routed back to a central media closet.

Just built a 3300sf house and used HTD.com to plan and install my whole home audio system and have been more than thrilled with the system.

LINK

I would say probably not, but it may depend on the receiver. Essentially you would need to be able to use two inputs at the same time, or at least control separate video and audio outputs.

For example, TV/Satellite is on HDMI 1, Sonos Connect w/o Amp is on AV 1. When the receiver is on HDMI 1, video is sent through the HDMI output on your receiver and audio is sent to the speakers (7.1). If you switch over to AV 1, you could send Sonos media through the speakers, but your TV isnt getting the signal from HDMI 1 anymore (since it is on a different input).

Does that make sense? It may bring up another idea, where your Sonos could be connected to Zone 2 of a 7.1 Channel receiver, where you could play HDMI 1 through 5.1 Channels and Sonos through the other 2 channels.

LINK

Here is the link to the spec sheet.

FYI, it looks like the Connect Amp may not have RCA Output anymore. (Also, the ZP-120 doesn't have it, but the ZP-100 does).

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don't keep up with the latest in home audio trends.

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this being the case you will probably be just fine with the Sonos stuff.

I have it all over my home and love it, the app is really slick, setup is dirt simple, and they sound great as long as they are sized appropriately for the room.

I'm quite sure the high end audio stuff will sound better in a direct comparison, but for a non-enthusiast (such as myself) the Sonos is more than adequate.