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Home audio system

Posted on 9/11/22 at 8:41 pm
Posted by WaWaWeeWa
Member since Oct 2015
15714 posts
Posted on 9/11/22 at 8:41 pm
I have 3 areas of my downstairs that I would like to install ceiling speakers. Each zone would have 2 speakers

I would like to be able to turn 1, 2, or all 3 zones on or off and have a few different inputs (TV and Bluetooth audio)

What type of receiver do I need?
Posted by Rize
Spring Texas
Member since Sep 2011
15836 posts
Posted on 9/11/22 at 9:21 pm to
Posted by WaWaWeeWa
Member since Oct 2015
15714 posts
Posted on 9/11/22 at 9:39 pm to
Do I need a 5.2 or 7.2?

The issue I can’t seem to find and answer to is that a 7.2 is 2 channels right? How can I control 3 zones? I don’t see any 3 channel receivers but I’m sure I’m not the first person to want speakers in 3 different areas.
Posted by Finnish
Member since Nov 2021
435 posts
Posted on 9/11/22 at 9:51 pm to
For multiple zones, I have found nothing simpler than a Sonos Amp for each zone.
Posted by WaWaWeeWa
Member since Oct 2015
15714 posts
Posted on 9/11/22 at 10:26 pm to
I’m seeing sonos amps are $899 each. I would need 3 of them plus speakers. I’m probably looking at $3500 just in equipment. Seems steep for 6 speakers. Do you know of any other way to get it done?
Posted by Zach Lee To Amp Hill
New Orleans
Member since Mar 2016
4765 posts
Posted on 9/11/22 at 10:57 pm to
LINK

buy however many of these you need to power whatever number of zones you're trying to setup along with however many chromecast audios you need.
Posted by jobbieman
Baton Rouge
Member since Sep 2009
384 posts
Posted on 9/12/22 at 5:30 am to
I just upgraded my system and wanted to do something similar. Purchased a Yamaha amp with Sonos Port and a four zone speaker selector. I also have individual controls (rheostats) on tow of the speaker systems.
Posted by Theduckhunter
South Louisiana
Member since May 2022
721 posts
Posted on 9/12/22 at 6:00 am to
quote:

I just upgraded my system and wanted to do something similar. Purchased a Yamaha amp with Sonos Port and a four zone speaker selector. I also have individual controls (rheostats) on tow of the speaker systems.


How do you like it? Any issues? I’ve got a Sonos setup in two areas and love it, but it is definitely expensive.
Posted by jobbieman
Baton Rouge
Member since Sep 2009
384 posts
Posted on 9/12/22 at 6:11 am to
quote:

How do you like it? Any issues? I’ve got a Sonos setup in two areas and love it, but it is definitely expensive.


It works great and I'm very happy with the system. Purchased everything form Crutchfield and their tech support is great. tReceiver was 450 Port about 500 and I have Polk ceiling mount speakers that were about 400 a pair.

Able control I Tunes, Radio (I Heard) Pandora from my phone as well as volume. Only reason I have the speaker selector is to keep from over powering the reciever.
Posted by WaWaWeeWa
Member since Oct 2015
15714 posts
Posted on 9/12/22 at 7:19 am to
quote:

I just upgraded my system and wanted to do something similar. Purchased a Yamaha amp with Sonos Port and a four zone speaker selector. I also have individual controls (rheostats) on tow of the speaker systems.


This sounds like what I want.

The link from the poster above is interesting but I don’t really want to mess with chromecast. I’m not sure how reliable that will be long term.

Did Crutchfield help you pick out the equipment?

I’m seeing speaker selectors on the crutch field website but it looks like they all have buttons. Can you control which speakers you turn on and off remotely through your phone?
This post was edited on 9/12/22 at 7:22 am
Posted by Teddy Ruxpin
Member since Oct 2006
39607 posts
Posted on 9/12/22 at 7:34 am to
My house came with speakers already wired for 7 or so zones.

I got one Sonos Amp and a cheap mechanical speaker selector (Monoprice I think). Works fine for me.

I don't need multiple Sonos because I'm never playing different music sources in different rooms.

It takes all of 10 seconds to decide what zones I want to power that day because I really only run it when having company over. Use it all the time though.
This post was edited on 9/12/22 at 7:38 am
Posted by RushHour
East Texas
Member since Dec 2018
100 posts
Posted on 9/12/22 at 7:41 am to
This is the system I have. I've got zones for patio, kitchen, garage, master bedroom. Each zone has it's own wall-plate. Each wall-plate can be on a different zone at any given time.

Monoprice 6 Zone Amplifier and Controllers

My "streaming" zone is controlled by an August WiFi receiver. I did not want to deal with the distance issues of BlueTooth.
Posted by highpockets
Lafayette
Member since Feb 2015
1901 posts
Posted on 9/12/22 at 2:08 pm to
I bought speakers, controller and amp from these guys, rocking the house with 15 indoor and 4 outdoor speakers.

HTD
Posted by Chicken
Jackassistan
Member since Aug 2003
22046 posts
Posted on 9/12/22 at 2:26 pm to
quote:

For multiple zones, I have found nothing simpler than a Sonos Amp for each zone.
This...Sonos is a game changer in terms of dealing with speaker zones...the old method of using a switch is so antiquated...downside is that Sonos hardware is expensive...
Posted by WaWaWeeWa
Member since Oct 2015
15714 posts
Posted on 9/12/22 at 2:37 pm to
quote:

This...Sonos is a game changer in terms of dealing with speaker zones...the old method of using a switch is so antiquated...downside is that Sonos hardware is expensive...


I actually found my answer after talking to crutchfield

I am going to use a sonos amp and a wifi channel selector 4 channel wifi selector for $200

The sonos amp can power 8 speakers and I can control 4 zones with that wifi selector all for less than $1,000

I can select 1 or all channels from an app on my phone and I don’t need multiple sonos amps
This post was edited on 9/12/22 at 2:38 pm
Posted by WaWaWeeWa
Member since Oct 2015
15714 posts
Posted on 9/12/22 at 2:39 pm to
quote:

the old method of using a switch is so antiquated


I agree. I didn’t want switches on all my walls and dealing with all that wiring.
Posted by WaWaWeeWa
Member since Oct 2015
15714 posts
Posted on 9/12/22 at 2:44 pm to
quote:

I bought speakers, controller and amp from these guys, rocking the h


This setup would actually work too. Now I will have to decide if I want to go with sonos to this one.

I’m not sure of what advantages sonos would have other than seeming like a bigger company which may have more long term support for apps and updates.
Posted by awestruck
Member since Jan 2015
10961 posts
Posted on 9/13/22 at 2:29 am to
quote:

Do I need a 5.2 or 7.2?

The issue I can’t seem to find and answer to is that a 7.2 is 2 channels right?
The dot (.) two is the number of subwoofers.

BTW: You're going to get a lot of buy Sonos and if you have to ask it'll do you fine. However many serious (top end) audiophiles will not so earnestly agree.
Posted by AlxTgr
Kyre Banorg
Member since Oct 2003
81736 posts
Posted on 9/13/22 at 9:09 am to
quote:

the old method of using a switch is so antiquated...downside is that Sonos hardware is expensive...
I have zero issues using a simple speaker switch. I find that I rarely even need to adjust it because I use the same two zones at the same time most often anyway. I can still use just a basic receiver and still use the speakers that came with the house which are very nice.
Posted by GEAUXT
Member since Nov 2007
29279 posts
Posted on 9/13/22 at 1:26 pm to
There is a cheaper way...

Get a multichannel amp and then get a Google chromecast for each zone. They unfortunately don't sell just chromecast audio anymore, but the regular video chromecast will serve the same function.

I set up my neighbors whole house with 7 different zones like this. It has been working great and was way cheaper
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