I'm renovating a retail space. It will functionally be two stores that is connected via a walkthrough in the back. I've done traditional zone wiring with overhead speakers. What I'd like to find is an IP based ceiling speaker system that will allow me to configure two zones and allow for multiple inputs (different music per side of the store). I have some PoE ports left over from the camera install. Thinking three speakers per side.

Surely someone makes something like this now right? Google has failed me. Everything I find is the traditional amp and speaker wire combo.

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Posted by bluebarracuda

Member since Oct 2011

18840 posts

Posted on 7/18/22 at 10:21 am to Aubie Spr96

Shure makes some, but they're like $500ea

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Posted by The Next

Baton Rouge

Member since Oct 2013

426 posts

Posted on 7/18/22 at 10:51 am to Aubie Spr96

You are having to run a wire anyway, be it speaker, cat6, or power. Since they are overhead, you’d probably want to consider maintenance and replacement cost as well. Unless the speakers give you some really nice features, reduce your TCOO, or make workflow easier, I’d recommend sticking with hardwired speakers with an amp.

If you are dead set on IP speakers, Algo has speakers mainly suited to telephony applications but may work for what you want. Other paging manufacturers like Valcom or Bogen may have something as well but Algo seems to be a little more progressive. I doubt any of them would have the same quality sound as a hardwired solution, though.

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Posted by Aubie Spr96

lolwut?

Member since Dec 2009

43202 posts

Posted on 7/18/22 at 12:02 pm to The Next

Damn. I guess speakers haven't come as far as the cameras have. Rockwood has a traditional amp that comes with ceiling tile speakers. I've held off on getting it, but it looks like that's the only option.

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Posted by The Rodfather