multi-room audio systems

[stephenbright]

Ive made enquiries with a few home audio suppliers to install a multi-room audio system in my house. This would control music in all the main rooms in my house from a central control box/amplifier.

The problem with these suppliers is they seem to market their systems as a 'lifestyle' product, rather than a box with a few leads and charge astronomical prices.

Richer Sounds sell a more affordable Incognito system. The problem is, when you look at their individual component prices, even these seem excessive. £100 for a learning remote control, when Novatech appear to have one for £30.

Does your product provide the same functionality ?

Also, do any of your subscribers know if it may be possible to complete a multi-room system from components made up from elsewhere ? The system basically operates through Cat 5 cable with "control pads" located in different parts of the house which receive signal form the learning remote control. These then "talk" to the main audio hub (or suitably equipped amplifier) to control the audio source/volume etc.

[Nox]

i like the look of that sonos system...

Nox

[stephenbright]

Thanks Nox.
Have taken a look at Sonos and emailed query.
Not sure if wireless is the way to go when I can easily install cabling (no walls yet !).
Have you any experience of using their system ?

Steve

[Nox]

I will have when i have the kitchen done :) only other options I looked at without dismissing fairly rapidly were slimdevices squeeze box, and some logitech remote but it looked too plastically up close. there are loads out there though but most are very immature techonologies

Nox

[JDowdall]

i think a sonos should be good for what u want they r a trusted brand in that area

[stephenbright]

These are excellent leads - I wasnt aware of any of these products.

But as a more general question, as my house is still at the construction stage, should I be concentrating on "wireless" systems when I have the ability to install cabling (Cat 5/Cat 6 ?) at very little cost ?

A cabled system could conceivably accomodate a range of possible manufacturers/systems ?

[JDowdall]

it's best to use wires because even if that doesnt work u have a wired network running throughout ur house and u can use wireless anyways!

[stephenbright]

that sounds like good sense !

Think I'll just fill the walls with wires and wait for an affordable system to come my way....

Any tips on cables ? Apparently most systems operate on Cat 5E. Am I right in thinking Cat 6 can do everything Cat 5 can do, but with plenty to spare ? Found some GigaTrue 550 Cat6, 550 MHz cable on promo.... Would this do ?

[JDowdall]

just found this while browsing round http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/multi-room-music-budget,review-29588.html hope it helps

[stephenbright]

fabulous ! Will let you know tomorrow if I have any more beginners questions...

[Nox]

Cat 6 is pretty much the same as cat 5 but with shielding, so yes - it will work.

but use cat 6.

Nox

[Ben]

If you can wire your house, this would be ideal, as you never know what types of interference & dead spots you may get with Wireless.

Think about the best place you would put your central node, and wire from there.


Cat 6 is pretty much the same as cat 5 but with shielding, so yes - it will work.

but use cat 6.

Nox

Cat 5 with shielding is still Cat5, STP or UTP (Shielded Twisted Pair or Unshielded Twisted Pair) (<1Gb/s)

Cat6 does have a plastic + running through the middle to seperate the pairs. Allowing speeds of up to frequencies of 250MHz (>1Gb/s) This can be Shielded or unshielded. CAT 6a is rumoured to support up to 10Gb/s, although it's not offical yet.

Shielded cable is much more expensive and is not necessary in a home environment. Unless you are working on Top secret data :!:

[Coops]

For new cabling CAT6 is probably the better one to lay as it supports up to 10Gbit LAN application.

Plus it is only slightly more expensive than CAT5e.

CAT6 does not have shielding as standard. It comes in same Format as CAT5e does, Shielded or Unshielded. Shielded being more expensive and only required if running close to high voltage power lines to cut down electrical interference. Although in all the time i have laid and fitted cable i have never seen a case where this happened. =)

The main difference between Cat5e and Cat6 is the performace of the copper conductors. Standard Cat5e runs at 100Mhz where as Cat6 runs at 250mhz. This increase is what allows the cable to support high speed transfers.

[stephenbright]

Thank you all very much for your assistance. I consider myself very enlightened !

Think I'll proceed with the Cat 6 cable installation and then re-assess what Audio products are out there once I've future-proofed the walls !

Thank you all once again. Any further tips on avoiding over-priced "lifestyle" products still gratefully received....

[Nox]

Maybe i should of put "pretty much" in bold... :D

Nox

[djgandy]

Definately put Cat6 in. In 10 years time you'll be thanking yourself! While you're at it think of any other cabling you may need.

[Nox]

nah, use cat 7 if you want 10 years :p

Nox