Multi room audio

[Basil959]

Hope someone has some input..

I'm building a new house and have always dreamed of a multi room audio setup with ceiling mount speakers. Firstly I'm not a rockstar and have a limited budget....

I currently use plex and a DLNA server to stream content off my PC. I would like to have a central server with "zoned" audio which can allow for individual zone volume controls ideally this would be controlled via a tablet / phone.

I have tried to search for info but it seems there is just to much out there.. can anyone recommend a brand or model I can do some research on? (I'm off the uk shortly and might consider bring an amp back if it's cheaper)

 

[AlmightyBender]

Definately possible. I was just in a holiday home a few weekends ago and they had a system that you are speaking of. Had an Dennon amp and to that was connected some kind of multi-zone controller where you could set the levels for each zone and also each speaker in that zone. Had Jamo speakers mounted into the walls. Was awesome!

But sadly I can't for the life of me remember what brand/model the controller was but at least what you're looking to do is definately possible. Could try and go speak to a high-end audio visual shop and they can point you in the right direction

 

[rrh]

A number of amps have a zoned output system. However there is more to it than that.

A true zoned system - at minimum - allows the user to select both the input (e.g. radio / iPod / etc.) and the volume for each zone.

Russound is a company that manufactures (exclusively) multi-zone systems. See:

http://www.homemation.co.za/russound/

http://www.russound.com/

NB: Not a supplier, just a happy Russound user.

 

[Basil959]

Awesome.. thanks for the info..

 

[ThatOtherGuy]

This has been on my mind as well. I am already doing it on a small scale. My server has Plex and my and my wife's tablet has a UPnP client installed. So we can stream music and videos from my server. Isn't it possible to do what you trying to do by just connecting your tablet in each room to a set of powered speakers in that room? Or is that too simplistic?

 

[Doodler]

Ever considered sonos? Been wanting the same setup but the sonos just seems so much easier and you get to control everything from an app.

 

[undesign]

Apple Airplay

 

[Freaksta]

This has been on my mind as well. I am already doing it on a small scale. My server has Plex and my and my wife's tablet has a UPnP client installed. So we can stream music and videos from my server. Isn't it possible to do what you trying to do by just connecting your tablet in each room to a set of powered speakers in that room? Or is that too simplistic?

I was thinking about something similar.

Would it not be possible to use an old android phone with plex on as the client. You push music to the phone over wifi, phone uses aux to rca to amp to ceiling speakers?

I have multiple android phones laying around, the problem comes in finding a cost effective amp. I'm far from an audio freak and price sensitive. Anyone have ideas for an amp that accepts RCA and has say 4 speaker output?

 

[neilronaldson]

sonos is your answer - dont touch anything else - they have been around the longest and their product works faultlessly!!
denon heos copied them and i wont support denon heos!! sonos sued them for 4 copyright infringements!!! bastards!!

if you want highend and you want something that works aswell as sonos - bluesound.