What do I need

MRTULES

Hi all,

I have the house wired for 2 ceiling speakers in 5 rooms. I have also wired for a 5.1 surround sound in another room. all cables go back to a central hub.
My question is what do I need to connect all these ampwise? I would like the ability to play different music in each zone or the same music in selected zones ect and also to have surround sound when playing from PC and PS3.

Thanks in advance

WillyFXP

You need what's called a multi zone amplifier for the stereo speakers in the 5 rooms and probably a separate AV amp for the surround speakers, what's your budget?

MRTULES

Thanks for the reply. The budget is zero atm. I would be more incline to do the surround sound first and leave the zone amp for a few years in that case I reckon. What is entry level budget?
Thanks again

WillyFXP

http://www.tsnversand.de/home-cinema/av-receiver/onkyo-tx-sr-313-schwarz.htm
Probably the best deal available for an entry level amp, shipping is €25

If you have a bigger budget then this will also feed one other room directly to the ceiling speakers
http://www.tsnversand.de/home-cinema/av-receiver/onkyo-tx-nr-515-schwarz.htm

MRTULES

Is there anyway of hooking these ceiling speakers up from a pc?? Im thinking that I could possibly play all my music, podcasts and live radio from the PC and some how select where an when it plays. If I can use my android devices to as a remote this would be sweet too.
Am I dreaming here or does such a thing exist?

Idleater

MRTULES wrote: »

Am I dreaming here or does such a thing exist?

It exists, it's called an amplifier. You connect your source (pc) to it via line (low) level output (red white rca) and it pushes it through the speakers. The energy required to make noise in a speaker isn't provided for in line out.

MRTULES

@Idleater
Do the amps that were linked above fit into what you were talking about also?
I may have vastly misjudge the cost of this project. When you buy one of these, is the amp built into the the dvd player? This was kind of the price range I was looking at for speakers and all.

Idleater

MRTULES wrote: »

When you buy one of these, is the amp built into the the dvd player? This was kind of the price range I was looking at for speakers and all.

I think the amp is actually built into the subwoofer (the bass box) and all the speakers are fed from that. The DVD player has very limited connectivity so I don't think you'll get multi zone audio from it.

From the two onkyo above the 515 has zone 2 capability. You can set it up as 5.1 and 2.0 zone 1 and zone 2. The 315 is one zone 5.1 only.

To play different music in different zones at the same time you really need a multi room system like sonos which has a box in each room connected wirelessly or you need to build a multi room setup in one place if all your wiring goes back to somewhere.

For the latter you can power the speakers with individual amps such as these or with one multichannel amplifier like this. You then need a pre amp to feed the power amps.

The onkyo 515 linked above combines the pre and power amps for two zones into one box, I only give you the examples here so you see what components are involved per zone. i.e. each speaker pair requires a separate amp if you want to control the individual audio going to that zone.

If you have 6 speakers (3 pairs) that you want the same thing to play in each one at the same time, the onkyo will do that assuming it has a 6 channel stereo mode.

Sufficiently confused???

WillyFXP

MRTULES wrote: »

I may have vastly misjudge the cost of this project.

It appears so

MRTULES

Thanks for that. I have the idea now but I am wondering why you wouldnt just get one of these in each room?? Seems a total waste of money tbh.

WillyFXP

MRTULES wrote: »

Thanks for that. I have the idea now but I am wondering why you wouldnt just get one of these in each room?? Seems a total waste of money tbh.

It's all down to personal preference at the end of the day. If you want noise in each room, no matter the quality of that noise, then the cheapest option is fine. You did give the impression that you wanted a decent sound system throughout your house in your original post, which resulted in the suggestions you received. Unfortunately, quality does come at a price.

MRTULES

OK well, how about bottom of the barrel? What would be the cheapest way of utilizing the cabling other than doing nothing? forget about playing different noise in different rooms. how about the ability to play noise from a pc to Two sets of speakers?

WillyFXP

MRTULES wrote: »

OK well, how about bottom of the barrel? What would be the cheapest way of utilizing the cabling other than doing nothing? forget about playing different noise in different rooms. how about the ability to play noise from a pc to Two sets of speakers?

You still need an amplifier, PC outputs are not amplified. Any amp/stereo/midi/mini system with a line in/aux input will be able to amplify the signal from the PC. The only thing you need to watch with that option is the ohm rating of the amp, if it's 4ohm amp and you want to run 2 sets of speakers from it, then you will need speakers which are rated at 8ohms, running 2 speakers in parallel from the same output effectively halves their ohm rating. Using speakers which are rated lower than the output of the amp can damage circuits in the amp, as they are working too hard.

MRTULES

Thank you very much. I will get back to researching this. I appreciate all the help and info.
One last question about the 5.1 surround sound. The video will be coming from PC, UPC HD+ box and PS3. It will be displayed on a tv and through a projector. How can I hook up a 5.1 to complete this task? any recomendations?
Thanks again

WillyFXP

MRTULES wrote: »

Thank you very much. I will get back to researching this. I appreciate all the help and info.
One last question about the 5.1 surround sound. The video will be coming from PC, UPC HD+ box and PS3. It will be displayed on a tv and through a projector. How can I hook up a 5.1 to complete this task? any recomendations?
Thanks again

The only viable option without using converter/splitter boxes (which can be very expensive) etc is to invest in an AVR. They have multiple inputs and outputs so you could hook up everything at the same time. If your projector has HDMI input, you will need an AVR with 2 HDMI outputs, either that or an HDMI switch box to switch between the TV and projector.

MRTULES

I am going to be getting something like this

WillyFXP

MRTULES wrote: »

I am going to be getting something like this

That still wont amplify any audio signal.

MRTULES

WillyFXP wrote: »

That still wont amplify any audio signal.

I understand I was wondering if this would work with that entry level amp you suggested in an earlier post? Speaking of which, that is €274 inc p&p? No speakers? seems a little steep for bottom of the barrel?

Thanks

WillyFXP

MRTULES wrote: »

I understand I was wondering if this would work with that entry level amp you suggested in an earlier post? Speaking of which, that is €274 inc p&p? No speakers? seems a little steep for bottom of the barrel?

Thanks

There is no point in buying that HDMI switch if you are getting an amp, you only need a simple splitter to take the single output to both the TV and projector. Yes, thats €274 including p+p without speakers.
The bottom line is, if you want 5.1, your options are -
1.Cheapo all in one DVD/BluRay cinema system, no multiple HDMI inputs, lots of arsing around with other boxes/splitters/switches adding more expense, probably ending up not much cheaper than a dedicated AV amp.
2. Entry level AV amp + entry level speaker set, going to be around €400 initial outlay, but provides what you need sound wise. Slightly more expensive amp will also give you the option of feeding other rooms.

There isn't really anything more I can add to this thread, it's going to be your choice on what you want/need/can afford.

MRTULES

Thanks man and sorry for being such a noob about this. Really out of my depth here but trying to learn as quick as possible.
Last thing so, That switch I'm getting is to spread hdmi from 4 different inputs to 4 different TV's and 1 projector. I will be adding splitters and hdmi over cat5 extenders to reach everywhere. I will only want the 5.1 hooked up to 1 tv and projector but will be playing 5.1 from UPC box, PS3 and my PC.

WillyFXP

MRTULES wrote: »

Thanks man and sorry for being such a noob about this. Really out of my depth here but trying to learn as quick as possible.
Last thing so, That switch I'm getting is to spread hdmi from 4 different inputs to 4 different TV's and 1 projector. I will be adding splitters and hdmi over cat5 extenders to reach everywhere. I will only want the 5.1 hooked up to 1 tv and projector but will be playing 5.1 from UPC box, PS3 and my PC.

Between the switch and the 4 sets of cat5 extenders you're already laying out at least €200, not including the cat5 cables, all for the sake of watching the same thing on 5 TV's? You still wont have 5.1 sound. I really dont understand what you are trying to achieve here. I'm not even sure you're getting the correct equipment to do what you describe, that switch only has 2 HDMI outputs, not 5.

As for the 5.1, probably your cheapest option without going for a seperate amp and speakers is something like the logitech Z906, it has 2 optical and 1 coaxial digital inputs, so would fulfill your audio needs for the PC, PS3 and UPC box (provided they have the correct outputs), and would be able to use your existing speaker cables.

RonnieWhelan

If you are looking for a cheap multi-room system check out Russound ABUS system, the keypads are pretty basic towards whats available these days, but you can start with 2 zones and expand.

Just add a apple airplay as a source and control your music choice via a smart phone remote app.

pm me if you want any more info

WillyFXP

RonnieWhelan wrote: »

If you are looking for a cheap multi-room system check out Russound ABUS system, the keypads are pretty basic towards whats available these days, but you can start with 2 zones and expand.

Just add a apple airplay as a source and control your music choice via a smart phone remote app.

pm me if you want any more info

You're talking a minimum of €1000 to get this setup BEFORE you have bought any sources or speakers, did you read the OP's requirements?

RonnieWhelan

WillyFXP wrote: »

You're talking a minimum of €1000 to get this setup BEFORE you have bought any sources or speakers, did you read the OP's requirements?

sorry your correct, speaker cable is wired back to central closet ruling A-bus out, but €1,000.00 for a 2 zone system is way over the top, who gave you that price?

WillyFXP

RonnieWhelan wrote: »

sorry your correct, speaker cable is wired back to central closet ruling A-bus out, but €1,000.00 for a 2 zone system is way over the top, who gave you that price?

Very quick google search, only looked at 2 sources, both around the grand mark for the basic setup.

RonnieWhelan

WillyFXP wrote: »

Very quick google search, only looked at 2 sources, both around the grand mark for the basic setup.

you sure that's not 4 zone systems?

Stevo105

MRTULES wrote: »

Thanks for that. I have the idea now but I am wondering why you wouldnt just get one of these in each room?? Seems a total waste of money tbh.

Is he not going with his clock radios in each room. lol

WillyFXP

RonnieWhelan wrote: »

you sure that's not 4 zone systems?

Doesn't look like the 2 zone system is still available, all i can find is 4 zone.

RonnieWhelan

WillyFXP wrote: »

Doesn't look like the 2 zone system is still available, all i can find is 4 zone.

There still available all right i'd imagine €600/€700 would get a 2 zone installed, of course speakers would be an extra cost, but cheap enough ones available on ebay.

Edit: If the guy lived in a bungalow and could drop/loop the speaker cable past the location he wanted the keypad the A-Bus could still be a go. Or maybe he could enlighten us with the way his home is wired, cat5, speaker cable?

WillyFXP

RonnieWhelan wrote: »

There still available all right i'd imagine €600/€700 would get a 2 zone installed, of course speakers would be an extra cost, but cheap enough ones available on ebay.

Edit: If the guy lived in a bungalow and could drop/loop the speaker cable past the location he wanted the keypad the A-Bus could still be a go. Or maybe he could enlighten us with the way his home is wired, cat5, speaker cable?

From what he's saying 6 - 700 is still way above his budget, and I personally wouldn't pay 6-700 quid for a 7.5w digital amp with a switch box attached just so I can control it with my iPhone. 600 quid will buy you a very good mid range AVR.

MRTULES

Stevo105 wrote: »

Is he not going with his clock radios in each room. lol

So after a lot of research I think I will be going with something like the above. Its a pity because all that speaker cable is ready to be used but the cost is ridiculous!! Also will probably end up going with something like this hooked up to PS3/UPC box for my 5.1 surround sound. so for less than €150 I'm getting everything I need including clock radios? Can you see any obvious flaws here?
As I am pressing the post button, I can hear the sound of 1000 facepalms :pac:
But please tell me if and why I am why off the mark here.
Is this just the most ridiculous thing to do ever?
Thanks in advance and all thoughts are appreciated.

RonnieWhelan

MRTULES wrote: »

So after a lot of research I think I will be going with something like the above. Its a pity because all that speaker cable is ready to be used but the cost is ridiculous!! Also will probably end up going with something like this hooked up to PS3/UPC box for my 5.1 surround sound. so for less than €150 I'm getting everything I need including clock radios? Can you see any obvious flaws here?
As I am pressing the post button, I can hear the sound of 1000 facepalms :pac:
But please tell me if and why I am why off the mark here.
Is this just the most ridiculous thing to do ever?
Thanks in advance and all thoughts are appreciated.

Ha no face palms its all down to what you can afford and require, to get the correct set up you need the following but it will cost unfortunately.

Do you know what way your system is wired?

System 1. Cat5 running to each zone for keypad, speaker cable returned to keypad location
System 2. Cat5 and speaker cable returned back to the central closet?

If your home is wired System 1 you are set up for Russound A-BUS, if System 2 you are wired for the more expensive systems like Russound CAA or C-Series.

MRTULES

Wired for system 2 I'm afraid. I not really big on different music in every room. It sounded nice at the time but I dont listen to music. I dont even own any music let alone an mp3 player. I would listen to talkradio a bit but would only really like it in the kitchen, bedroom and bathroom. I had hoped i could download podcasts on to my pc and play them while in bed at night.

RonnieWhelan

MRTULES wrote: »

Wired for system 2 I'm afraid. I not really big on different music in every room. It sounded nice at the time but I dont listen to music. I dont even own any music let alone an mp3 player. I would listen to talkradio a bit but would only really like it in the kitchen, bedroom and bathroom. I had hoped i could download podcasts on to my pc and play them while in bed at night.

You can use it for all your Video sources, like Sky box, Freeview, PS3, Xbox, DVD player and Apple TV.

But you would also need 2 cat5e cables run to your TV points in each room from the central closet to achieve this, then you can view/listen to any of the sources in any of the zones buy choosing the source on the keypad in each zone.

Cheapest option for you would be a Russound CAA66 and adding video matrix, but i'd imagine its well over your budget going by previous posts.