ᐅ Planning a Home Theater System – Control Options and Various Questions

Created on: 6 Nov 2015 11:44

We are currently at the shell construction stage and are planning the electrical installation. So far, we have used very basic equipment for listening to music (AIWA micro system, TV sound directly from the TV), but we want to plan for more "proper" equipment in the house.

What I have in mind:
> In the living room, I would like a surround sound system that allows me to listen to both music and TV audio.
> At the same time, I want to transmit sound from this system to the dining area, where stereo sound is sufficient (just for background music).
> Ideally, I would also like to be able to set up speakers on the terrace for garden parties, which can also be connected to the same system.

My questions:
1. I have already seen that there are multi-room control systems – would that be suitable here, or are there better options?
2. What should I pay attention to when purchasing a receiver / speakers?
3. Which connectors should I plan for (receiver -> wall [connector] -> [speaker cable] -> wall [connector] -> speakers)?
4. Is there any downside to the idea of also connecting the dining area speakers via wall connectors, and for garden parties, using those connectors to connect the outdoor speakers?
5. Attached is a draft of the plan on the floor plan – what could be improved? Any advice or tips are welcome!

2D floor plan of a living area with kitchen, dining table, and sofa

Weitling096 Nov 2015 15:25

#19

@nordanney By "Are standard speaker cables sufficient there?" I meant whether an amplifier is not needed in that location.

This is how I pictured it:

Schematic home theater wiring with receiver and speakers for 5.1 and zone B system.

Weitling096 Nov 2015 15:28

#20

@Sebastian79
Box recommendation: Thanks, now I have seen/found it. And at the other end (speaker outlet) then a corresponding double box?
What about 2x front + center – I connect those directly to the receiver and not through the wall entry point, right?!

Edit: But then I could use the 2x front (which would remain free) for the two speakers in Zone B?

nordanney6 Nov 2015 16:46

#21

Weitling09 schrieb:
@nordanney By "Are regular speaker cables enough there?" I meant whether an amplifier is not necessary.

This is how I imagined it:

That works if the amplifier supports it = 7 channels, so that each channel receives power.

nordanney6 Nov 2015 16:48

#22

Weitling09 schrieb:
@Sebastian79
Recommended boxes: Thanks, now I have seen/found it. And at the other end (speaker outlet) then a corresponding double box?
What about 2x front + center – I connect those directly to the receiver and not through the wall entry point, right!?

Edit: But then I could use the 2x front (which would remain unused) for the two speakers in Zone B?

You can connect front and center however you want. The result is the same; only the appearance differs.

nordanney6 Nov 2015 16:52

#23

This is what "affordable" boxes look like if you don’t want to work with plugs.

White square wall socket with black cable on light-colored wall

Weitling096 Nov 2015 16:59

#24

nordanney schrieb:
That works if the amplifier supports it = 7 power amplifiers, so all channels receive power.

How can I tell if the receiver supports that? For example, the YAMAHA RX-V77, where the website only states: "Output via Zone B provides 2-channel sound in a second room; Zone B output means the user can also listen to 2 channels in a second room while the main zone plays 5-channel audio (same source in both zones)."

nordanney schrieb:
You can connect Front and Center however you want. The result is the same, only the appearance differs.

...and then I can use Front R+L for Zone 2?

nordanney schrieb:
This is what "budget" wall plates look like if you don’t want to use plugs.

Thanks for the picture. What are these types of wall plates called?

ᐅ Planning a Home Theater System – Control Options and Various Questions

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