ᐅ Planning a Home Theater System – Control Options and Various Questions
Created on: 6 Nov 2015 11:44
W
Weitling09
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!
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!
N
nordanney6 Nov 2015 13:51@ Sebastian79
Why use outlets with bananas? My outlets cost about 2 € (roughly $2.20), and I don’t need any extra connectors for that. The boxes in the living room stay in place for their entire lifespan (the location of the receiver won’t change either), and nobody can see the outlets anyway. To me, the outlets are too expensive—I was already satisfied with the floor boxes for the surround speakers.
Everything else is done via Wi-Fi...
Why use outlets with bananas? My outlets cost about 2 € (roughly $2.20), and I don’t need any extra connectors for that. The boxes in the living room stay in place for their entire lifespan (the location of the receiver won’t change either), and nobody can see the outlets anyway. To me, the outlets are too expensive—I was already satisfied with the floor boxes for the surround speakers.
Everything else is done via Wi-Fi...
S
Sebastian796 Nov 2015 13:55Do you know? Seriously, I found it much nicer to have plug connections there. It always depends on how you place the receiver and what the furniture looks like where it is located (maybe entirely glass or very minimalist/naked?).
As I said, in my opinion, Wi-Fi should primarily not be considered in new builds because it is only a retrofit solution – during the shell construction phase, you can easily install cables and so on, so why not make use of that?
As I said, in my opinion, Wi-Fi should primarily not be considered in new builds because it is only a retrofit solution – during the shell construction phase, you can easily install cables and so on, so why not make use of that?
N
nordanney6 Nov 2015 14:12Sebastian79 schrieb:
Do you know? –
you can install cables so easily during the shell construction, why not take advantage of that? ... because of your first sentence, I prefer not to install junction boxes everywhere – I want to stay flexible.
Based on our floor plan, the positions of the sideboard (receiver unit), TV, and speakers are fixed – it’s more of a TV corner with a lounge sofa (there wasn’t enough space for a proper home theater).
Otherwise, you are absolutely right, during the new build phase you can lay many cables – everyone should make use of that. It will never be this affordable again.
Now we’re drifting a bit off topic – let’s see what the original poster thinks of all our suggestions.
W
Weitling096 Nov 2015 14:43My last post seems to have been overlooked:
Weitling09 schrieb:
@nordanney:
Regarding the wireless option (Sonos or similar): Is it really the case that streaming can only be done from a phone or PC? Or can I stream normally from the receiver (CD player or radio...)?
Why would there be obvious cables with the wired option as well? Wouldn't those just be a few centimeters from the wall outlet to the speaker!?
I wasn’t aware that I’d need a second amplifier for Zone 2, which is obviously inconvenient and actually a deal-breaker! I only wanted small in-wall speakers in the dining area.
How does Yamaha's "Zone B" work? Would standard speaker cables be sufficient there?
@Sebastian79: Which outlet would you recommend? With "banana plugs"? Just to clarify: that means I would need 4x2 wall inputs at the receiver (image 1), and a normal outlet at each speaker (2x rear, 2x stereo dining area) (image 2) – is that correct?
N
nordanney6 Nov 2015 15:201. Streaming: Internet, cloud, smartphone, PC, but not from the receiver
2. Power cables are only a few centimeters (inches) long, and you don’t see them behind the device either
3. Yamaha: no idea, but if it only has 5 amplifiers, a second amplifier is probably needed
4. Speaker cables: standard ones that match the length, amplifier, and speakers are always sufficient
2. Power cables are only a few centimeters (inches) long, and you don’t see them behind the device either
3. Yamaha: no idea, but if it only has 5 amplifiers, a second amplifier is probably needed
4. Speaker cables: standard ones that match the length, amplifier, and speakers are always sufficient
S
Sebastian796 Nov 2015 15:23I had given you a recommendation for an outlet...
For example, my Pioneer can stream all the mentioned media.
For example, my Pioneer can stream all the mentioned media.
Similar topics