ᐅ Planning Multimedia and Smart Home Lighting in a New Build

That’s okay, as I mentioned, my KNX planner told me it would be expensive, so I discarded the idea. I’m not an expert; my idea was that when I come home with my phone in my pocket, my playlist would start playing and stuff like that... and if it all runs in stereo, it gets even more expensive because each amplifier can only connect to two speakers.

That was my experience, which doesn’t mean my planner knows everything or is the best... but I shared my experience.

Many roads lead to Rome. Perhaps the planner had a less pragmatic approach in mind than ruppsn.

I installed ceiling speakers in my home, controlled via HifiBerry with Max2Play (both LMS and Apple AirPlay work). This setup allows you to do basically anything you want.

Cost per room:
- 2 speakers for a total of 50 Euro
- Airtight ceiling mounting box 15 Euro
- Hi-Fi Berry about 50 Euro
- Raspberry Pi for 40 Euro
- Cables 5 Euro
Total approximately 160 Euro per room

It might seem like a DIY solution, but setting it up is so simple that anyone comfortable with using a computer can manage it.

I use Edomi for visualization and logic control, which includes pre-built components for managing the system via KNX. However, similar options exist for almost any logic engine.

I initially considered Sonos but didn’t want to rely on a single provider. Who knows what ideas they might come up with in the future? Also, I had read that they collect data.

Best regards

Hi ONeill,

ONeill schrieb:
I installed ceiling speakers and control is via HifiBerry with Max2Play (both LMS and Apple AirPlay work)

also a very nice solution. I still have Max2Play lying around here somewhere

ONeill schrieb:
- Airtight flush-mounted ceiling box 15 Euro

Out of curiosity: how are you installing? Concrete ceilings? Cast-in-place or prefabricated slab? Are you using individual contracts or a general contractor / construction manager / main contractor? I ask because we had a meeting today with our structural contractor (individual contract), and he mentioned about 70 EUR per concrete ceiling box in the prefabricated elements.

ONeill schrieb:
At first, I was also considering Sonos, but I didn’t want to rely on a single provider. Who knows what ideas they might have in the future? Also, I’d heard they collect some data.

Yes, the dependence on a single provider is an issue. It’s probably no different with any other commercial system. With a “DIY solution” (no disrespect intended), you’re definitely safer here.

Regarding data collection: I can easily imagine that! However, they won’t be able to collect any more data than any streaming service – and frankly, I don’t mind if they know my listening habits and music taste. They might even improve their taste because of it.

A Play One with Alexa in the house? No way.

Ah, okay, my prices are not entirely accurate, as they only cover material costs.

We built using a timber frame construction method and did the electrical work ourselves.

Labor costs would, of course, be added on top of that, but it still should be far from 1000 euros.

Ah, okay, thanks! For a timber frame structure, I would also consider installing a few more ceiling junction boxes for power modules. But chasing channels in sand-lime brick and mounting boxes in precast concrete slabs really lowers my enthusiasm [emoji6]
Have you ever thought about setting up a video intercom system using Edomi and your Fire tablets? The camera isn’t an issue, but the audio connection is still causing me some problems... sorry, a bit off-topic [emoji51]