I would have to reccomend Elan. Set up each zone with a keypad, touchscreen or combo, then use the VSEs

"The introduction of ELAN’s Electronic Volume Control (VSE) has created many new and creative applications including the ability to enable Variable zone functionality from a Fixed zone. One keypad in a sub zone can now control all functions of the zone including Volume Up and Volume Down while other parts of the sub zone maintain their ability to separately control volume using another keypad or volume control.

This scenario will require a zone controller -- ZPAD, VIA! or IR receiver -- and at least two VSE’s. The zone will be set to Fixed, the ZPAD or VIA! will be configured and wired for the zone in question, and the line level Zone outputs will connect to the appropriate inputs of a power amp.

The methodology is relatively straightforward. The Local IR output from a ZPAD or VIA! is routed to the IR input of a VSE while the System IR output is connected to a Z630 IR input. When the Volume Up or Volume Down buttons are pressed, these commands are sent down the System port to the Z630 (where they are ignored because the zone is set to Fixed) and down the Local port to the VSE (where they raise and lower the sub zone’s volume!) This configuration will raise/lower volume only to the speakers that are physically connected to this particular VSE and will be ignored by the rest of the zone. Each other area requiring separate volume control can have a VSE or a keypad/VSE combination. Source selection is still a zone-wide phenomenon, but each sub zone can now regulate its own volume with a keypad, VIA!, or remote control!" taken from Elan's Website


Make sure you spend the time designing the zones and sources before doing this option since it does limit you to 6 sources, and the number of kepads/vse's varies with design.

This message was edited by PHSJason on 03/31/03 19:24.