Anyone any experience with the Russound CA 4.4 and 6.4 multi-zone whole house audio systems? Or an opinion for another brand to standardize on.

Thanks
Chip

Well, I've use the 6.4 system and to be honest, It worked really well for me. It's a fairly simple system, but I was impressed in its reliability and the amplifiers seemed to have pretty good frequency response. The bass wasn't anemic at all.

So I'd say for a low cost solution it's a good bet.

If you wanted something more 'custom', check into the Audio Control Director. Now that is an awesome unit!!

The russound 6.4 works great, add the numeric keypad also for better control.
Audio Access is also a great piece. The new PX 700 is
programed via computer and are very reliable.
Kev

Any idea on cost of the PX-700? I see the new touchpad lists for $1200, but I don't see the
px-700 price.

Hmmm...that's interesting. I installed a few CA6.4's a couple of years back and I thought they sounded aweful because there was no bass whatsoever. They were the first to hit budget pricing with multi-room-in-a-box, but I think they have been surpassed over the years in quality. I like Matrix (we sell it in our stores, so I'm obviously biased). I also expect to be impressed with the new SpeakerCraft system.

Jeff

We have installed a few 6.1/6.4 systems and they have worked pretty well. The only thing I did not like was that they do not have any way of tailoring the sound with bass and treble controls so what you hear is what you get. However the intalls we did with Speakercraft 6.1's did not seem to need any adjustment anyway and the customers were very happy with it.
Jeff

List price on the Audio Access PX-700 is $3500.00. The PX-612 12 channel amp is $1995.00. I have used the CA6.4 & 4.4. I feel it is fine for background non critical listening, but for the client who likes good sound I usually go with the Xantech ZPR-68 it gives you bass, treble, and balance for each zone and is zone expandable. The Speaker Craft EZ6 needs some work. It has no mute, no all on, and sends alot of noise the the speakers from remotes and keypads. Think they need to buffer the outputs more.

Hey Chip,

As with any multi-room system, be sure you understand exactly what it will or won't do for you and your clients.

I have used the CA 6.4 and 4.4 systems and they have been reliable and sound fine for background music systems if paired with a decent in-wall. I used a Niles 12 volt triggerable power strip (now obsolete-damn) to power the tuner automatically. That way, the homeowner gets music started simply by turning a room on.

Also, I used a Kenwood CD changer (again, not for high-end sound) that has a timer function that begins playback when the unit is powered up. Connect this to the triggered power strip, and CD playback starts as soon as you turn any room on, and shuts down when the last room is turned off.

It's cheap and effective automatic control.

Good luck,

Jim D

I personally went with the PR-4Z by Russound. This allows you to choose your amplifiers, et. al. You'll have to install an IR distribution system, but if you were going to install the keypads... it isn't much different. I went Xantech IR system, PR-4Z pre-amp, Rotel AMP. You don't get bi-directional communication this way (since your control will be via a IR remote), but you get sound and video distribution for 4 zones. I don't recall exactly, but I think it was around $1,500 for the pre-amp.

The sound is very good, including bass.

Best, Cliff