the main problem with the ts-pro, is you can not add custom macro's for sat/cbl music. i feel at $800 retail, this should be a no brainer. I just finished a job with a zr6. i used the basic solo keypad but in the main family room i used an mx5000 (urc) and in mstr and kids bedroom an mx-980. i used the psx2 (urc) dock and distr the video to all 3 tv's. the only rooms that really need the keypad are 2 bathrooms and the kitchen..

What type of macro were you trying to do for music?

i'm sorry, i was talking about the ts-pro.. you can not create names such as, blues, jazz, rock, and create a macro for them..you were able to do this on the old ts-1 from the zr4630/8630

Hi
I discovered this thread while researching home audio systems. I'm in the process of evaluating Nuvo Grand Concerto vs Niles ZR-6 in my new home. I have 2 techs bidding on the job that have spec'd a 12 zone system for the Nuvo (2 receivers with 12 keypads) and a 14 zone (3 Niles ZR-6 with 14 keypads).

The installed Nuvo is running me 15K inclusive of IPOD, am/fm, 15 pairs of Episode 8" speakers, 1 Episode 12 channel amp.

The installed Niles system is circa $14K for the equipment (inclusive of Polk 8" speakers) + another 5K for installation, total 19K.

Considering there are many experts on this site, what is the opinion of these 2 systems. Niles costs 30% more - is it worth it? I've read tons of reviews and there are lovers and haters on both sides. What's the best value for my money. Both my husband and I are semi-technical and avid IPOD users, but I would rate us as intermediate sound folks. We have no experience in home audio systems so would love some expert advice.

The home I'm building is circa 8000 square feet. I am looking for an easy to use system where I can upload my music easily (predominantly mp3s but some CDs), have a central repository and easy to use keypads that are intuitive.


Thanks -
Lady in Jersey

There are some unseen things here. For one the Niles Option is 14 zones zones, which means more KP's and more speakers to wire and install, however you say 15 paids of speakers in the NuVo system, so how is all of this being configured.

A Nuvo Grand Concerto list's for about $800 more (no iPod dock) compared to the Niles ZR6 (6 zoned, 6 meta data keypads with iPod connetion $3200).

Are teh two installation firms on par with each other in terms of quality of craftsmanship and servicing? Does one bid include rackmount hardware? In general I would say the two systems are very comparable. The Nuvo has slightly more options and the GC system gets you a larger keypad, but the difference in pricing gets me concerned, b/c the Niles option seems like it should be less????

Met with the client today and she doesn't like the look of the TS-Pro...

Will the Solo-6MD be able to control all zones in a party mode config??  That's all she really cares about in terms of global control.

Let me add - will they be able to control global volume in party mode with the Solo-6MD?

Thanks.

8000 sq ft new home... last thing i am worried about is cost..... i would make sure the dealer is solid(find a dealer you can trust and dont shop the guy and compare systems, it will drive you crazy with he said she said bullshit!) and i would use a better system than the ones specified. why spend 15k-19k and get an ok system when you can spend a bit more and get a kick ass system...... ipods do not make good quality sound...it make convenience at the expense of sound!...

I think the Solo-6MD is a great control if that's all they need. As for party modes. I know you can setup party mode that sets everything to a specified level, but I don't know if you can then have a master volume that controls all the zones up and down together.

Yea, the global volume control isn't such a big deal, but the party mode via the Solo-6MD for all zones is critical - can that keypad put all zones in party mode?

Yes, I think there is ONE Party mode, which you configure. You decide which zones get turned on and to what volume level each zone is set to. If I remember right, you just press and hold the desired source for 3 seconds and it activates the Party Mode Presets and sets to that selected source. Very easy to do.

You are correct - I checked with Niles tech this morning and it looks like we don't need the TS-Pro for this client.

So far only email has been fine tuning questions from the client...

Thanks for your feedback. The Nuvo salesman is really banking on the fact that the Nuvo keypads are much more informative than the Niles. The receivers/amps appear to be comparable in quality. I am just more familiar with Niles and am wondering if I'm missing something. Equipment costs are circa 14K for both (inclusive of speakers), just that installation for Niles is $5K more. The Nuvo appears to be a better system to me but b/c I can't see it in a showroom, I am a bit hesitant. Also, most folks I know have installed Niles - perhaps based on the fact it more readily available rather than if it is actually superior.

If price is not a factor, what is the better system? One guy commented that cost should not be a concern in a 8000 sq ft home. Cost is always a concern - risk/reward is important. I am not an audiophile so not really looking to spend a lot on my system but want something that is good, intuitive and will serve my family's needs ( 3 young children, all with IPODs).

If Niles is clearly a better system,I will pay up for that. If they are comparable or if Nuvo is better and 30% less, that seems like the obvious choice.

Both technicians are well qualified and have strong references so that is not a concern.

I'm sorry it just doesn't add up. Nuvo Concerto vs Niles ZR6 - the Nuvo system has a higher MSRP. That is fact.

So there HAS to be other factors that are being missed. That could be quality of speakers, racks, type of wire being used, a number of things. But just hardware vs hardware, the Concerto is a more expensive system.

They both offer the same amount of feedback, where Nuvo has an edge is that it they have other devices that can provide feedback to the keypads, if you ever choose to invest in them. Those include AM/FM (niles already has built in), IPod dock (niles again built in, but with nuvo you can have more than one) plus music server options ($$$$).

When talking about a system like this, saying that you aren't an audiophile has very little relevance to the topic. You are talking about CONTROL here, not sound quality. If you were concerned with sound quality, you would NEVER settle for 20 watt per channels amps and dinky In-wall/ceiling speakers.

The fact is that the average person can easily spend $500 on some inceiling speakers and be happy with them AND hear the difference between those and some $200 In-ceiling speakers. How much have you allocated to speakers?

Back to the topic, the thing that matters most is that you can USE the system, regardless of how good (or bad) it sounds, if you can't use it its a waste. Both the Niles and Nuvo system are on par with one another. It still does NOT make sense to me that the Niles system is more unless you are getting better speakers (which I always say go for b/c speakers DO make a huge difference in the overall listening pleasure).

For more money I would go for an RTI, Crestron or AMX system. RTI could probably be done for the least. This way you can have an actual control system that can be customized and upgraded if you chose. You could easily integrate lighting control, home theater rooms, distributed video....the list goes on and on.

With a system like this, the system gets designed for you and your family, not packaged in a box and it is what it is and when its time to expand or upgrade you have to REPLACE (take out what you are buying now) the old with the new.

sofa_king: focus on the question. I am not concerned about other systems . Question was re: Niles and Nuvo. I realize Nuvo Concerto is MSRP 8K. They are discounting now for 3-4K - that is a fact. Do some online rsrch and you'll see. Thus for around a 14 keypad system, Nuvo is being priced lower. The Niles is being spec'd with Polk 8" speakers and the Nuvo with Episode 8" speakers. Speakers are roughly $300/pair and I need around 15 pairs. (Retail might be closer to 500).
Anyhow, I am going with Nuvo. Looks as if they are comparable and I like the Nuvo Keypads more since they appear to provide more info.

If you have an opinion on the best 8" ceiling speakers, let me know.

Thanks for your help.

Ummm, yes it was one of your questions. Maybe I'm wasting my time trying help.



I like Totem Mask In_Ceiling 8's would be my first pick. I also use Niles CM860's with good success.

B&W makes some fantastic speakers as well, CCM 818 ($1600 per pair) [Link: ultraaudio.com]

So does Sonance VP89R [Link: sonance.com]


As for Nuvo offering more info than the Niles, it doesn't, they both give standard iPod metadata. The niles gives AM/FM, the nuvo you have to buy the AM/FM tuner. Nuvo Can do more, if you buy the servers. 

Personally, I hate how NuVo lays out their Up, Down, Left & Right arrows. We are all used to ipods, and every other remote control having them in a circle, then they go and separate them, it just doens't make sense to me.