I have a client that just moved in to a new house that has 4 rooms wired with Abus keypads. Each one is a home run to an ethernet jack. I understand that the keypad has the amp built in.

Has anybody used this system and what did you think of it.
Thanks in advance

Steve

Yes, It is a marginal background music system..Easy to use, easy to install..The nice thing is it has pre-outs so it could be ran to a sub in the same room and that can help..They are available from almost anywhere and lots of companies have an oem now..

THXRick

Just to clarify.....

They are NOT run to an "Ethernet" Jack....

Whoever installed the system happened to used a Cat-5 jack for termination.....

Plugging a Russound into an Ethernet jack could be devistating since theres Voltage on the Abus.

That being said... I agree with Rick... Marginnal performance, Inexpensive... Lacks any real control of the componants.....

Thanks Guys. I was mainly concerned with reliability. One of the zones has a pair of outdoor speakers. All of the zones have an extra 16/4 at the keypad location. I may try and convince him to go with SSCV volume controls and a 2 channel power amp.

A Bus keypads are amplified. They have about a 7 or 8 watt amplifier on each pad. I would suggest using an external power amplifier to drive the outdoor speakers.
You certainly can use the preamp out on the keypad to that external amp, so the customer sees the same controls throughout the house.

I've installed several of the Abus systems.

Haven't had a single complaint.

For those customers who are in the "budget" market (not everyone is willing to pay 10K for four rooms of music), this is a GREAT system.

Easy install, good margins and easy to operate, which makes it a good deal for both the installer and the homeowner.

2nd that Trunk-Slammer ... The A-BUS system is a nice fit for the homeowner on a budget and it beats the heck out of rotary volume controls, speaker selectors and all that crap ... I sell a lot of them and have had VERY few problems with the system ... Easy to install also ...

I'll even go as far as to disagree w/Impaqt. I've done several A-Bus systems, and when used w/efficient, quality speakers (I used Paradigm's Reference SA-10 and SA-15's), the sound is far beyond 'marginal' - I'd say it's very good.

A-Bus is obviously not designed for critical listening locations, but for dining rooms, kitchens, etc., it's a great product.

I guess it all depends on your definition of Marginal.... Average is all reletive in this industry. My average system is powered by 30-65 watt dedicated amplifiers to each speaker. Put a Speakercraft BB1265 on those Paragdigms and you'll hear a whole new speaker.

Impaqt, Can you beleive this?? dcci, not to offend you but if you beleive that a-bus "SOUNDS GOOD" than what you think of say,Audio Acces, audio control, crestron, multi-room systems..must leave your jaw on the floor..7 to 9 watts, I don't care how effiecient the speakers are, will sound like ass after any true volume is applied..BTW dcci the THX in my name does'nt mean thanks..

THXRick

Ease up Rick ...


We're talking about an entry level system that is a good solution for certain projects. You can't compare it to the systems you mentioned.

Fact of the matter is that the russound system does NOT sound "Very good" as dcci stated.
It is a good system... I'm not debating that part of the question at hand.... There are just substantially better sounding systems out there.

The russound abus does not even sound better than a well put together impedence matched system. A Speakercraft BB275 w/ a S8 and VCR-60's will give the same if not better sound quality. The russound just offers a little more control and aestetic appeal.

now for a small step up in price, you can do a SpeakerCraft EZ6, Their Keypads, and a BB1235.

That IS in the same general price range and surpasses the russound in sound quality. Then from there you can get into the more serious systems which are again a substantial step up......

Ever hear a House full of Triad Gold in-walls powered by a stack of Crown amplifers????

I have..............

(Homer Simpson): "Crrrrrroooooooowwwnnnn...mmmmmmm"

Come on guys, the A-bus is a good buy for the money.

You're kind of off point when you claim something that cost twice as much ( or more) sounds better. Well of course, shouln't it? You're not talking apples to apples. Hell not even apples to oranges.....lol

And I'll go out on a limb while I'm at this rant. I guess this is a rant, hey?

AudioAccess? Some of the worst engineered crapola I've ever seen. I wouldn't use it on ANY job.

Hmmmm, that should get some flames going....lol

I just went back through all the posts and cant find one where anyone said that the Russound system sucked.... I cant even find a response that indicated the system was bad.

The system is reliable. the system makes sound that most people can live with. It is way better than most intercom systems for audio quality.


All that said.... You CAN get Much better sound quality at the same price point. It may not be zoned.... But it will sound better.

As for the AudioAccess comment in the last response.... Obviously some who doesnt know the product very well.