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Topic:
Whole House Audio Thoughts...
This thread has 34 replies. Displaying posts 1 through 15.
Post 1 made on Wednesday March 19, 2014 at 16:52
kennonh
Long Time Member
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Whole house audio is a great idea, but a lot of they systems look like they were designed in the late 90s. I've seen increasing demand for a system that can easily be controlled from a smart phone and the source being internet streaming. Some clients don't want the ugly in-wall controllers. Sonos seems to be the best option for this, but they sure are expensive for what it is. Depending on the client's budget, I'll give several options:

Low end: Apple airplay with amplifier and speaker selector
Midrange: HTD
Higher end: Sonos: either their amp or just the connect with another amp

What are you guys using?

Any distributor or way of purchasing Sonos cheaper? My local distributor doesn't carry them, and my go to online distributor SNAP doesn't carry them or have any viable options.

Thanks
Post 2 made on Wednesday March 19, 2014 at 17:03
drewski300
Super Member
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How is a Connect with an amp "high end" vs. amp and Airplay? It's like a difference of maybe $250....
"Just when I thought you couldn't possibly be any dumber, you go and do something like this... and totally redeem yourself!"
Post 3 made on Wednesday March 19, 2014 at 17:09
Fred Harding
Super Member
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Russound c5 and dms3.1 offers wonderful streaming options. Add external power amps as needed for better performance.
On the West Coast of Wisconsin
Post 4 made on Wednesday March 19, 2014 at 17:21
Mr. Brad
Advanced Member
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On March 19, 2014 at 17:09, Fred Harding said...
Russound c5 and dms3.1 offers wonderful streaming options. Add external power amps as needed for better performance.

+1

Or Sonos, or Crestron. That's our three choices.
Post 5 made on Wednesday March 19, 2014 at 17:53
ceied
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in what world is sonos high end?

sonos is bottom of the barrel with no fidelity, crap ass internal amps and not even a real matrix environment... yeah yeah yeah you guys are selling the shit out of it...but no thank you, i will pass... to me sonos is just a source like a tuner or cd player, nothing more!
Ed will be known as the Tiger Woods of the integration business, followed closely with the renaming of his company to "Hotties A/V". The tag line will be "We like big racks and tight holes"...
Post 6 made on Wednesday March 19, 2014 at 18:11
fcwilt
Senior Member
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1,283
Hey are those teeth marks on your nose?
Regards, Frederick C. Wilt
Post 7 made on Wednesday March 19, 2014 at 18:35
longshot16
Super Member
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This guy is new to this arena it seems and is looking for some options.

Sonos is best to be direct (for now, who knows what will happen in the mean time).

The Air play plus amp selection is an option but no different than the zone 2 off of AVR's from the 90's.

What you sell is not based on your budget. Sell great solutions and the price becomes irrelevant. You customers want value not cheap.
The Unicorn Whisperer
Post 8 made on Wednesday March 19, 2014 at 18:51
Duct Tape
Loyal Member
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5,295
URC Total Control

I like that any analog source that I send into one amp, is streamed over the network to all of the amps.  saves on wiring and the sound quality is excellent with no delay between rooms.
[Link: facebook.com]
Post 9 made on Wednesday March 19, 2014 at 18:56
longshot16
Super Member
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Sipping on that TC kool-aid huh? Reliable stuff? Does it really require a super network? I don't what a system that requires a network that costs more than the Control.
The Unicorn Whisperer
Post 10 made on Wednesday March 19, 2014 at 19:03
goldenzrule
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8,470
On March 19, 2014 at 18:56, longshot16 said...
Sipping on that TC kool-aid huh? Reliable stuff? Does it really require a super network? I don't what a system that requires a network that costs more than the Control.

Edgemax or Edgemax light, one or two Unifi Long Range, and you're good. Yes it needs a great network, but the feedback from our clients has been great. They love the system, interfaces, and ease of use.
Post 11 made on Wednesday March 19, 2014 at 19:05
longshot16
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Cool.
The Unicorn Whisperer
OP | Post 12 made on Wednesday March 19, 2014 at 20:21
kennonh
Long Time Member
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March 2014
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I should have prefaced my ponderings: Let me define my definition of high end: I am NOT talking about audio quality. I'm talking about the budget. I was just looking for what other people are using to compete with SONOS as far as smart phone control is concerned. I've researched a lot and have not found a solution that is as seamless as SONOS for whole house audio without in-wall controls and also able to be controlled by a smart phone.

Drewski: let's not compare Sonos to airplay. Airplay is not exactly suitable for whole house audio. I recommend it for folks that just want the same thing playing in the whole house with one amp and a speaker selector. Volume will be controlled through airplay device. Also you cannot sync multiple Airplay clients together for seamless audio without delay and control volume per room without the use of a computer.

ceied: What do you like to install and recommend? Hating on a product without an alternative isn't helping!

Fred: thanks for the suggestion

Whole house audio isn't a maximum fidelity thing. If you are chasing that, well you will continue to chase that unicorn. Customers just want something that sounds good to them, reliable, and is easy for them to operate.

It's always good to hear everyone's opinions. Forums are a great way to hash out what's working for folks and what isn't. There are so many products on the market that we can't afford to buy every single one and test them out.
OP | Post 13 made on Wednesday March 19, 2014 at 20:24
kennonh
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Fred: is the Russound able to be controlled from a smart phone? Volume, source, etc...
Post 14 made on Wednesday March 19, 2014 at 20:25
ceied
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well i am out of the game as of last year... but our entry level system for say 6-8 zones of audio only started north of 20k... i have 19 years in the av industry, my street creds are real... now my mental stability creds...those can be questioned!

my last system before i closed the company down was 8 zones, 7 sources audio only and it was right about 28k

sonos and russound are not even in the same zip code of the products i used so why bother...
Ed will be known as the Tiger Woods of the integration business, followed closely with the renaming of his company to "Hotties A/V". The tag line will be "We like big racks and tight holes"...
OP | Post 15 made on Wednesday March 19, 2014 at 20:28
kennonh
Long Time Member
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ceied: I think we all have mental issues since we decided to deal with finicky electronics.

Fred: I found a youtube video on the Russound with the smartphone app. Looks nice. Hope it performs as well.
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