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Topic:
Whole House Audio Thoughts...
This thread has 34 replies. Displaying posts 31 through 35.
Post 31 made on Thursday March 20, 2014 at 09:31
Ranger Home
Super Member
Joined:
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June 2007
3,486
As your business grows and you get a better understanding of whats out there you will look back and say "wow, look where I started and where I am" and will be able to walk away from jobs where a couple hundred bucks difference can kill a deal. I hope you quickly find that those type of jobs are just not worth your time and effort. Gotta start somewhere! Then get away from THAT somewhere lol.
Post 32 made on Thursday March 20, 2014 at 11:59
Soundsgood
Long Time Member
Joined:
Posts:
November 2005
363
You stated that you wanted something that didn’t look like it was from the 90’s but then you started talking about speaker selectors. Those are 70’s. Any system that uses speaker selectors or VC’s is horribly out of date. For the most part systems are now touch panel based. Keypads can be helpful in secondary zones where all you need is On/Off/Vol, and as a combination light/shade/music keypad in main zones.
Don’t sell with your wallet. A Sonos system made up of Connect Amps will allow you to have a multi zone, multi source system that is scalable and able to be controlled from a phone/tablet with no additional processor. It can be done for $500 per zone +speakers and install. That is CHEAP.
Sonos has its drawbacks. It can’t officially be controlled using anything other then the Sonos app. Some companies (Extra Vegetables / C4) can control Sonos from their own system but it is not supported and Sonos can crush that any time they want. As others have mentioned the sound is just OK but it can be made better by just using a Connect and an outboard DA, Amp, and good speakers. Overall if you only need OK sound and are using it as a standalone system it is a good option. If you absolutely can’t get new wire in and have to use wireless then Sonos is the most popular option.
Post 33 made on Thursday March 20, 2014 at 12:26
gerard143
Advanced Member
Joined:
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May 2012
956
On March 19, 2014 at 21:57, kennonh said...
I use SnapAV in-ceilings currently and have used Proficient in the past. Never had any issues/complaints from either brand. I've been mostly impressed with the audio quality of SnapAV. Truthfully, I've never heard a "high end" brand in-ceiling so I may be missing out. I've also never driven a Ferrari, but I have driven a BMW M3...it was cool.

I heard a 100,000 set of speakers at ehx expo years ago. I forget the brand. Started with a p I think. Think it had three letters in name. Anyways for the 100,000 they cost it wasn't that impressive
OP | Post 34 made on Thursday March 20, 2014 at 12:44
kennonh
Long Time Member
Joined:
Posts:
March 2014
61
Obviously I don't like the look of speaker selectors and the functionality wouldn't suit my needs. That's why if a customer is wanting a super simple system without stepping to a dedicated whole house audio solution, I hide an amplifier, airport express, and speaker selector in the closet. My job is to provide the customer a solution for their budget and still make money on my end and at the same time assuring me that it works reliably and the customer can easily operate the system. If they can't afford the solution, I will scale back to try and provide the best solution that fits their budget. If that's not possible, I will let the customer now. I'm not at the position in my business to turn down business because a customer doesn't want the solution I suggest initially.

I started this thread looking for options I had not thought of before. I guess I'm just averse to keypad controls. I like the idea of controlling everything from my cell phone. To me, Sonos is really on the right track with their software and hardware to be a really comprehensive internet based streaming whole house audio system. Like you said a big drawback is interfacing with control systems. Also, I think a HUGE disadvantage for installers is the lack of profit margin with Sonos. Do you really think there is an audio quality difference between Sonos and let's say a Russound C-Series and DMS-3.1? Of course keeping all other variables the same such as in-ceiling speakers? I'm going out on a limb and speculating that internet streaming audio quality would make the audio quality argument a moot point between Sonos and a dedicated whole house audio system. Now, if the source were high fidelity I think there would be a difference.

Also, Sonos is not cheap. For example I will use Russound as it is easy to find a price on google: Russound MCA-C5 ($2,500) + DMS 3.1 ($1,200)=$3,700 for 6 amplified channels. Now compare to Sonos Connect+amp ($500)x6=$3,000. Not too much of a difference there, especially when the Russound has more features.

Thanks to all of you have offered constructive suggestions and thoughts.
Post 35 made on Thursday March 20, 2014 at 18:59
cshepard
Advanced Member
Joined:
Posts:
June 2008
767
Control4 processor & 8 zone amp/audio matrix with a couple Sonos Connects as sources? Extra Vegetables sells a nice driver to control the Sonos from within the Control4 app...
Chris
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