I was asked to install a whole house audio system. I have done this before with a 2 zone home theater receiver, a speaker switcher, and 6 rooms, so you can listen to 2 sources in different rooms. I did not use volume controls or keypads, just the speaker selector so whatever the main unit's volume was set to, that's what you have to listen to.
For this project, I would like to use keypads with ir control. One audio zone is fine, but it has to be switchable between radio, cd, satellite radio, etc. I don't need 2 zones for this project. I researched the abus technology. It seems like the way to go, and not that expensive. I was wondering if anyone has experience with this, and what your thoughts on abus are? Thanks.

Abus is better than a 'speaker selector' for background music.

You gain some control but have limitations on power output of the keypad amps.

It will get loud enough for most but I wouldn't use it if someone wants to simmulate a concert!

Russound a-bus systems work well for providing seperate volume control, source selection and operation of the source with the keypad (or an IR remote) for a single source system.

A-Bus sounds fine for your basic aplication. Just remember that it's not a party animal.

It sounds like you are not too high on abus. What other better options are out there?

Also, I am doing this for a family member. How much would someone normally charge to install a typical abus system with four rooms, keypads, speakers, remotes, receiver, cd changer, etc, with walls already sheetrocked, so a lot of snaking involved. I would like to have a basic idea of the price so I can let them know how much this would have cost. The home is around 4,ooo sq feet in a nice neighborhood if that makes any difference.

You might want to check out Nuvo. The simplese model is similar to A Bus but is a little better and a little more expensive.

[Link: nuvotechnologies.com]

As far as pricing your relative's house for this job be very carefull. I hate doing jobs for relatives and worse yet freinds. The job as you describe it sounds very labor intensive. While you are doing this job, at most likely a discounted price, and it is tieing you up for a long period of time try not to think about the jobs you could be on or had to pass on and be charging full price.

Thanks, dave. You're right. Can anyone give me a ballpark price what they would charge a regular customer for this type of setup with walls already closed?

T&M. You will underbid otherwise.

Forgive me, but I don't know what T&M means. What does it mean? I just want to know a ballpark figure since I don't do this for a living so I can explain to them how much it might cost in the real world. I'm thinking it would be pretty expensive since all the wire needs to be run and the walls are closed. For a decent receiver, the abus kit, speakers in four rooms, keypads in 4 rooms, a 300 cd changer, and all the wiring, could it be done for under 10k?

Time and materials

Ask your relative what he wants. A set price for both the parts and labor or a price that will vary depending on how much time it takes to do the job.

The problem with estimating a job like this is that for many runs there will be more than one way to run the wires. When you give the customer a set price he will always want the wire run with the fewest amount of wall cuts. This can greatly increase the time of the job. When it is a "T&M" job then they will be more open to wall cuts because they know that even though they have a few more wall cuts to repair they are saving money on your labor.

If they want a set price then estimate on the higher side. Your estimate of 10K seemed appropiate. If you finish quickly you can always reduce the bill. That is much easier then trying to increase the bill if you run into problems.

Hope this helps,

Dave T

Time and materials. You charge by the hour, plus the price of any materials/equipment.

As far as under 10k, I would say yes, especially if going w A-bus verses regular, but will let the more experienced answer.

What I plan on doing is having 3 rooms with speakers and keypads, and outdoor speakers attached to the house on the deck probably with a keypad right inside ( I don't think you can put a keypad outside). Since all the walls are up, I planned on running cat 5 from the basement up (all rooms are on 1st floor) and mount a keypad in each room. I will mount one speaker directly over the keypad at about 6 or 7 feet high so that I can easily snake a speaker wire up from the keypad. The more tricky part is the other speaker. No matter where I mount it, I will have to first run it to the basement, and then back up to the keypad. All the audio equipment (receiver, cd changer, etc) will be located in the basement where I will homerun all the cat 5. If it wasn't for all the snaking it wouldn't be that bad. So I guess I can tell them that this job would really cost around 10k give or take.

Can I use a basic stereo receiver for under $200 to power the system? Is there any reason to use a more sophisticated setup? They only want music from a few different sources. I don't need a home theater receiver for this, correct?

Quote: "I will mount one speaker directly over the keypad at about 6 or 7 feet high so that I can easily snake a speaker wire up from the keypad."

That just doesnt look right when I picture it in my head.

Is there an attic above the first floor? If so, why not run the speaker wires up from the basement, to the attic, using the keypad hole as a mid-point? that way you can put the speakers anywhere you want. Ceiling, wall, etc.

If not, and you DO use in-walls verses in ceiling, why not just fish down to the basement from wherever you want the speakers, as you mentioned? Wouldnt be any harder than running wiring to the kepyad. you just have to do it 3 times per room instead of one.

Frank,

That's probably what I'll do. I am going to use in walls. I just thought it might be easier if I mount one of the speakers a few feet above the volume control so I don't have to snake all the way back down, but instead right to the keypad. Either way, it's a job!

What about the reciever? Can I get away with something under $200 to power four rooms? I don't think they need anything fancy.

Would something like this do?
[Link: circuitcity.com]

I thought you said you were using A-bus? If so, the power is coming from the keypads, not the reciever. The reciever would be a SOURCE for the A-bus

Now that I know you have wide open basement access below all the rooms, are using in-walls verses in-ceilings, and theyre ok w basic A-bus, Id be HAPPY to do it for 10k.

Hell, I get customers bit@#ing about 4k estimates on a basic system.