Looking for an attractive (Greyfox style or better) intercom solution for a large (15,000 sq ft) home.

Client has specified that he does not want to use a phone system for this.

There will be a multiroom audio system going in MANY of the rooms where intercom is desired, but NOT ALL. (caps for emphasis, not shouting)

Haven't done intercom in years. The greyfox Cat5e (ONQ) looks good, and I've read good reviews here, but I short zones. I'm looking at closer to 20 zones.

Also, more flexibility would be good also (ie page specific rooms or all rooms, from any location).


I was planning on using B&K for multiroom in the home, because client wants good sound. We are also Netstreams dealers. haven't used their intercom yet though. ANy thoughts? I've been hesitant to spec Digilinx in this project, because there is an abundance of TV areas, including 2 theatres, but also TVs with just a 2 channel music zone.

In our current design we have BK providing music and video to most TVs (CT602s and HD6s). I've always felt the the Digilinx is excellent option for big homes, but not in rooms that have a TV. In a TV room, I want a remote... and I don't necessarily want a TV with speakers built in, so I like to share the speakers for music and TV use in the room. Digilinx gets a bit awkward in these apps.

Any suggestions appreciated: Large, good quality intercom solutions.

Crestron would do it, and would control the B&K well.

There is a real dearth of quality intercom product in this market. I really think that someone should come up with a product that will fill a Nutone/M&S hole in the wall, use the existing 4 conductor wire for power, utilize RF for communication and control, and replace all that decades-old junk in the walls of all the multi-million dollar homes.

Sorta on topic...for outside intercoms...I use the Channel Vision stuff...they have covert cameras in black/white or color, speaker and doorbell.

BUT...here's the question...does anybody know of a dorbell interface that rings the phones that will accomodate OVER 4 intercoms/doorbells?

What's the door limit for a Channel Vison Entry Kit? I know what is written in the documentation, but it does not define a limit of door kits to interface board. An deven if there was could you have multiple interface boards attached to the phones?

Just a thought.

I was thinking of something like the Viking Unit...it does 4 intercoms...but was thinking of combining 2 of the units into one input.

I dunno about the Channel Vision Entry Kit...I thought it only did 1.

The Channel Vision Entry Kit documentation shows wiring for both front and rear doors using two boards. Basically, it's gangable (i.e. the output of the 1st board goes to the next board versus the telephones. The last board in the chain is connected to the telephones). The nice thing is that you can also incorporate a strike plate for door entry.

The only thing that is not clear is how many door entry kits can you gang together. I don't see there being a reason for a limit as each board has it's own power supply.

I've never configured more than the two door kits so, I don't know the answer for the limit. Nice product for a small business application where the client would like to be able to manage the delivery door access.


Edited to correct spelling

I am looking at the new one from Russound myself.

Used the Intercom on Digilinx... not the most intuitive thing I have ever seen... but you can stand arms lenth away and be heard on all other rooms clearly. If you get up close its gonna clip. The one place we added it likes it...

When I called them I asked about doing 5 and they didn't have any solution for me...maybe I should call again and talk to someone else.

Check out EnGenius, great for the intercom aspect of things. Cordless phone and they not part of a phone system. Just centrally locate the brain of the phone and you can get excellent coverage, they do sell antenna's as well if needed.

I hate the in wall intercom thing, the 70's are over.

The B&K set up rocks, finished one recently controlled by RTI.

Elan MAC24/OpenHouse H560 ... Elan Z series ... Russound ComPoint ... Crestron ... Are a few that comes mind ...

I've used this setup a few times, but you can only have 2 door stations ....

Why no phone system? Sounds like it would do everything you want - page all and individual page.

There is a unit called system one. It is made by a company from australia called Valet and distributed by Lindsay Manufacturing in the US. It is a pretty basic intercom, but does have selective call from any station and fits on a 3 gang box or they have a wider chassis that is designed to replace older systems. It has other features like music in and limited relay control, but if it is just for intercom these are fairly bulletproof. It will easily handle the 20 stations, we did a system that had 35-40 stations on it that was the same situation with the customer adamently refusing a phone system.

If anyone remembers the valet 2000 or 900 systems, this is the same company but much improved product-features and build quality.

hmmm that valet stuff sounds interesting... have to look that one up... thanks for the tip.


Don't know why the fear of phone system. Probably had a Panny go sideways in a past house, would be my guess.