House wide sound system?

downshifted

It's a small bungalow and we have a basic refurb underway - just about to start decorating

Before we do, should we consider some kind of sound system through the house? I'm not at all techie - but I know there are wireless systems now.............where should I look? Has anyone installed them?

CKdesigner

Hi Downshifted

Try Sonos. The main UK Sonos shop is our neighbour and it seems good stuff.

https://www.sonos.com

CK

theonlywayisup

We converted our old barn and during the conversion fitted an Opus system, which distributes sound and pictures throughout the house. Each room has a digital keypad on the wall, much like a single light switch. This can control all the outputs and sound which comes via built in invisible speakers in the ceilings either by pressing the keypad direct or using normal remotes to operate the ir.

Our 'hub' is in a cupboard under the stairs. The beauty of this, is the dvd, freeview, sky, ipod etc are all out of view but can be used in each room.

Ours was a relatively inexpensive system and I wish we had gone more upmarket. It depends on your budget and how future proof you want to be. A bungalow is ideal as you can usually locate each room from the loft. So wiring should not be too tiresome.

http://www.opus.eu/default.php

aa4466

If it's not too late then why not run a bit of 20mm plastic conduit down the walls to a recessed backbox. You never know what is going to come in the future and if you want to add extra cables then you can just feed them down the conduit. If you don't want to use it at the moment then just put a blank cover or a brush plate on the box e.g.

http://www.divineaudio.co.uk/custom-installation/single-gang-brush-strip-plate-black-brush-/prod_1632.html

For example, you can't run HD video wirelessly but you could feed Cat 6 cables down it at a later date to cope with audio / video / data / who knows?

It might be worth putting a draw string in the conduit as well.

Mankysteve

Richer sounds go a selection including the sano one.

http://www.richersounds.com/products/multi-room/multi-room-systems

amcluesent

The Logitech Squeezebox range is very comprehensive and can be used wireless or wired - http://www.logitech.com/en-gb/speakers-audio/wireless-music-systems