Whole-House Audio TutorialSo you think you want speakers throughout your home? Do you want to have nice background music playing while you move around about your tasks? Do you want to hit a button to conjure up an instant "party atmosphere" for that big bash?If you answered yes to any of these questions, or have any one of a thousand other reasons for building an audio system into your home, then you've come to the right place. We've spent years researching the esoteric world of whole-house audio systems -- and we're ready to publish this previously secret (or at least jealously hoarded) information. |
A Little HistoryFor many years a handfull of dealer/installers quoted and installed whole-house audio systems for the ultra-wealthy. They used components from an even smaller handful of eclectic manufacturers. The dealer-manufacturer relationship was (and still is, in many cases) very tight...consequently the manufacturers refused to sell equipment to anyone but an authorized dealer. The manufacturers claimed that the equipment was very fussy and therefore had to be installed by a qualified dealer! The real reason was that the manufacturers didn't want to upset their dealers by selling directly to the end user. Dealers charged exhorbitant rates for these installations because the buyer had no alternative.At least that is the way it was when we began researching whole-house audio three years ago. Information was very hard to come by...even for an established home automation company. The manufacturers wanted us to commit to huge volumes of equipment, sign thick (and exclusive) contracts, and send people to training classes before we could even purchase components! To top it all off, the contracts specifically forbade selling the equipment over the counter. All systems were to be custom designed, specified, and "professionally installed" by qualified and trained dealer employees. When we were able to get information about products, we couldn't find a manufacturer that really had a complete solution. It appeared that dealers were piecing together equipment from many vendors. And the more complete a manufacturer's solution, the more difficult it was to get information. (If you don't believe me, just try to get any technical information about the Square-D "Elan" system!) It was all very frustrating. Then about two years ago, we started seeing a change. Real information began flowing, new products were appearing, and -- most importantly -- some products were flowing through traditional distribution channels...meaning that you and I could actually buy them! At this time we at HomeTech Solutions began assisting customers in designing and installing their own whole-house audio systems. While they did work, they were still somewhat cumbersome and required gear from many manufacturers. In the last year or so, better, cheaper, and more tightly integrated solutions have appeared. At this point, designing, wiring, and installing a whole-house audio system is well within the means of most of our customers. If you're the type that had little trouble connecting your big component stereo system back in the 60's, then you'll feel right at home with the equipment we describe here. If, on the other hand, you don't know the difference between speaker level audio and line level audio, you had better contact one of the CEDIA member dealers, plunk down your forty grand, and let the professionals install a system for you. |
Introduction to Whole-House Audio SystemsThis application note covers whole-house audio in three sections:
Please note that this application note is not about home theatre systems, although it does talk about how whole-house audio systems can share audio sources and speakers with home theatre systems. Nor does this application note cover video distribution; this is the subject of another document. Although the whole-house audio system can easily distribute audio from cable TV tuners, VCR's, etc., we will treat video distribution as a separate system. Throughout this document you will see highlighted part numbers. These are hyperlinks to more information elsewhere on our website about specific products. Unlike other "sterile" documents that claim to educate you about whole-house audio without actually naming any products or even brands, this document lets you click your way all the way through to actual product specifications, pictures, and prices! GlossaryBefore continuing, we should define our terms. Whole-house audio is new enough that the terminology is still rather nebulous.
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