2. Why choose a multi-room audio system?
Nobody misses out
Finally, everybody can listen to the music or radio they want to hear right where they want to hear it. No more arguments over whose music's going to be played.
While someone's hogging the lounge watching a movie, music can be singing in every other room of the house.
What about TV and movies?
Of course you can listen to music and movies through a whole home audio system too. It's just that people normally only want to listen to movies in the same room that the picture is showing in. DVD-players and AV Receivers can be connected with the main system, but aren't generally listened to in a multi-room context.
Music, music everywhere
There's a whole new outdoor world of possibilities to explore. Enjoy music out on the deck or while taking friends on a tour through the flower gardens. There's nowhere music can't follow you. Clang about in the garage to the latest rock albums or enjoy light and breezy classics by the clothesline. And it's all so simple to control too.
One touch control
No matter which room you're in (even outside), your entire music collection and all your favourite radio stations could be just a button push away. Imagine you've had a hard day at the office and you just want to chill out with some easy-listening. Press a couple of buttons on the discreet wall-mounted keypad and your chosen track fills the room. Depending on the sophistication of your system, you can choose the music by genre, album, artist, or track at the touch of a button and adjust not only the volume, but also treble and bass. Selecting a radio station is just as easy and it's even possible to have different stations playing in different parts of the house at the same time. Another option is a multi room remote control programmed to operate your system via infrared sensors placed wherever you want. Put that massive collection of remotes to rest. One remote can control your system from any connected room.
You can control a multi-room system in virtually any way that suits. As you piece together a multi-room system, you'll find flexibility at every turn.
Flexibility
You don't have to shell out for a full-home system at once. Chances are that you can incorporate one or all of your existing sound systems (or A/V Receiver) into your multi-room system. You can replace existing components and add 'extra music-rooms' as it suits.
'Invisible' components
Just one system in the house means much less techno-clutter. And the few electronics that are used are neatly stored out of sight in a cupboard so that the only thing filling your room is sound. The speakers used throughout your home can be flush mounted in-wall or in-ceiling models. When colour-matched with their surroundings, they become virtually invisible. And what about the long vines of wiring running from the electronics to the speakers? They're history too.
No ugly wires!
All wiring that connects electronics to speakers and screens throughout the home is hidden in the walls (not under carpets!) And if installing wiring in your walls is impractical then you can choose to go 'wireless'.
Adding value to your property
Wiring your home for multi-room audio and having speakers installed is an investment, not a cost. The vast majority of new American homes are now pre-wired for multi room entertainment, lighting and security. It can add value to your property, making it more appealing to potential purchasers. Who doesn't want a home with an integrated entertainment system?
From very simple to smart and sophisticated
Multi-room audio needn't be complicated. It can be as simple as running two sets of speaker wires off one music system into two rooms. Lots of A/V Receivers can do that these days. From there the sky's the limit with sophisticated multi-source/multi-zone systems that are limited only by your imagination or your budget. It's about deciding what you and you family want and working with an Entertainment Specialist to pull the right parts together.