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I am planning on supplying 110W RMS per channel to 8 speakers in my home that have a range of 60-120W each. Because this is a multi-room system, each room has its own volume control. My question: what is my best choice for setting the master volume so that I get optimal sound with volume controls at the rooms? Also, is there any way to bypass the master volume control on the receiver so that all volume control is provided in the rooms (e.g. certain type of receiver)?
Answer
I don't know exactly how are you going to connect those 8 speakers with the stereo receiver to supply the 110 W RMS per channel. The whole idea seems like one of those crazy DIY projects where some of the equipment pays the price. (Usually it could be the speakers but given that you are including some extra volume controls into the soup then maybe the receiver will become the guinea pig this time)
If this "in-ceiling stereo" is a true multi-room system it must have some controller unit with support for connecting an external equipment as the source and maybe connections will be done via line level (usually with RCA connections and not to speaker terminals), so it will bypass receiver's amplifier and volume control. Then volume control plates on each room or the controller unit should have the required built-in amplifiers. So no "desired volume level" for receiver will be needed.
If you only see cables to connect, then maybe some controller unit or multichannel amplifier will be needed before connecting the receiver to that. This is because stereo amplifiers are not designed to drive 8 speakers out of the box and also they expect a minimum nominal speaker impedance connected to each speaker terminals (So don't even try if you don't know how all 8 speakers are wired there and what will be the final impedance of that system).
But as your question is about volume level setting and not about how to connect all that, then....
Given that you really know what you're doing (and you can actually get that system all wired and working) I think the best way to get optimal sound is this:
1) Select the test material (CD or radio). But I would suggest the loudest you can get from what you're going to listen.
2) Set receiver's volume level to the minimum and turn it off.
3) Set volume controls on all rooms to minimum and only set the largest room volume level to the max (this will be our test room).
4) Turn on receiver and increment volume level until desired maximum volume level is reached in "test room" (This maximum volume level should be the maximum comfortable volume level you like or just the maximum volume level without distorton heard).
This will be the optimal volume level to use for the receiver.
(Don't forget to set volume level to min every time you turn on/off the receiver - This way volume level on each room doesn't matter).
Now just check the smallest room performance so that max volume level there is still comfortable (but as we choosed the loudest test material and not always full volume will be used it should be just fine) and then check multiple rooms at the same time until you see how the complete system performs. The volume setting on one room should not affect other rooms or else it will not work.
To bypass receiver's volume control you need to use line level outputs (RCA connectors usually called "line out" or "pre-amp") and one additional external amplifier for each room (because bypassing volume control on the receiver will bypass its built-in amplifier too).
The real multi-room solution will require specific multi-zone audio distribution equipment, they can also include multi-source control so you can listen to different sources on each zone. Try this link:
I don't know exactly how are you going to connect those 8 speakers with the stereo receiver to supply the 110 W RMS per channel. The whole idea seems like one of those crazy DIY projects where some of the equipment pays the price. (Usually it could be the speakers but given that you are including some extra volume controls into the soup then maybe the receiver will become the guinea pig this time)
If this "in-ceiling stereo" is a true multi-room system it must have some controller unit with support for connecting an external equipment as the source and maybe connections will be done via line level (usually with RCA connections and not to speaker terminals), so it will bypass receiver's amplifier and volume control. Then volume control plates on each room or the controller unit should have the required built-in amplifiers. So no "desired volume level" for receiver will be needed.
If you only see cables to connect, then maybe some controller unit or multichannel amplifier will be needed before connecting the receiver to that. This is because stereo amplifiers are not designed to drive 8 speakers out of the box and also they expect a minimum nominal speaker impedance connected to each speaker terminals (So don't even try if you don't know how all 8 speakers are wired there and what will be the final impedance of that system).
But as your question is about volume level setting and not about how to connect all that, then....
Given that you really know what you're doing (and you can actually get that system all wired and working) I think the best way to get optimal sound is this:
1) Select the test material (CD or radio). But I would suggest the loudest you can get from what you're going to listen.
2) Set receiver's volume level to the minimum and turn it off.
3) Set volume controls on all rooms to minimum and only set the largest room volume level to the max (this will be our test room).
4) Turn on receiver and increment volume level until desired maximum volume level is reached in "test room" (This maximum volume level should be the maximum comfortable volume level you like or just the maximum volume level without distorton heard).
This will be the optimal volume level to use for the receiver.
(Don't forget to set volume level to min every time you turn on/off the receiver - This way volume level on each room doesn't matter).
Now just check the smallest room performance so that max volume level there is still comfortable (but as we choosed the loudest test material and not always full volume will be used it should be just fine) and then check multiple rooms at the same time until you see how the complete system performs. The volume setting on one room should not affect other rooms or else it will not work.
To bypass receiver's volume control you need to use line level outputs (RCA connectors usually called "line out" or "pre-amp") and one additional external amplifier for each room (because bypassing volume control on the receiver will bypass its built-in amplifier too).
The real multi-room solution will require specific multi-zone audio distribution equipment, they can also include multi-source control so you can listen to different sources on each zone. Try this link:
What would be the best choice for a multi room wireless sound system?!?!?!? PLease Help?
Ryan
I have volunteered to install a multi room wireless sound system in a local art gallery. There are 3 different rooms and they want 2 speakers in each room. ( all have to be wireless) With the mail receiver being hooked up to a computer for Pandora, itunes and what not. What would be the best way to go about doing this? Please be detailed and include links to your recommended products. Thank you so much!!!!
Answer
Use some care, here! They might not want something
that is hard wired, or wires running hither and yonder.
If they have a drop ceiling, you will be able to hide all
the wire necessary to run the speakers. Going from
room to room may require a run through a wall or two.
The use of wireless satellite speakers my not be a
good idea, depending on their budget. The system you
should install, if you really have to go wireless, should
operate in the UHF band of frequencies, to prevent
interference. If they have Computer networking cable,
a telephone system, or other communication cable
going from room to room, you may be able to follow
these runs to hide the wire. There are a lot of choices
here to be made. You will have to decide which is within
their budget, and the easiest to install. You might want
to try logging onto the following site:
www.mcmelectronics.com
These kind folks have a good selection of Home & Pro
Audio Equipment & Accessories at reasonable prices.
I hope this will help you on your installation.
Use some care, here! They might not want something
that is hard wired, or wires running hither and yonder.
If they have a drop ceiling, you will be able to hide all
the wire necessary to run the speakers. Going from
room to room may require a run through a wall or two.
The use of wireless satellite speakers my not be a
good idea, depending on their budget. The system you
should install, if you really have to go wireless, should
operate in the UHF band of frequencies, to prevent
interference. If they have Computer networking cable,
a telephone system, or other communication cable
going from room to room, you may be able to follow
these runs to hide the wire. There are a lot of choices
here to be made. You will have to decide which is within
their budget, and the easiest to install. You might want
to try logging onto the following site:
www.mcmelectronics.com
These kind folks have a good selection of Home & Pro
Audio Equipment & Accessories at reasonable prices.
I hope this will help you on your installation.
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Title Post: What is the best volume setting for my stereo receiver connected to an in-ceiling stereo with volume controls?
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Author: Yukie
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