Adding a whole house audio system to your home is a great way to add value and enhance the space. These systems used to be extremely expensive and difficult to install, but with advancing technology they are now more affordable and accessible for the average homeowner.
The challenges come when deciding which type of system you want and what functions you want it to perform and installing it in a way that gives you the best sound quality possible.
Here are some considerations for designing a whole house audio system:
- Choose the right components—The major components to include are a converter, an amplifier and speakers.
- Find the best type and layout of speakers—This depends on the room, size and function. Decide whether in-ceiling, in-wall or tower speakers will work best for each room.
- Designate a control room—All of your equipment should be in one place. Make sure the control room is well vented.
- Ensure proper installation—Speakers may come with placement suggestions in the manual, but this is often a job for an AV pro.
- Calibrate and integrate—If you have experience with test tones and sound pressure, you may be able to do this part yourself. If that last sentence sounded like a foreign language, call an experienced AV technician to make sure everything is installed, calibrated and integrated correctly.