Advice The Home Improvement/Automation Thread

[fly]

@Valve1138 Tell me about HomeKit. I have some friends who are building an expensive new house. They're getting quoted like 20k for HA shit, but think its way more than they care about - as they aren't technical at all. All they care about is being able to play music in different rooms. I assume this kind of shit is easy in the Apple ecosphere? Other than they'll probably need some huge zoned amp.

 

[Domon]

@Valve1138 Tell me about HomeKit. I have some friends who are building an expensive new house. They're getting quoted like 20k for HA shit, but think its way more than they care about - as they aren't technical at all. All they care about is being able to play music in different rooms. I assume this kind of shit is easy in the Apple ecosphere? Other than they'll probably need some huge zoned amp.

control4 shit for 20k a room most likely

 

[Valve1138]

@Valve1138 Tell me about HomeKit. I have some friends who are building an expensive new house. They're getting quoted like 20k for HA shit, but think its way more than they care about - as they aren't technical at all. All they care about is being able to play music in different rooms. I assume this kind of shit is easy in the Apple ecosphere? Other than they'll probably need some huge zoned amp.

Just get a bunch of Airplay 2 capable speakers like Sonos, or Homepod Minis.

 

[fly]

Just get a bunch of Airplay 2 capable speakers like Sonos, or Homepod Minis.

Can't do that. It's all hardwired and homerun to an IT closet.

@Domon I don't remember what they said they were using. Something that starts with an i, I think?

 

[Valve1138]

Can't do that. It's all hardwired and homerun to an IT closet.

@Domon I don't remember what they said they were using. Something that starts with an i, I think?

They have no WiFi?

Also, Sonos speakers all have ethernet ports.

 

[fly]

They have no WiFi?

Also, Sonos speakers all have ethernet ports.

They have locations in the walls already hard wired for speakers.

 

[Valve1138]

They have locations in the walls already hard wired for speakers.

That would have been useful information yesterday.

 

[Domon]

They have locations in the walls already hard wired for speakers.

that kinda locks them into a central audio system which are almost all pro grade stuff

 

[fly]

that kinda locks them into a central audio system which are almost all pro grade stuff

Really? There's no easy way to do that off the shelf?

 

[Valve1138]

Really? There's no easy way to do that off the shelf?

Buy a multichannel amp and speakers off Monoprice.

Hook it up to some Apple/Google/Alexa input.

 

[fly]

Buy a multichannel amp and speakers off Monoprice.

Hook it up to some Apple/Google/Alexa input.

I assume it would actually need to be multi-zoned, since there will be more than one channel per zone. Suggestions? I mean even if the amp is $5k, they'd still be saving money...

 

[Valve1138]

I assume it would actually need to be multi-zoned, since there will be more than one channel per zone. Suggestions? I mean even if the amp is $5k, they'd still be saving money...

Then add the in-room volume controls if the wiring is set up that way. Knob on the wall.

There are amps, volume controls, and shit off the rack just for this. Go look at Monoprice.

 

[fly]

Then add the in-room volume controls if the wiring is set up that way. Knob on the wall.

There are amps, volume controls, and shit off the rack just for this. Go look at Monoprice.

Having a knob on the wall seems janky to me. But I guess I'll need to see their exact requirements first.

 

[Valve1138]

@fly as an example.

Monoprice 6 Zone Home Audio Multizone Controller and Amplifier Kit, NO LOGO - Monoprice.com

Distribute and control music and other audio material to up to six stereo speaker zones using this 6-Zone Home Audio Multizone Controller and Amplifier.This multizone controller is a 6x6 matrix with s

www.monoprice.com

 

[Domon]

any system you set up like that is gonna be straight outta the 80s. Modern systems rely on room locality awareness and voice control, hence why alexas/sonos/etc all have mics

I really dont see a straightforward way to have a modern system if all the speakers are hardwired back to a central closet someplace

 

[Domon]

This might be an option

https://www.crutchfield.com/S-8FSe2RbINDg/learn/using-sonos-with-a-multi-room-amplifier.html. Essentially a retrofit

 

[fly]

Well shit.

 

[fly]

This might be an option

https://www.crutchfield.com/S-8FSe2RbINDg/learn/using-sonos-with-a-multi-room-amplifier.html. Essentially a retrofit

Hey, that's pretty neat!

 

[Domon]

yeah, this could work.

a bunch of these

Amp: The Wireless Streaming Amplifier | Sonos

With an output of 125 watts per channel, an HDMI input to connect your TV, Apple AirPlay 2 capability, and a striking compact form factor that fits standard AV racks, the new Sonos Amp is quite simply our most versatile and most powerful wireless amplifier yet.

www.sonos.com

in a rack

FLEXSON Wall Mount / Desk Dock For 4 SONOS AMPS – Flexson U.S.A.

The Flexson Dock holds up to four Sonos Amps, keeping your install looking compact and tidy. Once the unit is fitted to a wall or cabinet the four Sonos Amps simply slide in. The Sonos Amps then click into place and are held securely in position via clever retaining clips. These clips will allow...

flexsonusa.com

 

[Hoff Kinkmeister]

This shit is gonna age so terribly, like all those nonfunctional intercoms still stuck on people's houses. Put some stupid "smart" interface in front of a regular-ass amp wired to the speakers, then they won't be locked into some ecosystem.