How Home Sound Systems Work

Imagine a party where the music follows you from room to room, or a morning commute where your favorite podcast plays no matter what device you are using.A multi-room audio system can be used to create a unique soundscape for every part of your life. With just the press of a button, you can choose music that suits different rooms or spaces and adjust volume levels accordingly.

There’s no reason to limit yourself to enjoying music in one room when you can have a home sound system, but it’s important not rush installing—especially if you want a high-end system with multiple sources.In this guide, we’ll assess your options for speakers and audio sources to determine the best plan for upgrading your home entertainment system.

CONNECT MULTIPLE SIGNAL SOURCES TO ONE RECEIVER

There’s no limit to the number of rooms you can add to your multi-room system. If you’re adding more than three zones to your audio system, it’s best to consult an experienced installer who will configure a multi-channel receiver into an easy-to-use system.Multi-zone receivers allow independent control of each speaker, zone’s source, and volume. Wall keypads and remotes are always a control option as well—look for a receiver that offers ten or more HDMI inputs and audio channels.

WIRED VS. WIRELESS

Wireless speakers are more flexible than wired, because you can unplug them and move them around the room at any given time. But Wi-Fi and Bluetooth aren’t always accurate or dependable—especially when your network isn’t working wellIf you don’t see yourself relocating speakers, a wired system is dependable with high-quality audio. Even with speakers wired to your receiver, you can still enjoy wireless control—and it’s easy to incorporate some Sonos products into the mix. If your house is wired with CAT-5 computer cables, these can send signals (such as music) to multiple parts of the house through an amplifier.

ARE YOU A DIY PRO, OR IS IT TIME TO CALL IN THE EXPERTS?

If you’re only using a Sonos wireless system, you may be able to figure it out on your own. But if you want to install in-wall speakers or program the system for simple operation—in other words: do something more than just plugging everything into an outlet and hoping for the best—a professional is worth hiring.