Audio can be distributed in ways other than traditional speaker wire. Technology has advanced to the point where an Audio Distribution System can be setup to run: 1) Wirelessly - These systems typically use a manufacturer's proprietary wireless protocol to transmit the signals to receiving units scattered throughout the home or office. Here they are amplified and the sound is played over some speakers. Setup is typically quick and simple and … [Read more...]

Traditional Audio Distribution Systems The most common, reliable, best sounding and dependable Audio Distribution Systems are run using speaker wire between the amplifier and speakers. The wires are typically run during a houses construction or remodeling. However, industrious and clever individuals and professional installers can many times get wires where they need to go with little or no dry wall damage. If you are building or remodeling a … [Read more...]

Powerline Systems Powerline systems use your home’s electrical wiring as a communication medium to send information throughout the house. There is typically a transmitter that plugs into an electrical that converts your music and “injects” it onto the electrical wires. Once it is on the homes electrical wires, it basically propagates throughout the home. Then you will need to have a receiver in the room, plugged into an outlet, where you … [Read more...]

Wireless Systems Wireless systems are great for retrofit installations, where the home is already built and much more difficult to get wires throughout the home. However, wireless systems are susceptible to the same issues that ANY wireless system encounters: 1)      Interference from other wireless devices - cell phones - wireless telephones - wireless networks - electrical devices - walls, floors, doors, … [Read more...]

IP Based Systems One of the newest technologies in audio distribution is IP based audio distribution system. These systems distribute the audio information, metadata and control information over a TCP/IP network. Information is sent to the keypad over cat5 in digital format where it is converted by an amplifier and sent to the speakers. The advantage of these systems is it benefits from the inherent communication and control capabilities of the … [Read more...]

Head-end Amplifier Systems These systems take up where other systems leave off and offer a much higher level of fidelity. The amplifiers in these systems are located at the head-end where the equipment is and are often combined with a controller that coordinates the activities of the system and is where the programming usually resides. They range from entry level systems all the way up to ultra high-end home automation systems capable of high … [Read more...]

70 Volt System 70 Volt systems are typically used in restaurants, health clubs, churches, warehouses, bars, department stores or commercial location where many speakers are connected together from one amplifier. The advantage of a 70V system is that you can have long runs of small gauge wire connecting many speakers. It will generally be low quality sound, but perfect for background music or an intercom grade sound system. Of special note in … [Read more...]

A-Bus Systems A-Bus systems are extremely simple to install, configure and use. If you are looking for an inexpensive and simple audio distribution – this is it. Its main attribute is that the amplifier is located in the keypad, which is usually in the room where the speakers are. An inexpensive single run of cat5 is all that’s needed to get the power, audio signal, data and status to the keypad – then from there the signal is amplified … [Read more...]

There are several different technologies for distributing audio throughout your home or business. The best method depends on your environment. The most reliable and proven is through low voltage wires specifically designed to carry audio and control signals to their proper location. But this is not always possible (especially with existing structures) to do so. That's where wireless and Powerline technologies come into play. These may not be as … [Read more...]