Help Tan w/ AV: 1-Whole Hse Speakers
- Thread starter tanstaaf1
- Start date
BraveSirRobbin
Moderator
Yes, I agree! Let us know when it is up on your site!un-wired said:
I jumped all over the web guy and he posted them for me.
http://www.smarthomeusa.com/Shop/MultiRoom...ies/Item/CAA66/
$1283.95 for the KP6 keypad kit
$1595.95 for the KPL keypad kit
Be sure to use the new Valentine's Day coupon code listed on the site's homepage.
http://www.smarthomeusa.com/Shop/MultiRoom...ies/Item/CAA66/
$1283.95 for the KP6 keypad kit
$1595.95 for the KPL keypad kit
Be sure to use the new Valentine's Day coupon code listed on the site's homepage.
You're right, I was merely thinking of each room as a zone. I thought it was consenus that I should have 2 speakers per room, with only rooms where music was inappropriate/unwanted exempted. What you are saying makes sense and I will need to consider how the house should be organized for AV some more. Can I still install speakers, two or so per room, home-running the wires, and deal with organizing the speakers later? Or is this a good reason to buy external speakers...so I can play with location a bit more before closing the walls? Any guiding principles or practices here?markthomas said:
I tentatively settled on Russound because it was the only system that seemed to have strong advocacy. From my reading (correct me) it supports muting for paging/doorbell, will accept commands from a whole house controller, and even will support VIDEO streaming? The price seemed do-able. And I was sort of looking forward to a relatively easy / all in one solution. I figured that even if not perfect, it likely wouldn't disappoint. Since beginning this thread, though, strong advocates for alternatives have emerged...damn them! :lol:
I just checked out the websites; are the new products you mention on display there?
I've gone into the two high-end AV stores I know of in my major metro area (4 million people) hoping they could show me the alternatives. Both sell Russound and other systems -- but neither carries Russound or anything else to show me, hands on, how they work and sound. I'm expected to pay them money for a consultation first, then buy their recommended system from pictures, I guess, just trusting the "priests" to take care of me. This is virtually identical to when I earlier talked to Crestron and Lutron dealers. They all act like they are God's gift to consumers and will have no brook with low-lives who actually want to participate in the implementation process.
I try to tell myself this is actually a good thing; it indicates a status quo ripe for revolution. I tell myself that to feel a little better. Mostly I'm pretty frustrated. I think I may start a local user group if I survive the experience of automating my home.
I wish I could see some examples of automated homes. A few hands-on experiences would probably save me a lot of grief and indecision. So far, almost every direction I turn has been frustrated in one way or another. Some time I'd be interested in hearing how you guys all got started and found your sea-legs. I understand this is a field with a near infinite learning curve, but I feel like I'm flunking kindergarten for the most part! (I don't see a whiney face or I'd use it here)
BraveSirRobbin
Moderator
tanstaaf1;
Posted THIS review just for you.
One correction, the new Russound products mentioned DO NOT support video switching like the Cav 6.6.
I'm not sure about supporting the doorbell, but look at their new intercom integration product as well.
Sorry I can't be more help, but this was the first time I saw these products (and that was only for a brief moment).
Regards.
BSR
Posted THIS review just for you.
One correction, the new Russound products mentioned DO NOT support video switching like the Cav 6.6.
I'm not sure about supporting the doorbell, but look at their new intercom integration product as well.
Sorry I can't be more help, but this was the first time I saw these products (and that was only for a brief moment).
Regards.
BSR
Thanks, Robbin. So I was correct that the CAV6.6 supports distributed video, also... one channel only?
Do you have any sense of how this new system stacks up against the other in terms of *value* (I know 6.6 is more)? What would a comparable 6.6 system (w/keypads, etc.) cost? Aside from video - and the keypads don't look as cool? - what are you giving up here?
Do you have any sense of how this new system stacks up against the other in terms of *value* (I know 6.6 is more)? What would a comparable 6.6 system (w/keypads, etc.) cost? Aside from video - and the keypads don't look as cool? - what are you giving up here?
BraveSirRobbin
Moderator
I can't really answer your questions fully as I don't have a good deal of knowledge on Russound's products.tanstaaf1 said:
I can suggest that you ask this question over at the Cinemar Forums as they have a LOT of memebers there that are Russound users!
I feel you are giving up future flexability and versatility, but at over double the price! The Cav 6.6 will indeed distribute video and it's keypads are VERY cool looking. Plus it will support the A-Bus if you decide to use that in the future. Products like Cinemar's Main Lobby also have an extensive RS-232 driver for this unit and even have templates to make really cool displays for controlling this unit as well.
The Cav 6.6 is indeed the flagship and any product other than that will be a compromise of some sort. One thing I don't think you mentioned in this thread is how much you want to spend! This may help members suggest products better suited for your needs.
BraveSirRobbin
Moderator
One other thing to keep in mind that a Russound rep told me at last year's CES. He said whatever system you install, make sure it is wife friendly or she will never use it.
One advantage of the Russound CAV 6.6 is you press one button on the keypad and music can start playing (from its present source selected). Another button can cycle sources, two other's volume. Very easy and intuitive. Also, a typical remote (that a wife may be familiar with) can be used by pointing it at the keypad.
I don't know how many of these features exist on the cheaper units, but I expect most are there (please check before ordering).
I know there are many solutions out there, but I just wanted to throw out this comment to you!
One advantage of the Russound CAV 6.6 is you press one button on the keypad and music can start playing (from its present source selected). Another button can cycle sources, two other's volume. Very easy and intuitive. Also, a typical remote (that a wife may be familiar with) can be used by pointing it at the keypad.
I don't know how many of these features exist on the cheaper units, but I expect most are there (please check before ordering).
I know there are many solutions out there, but I just wanted to throw out this comment to you!
BraveSirRobbin said:
I'd probably be okay with up to $50K for the whole home automation project (not just the AV - I edited this to clarify that), especially if that includes some contracting out (I don't particularly want to be stringing everything, I just want to understand it and feel I got good value at the end). Of course, I'd prefer less.
That isn't really what I would have said at the start but things have gotten out of hand in more ways than one and, at this point, it's like they keep saying in the Forbes' magazine: "With all you're getting, get understanding." So, as I've gotten more overwhelmed and made more mistakes, I've also gotten more committed to a bigger picture (the only picture in which this fiasco might eventually make sense!). In my pricing, I'm talking about automation/networking beyond what I would have to pay for anyway in a deaf and dumb house.
I don't know how much to allot specifically for the AV portion, but I'm willing to spend money if that is necessary to get a high quality solution that also satisfies my need to learn and have expansion capabilities.
What kinds of functionality would the A-Bus enable?
Part of what is so captivating and scary about the current time is that things are clearly at optimum flux. I know now that even the most impressive technology will be ho-hum, at least to those in the know, within 3 years and almost laughably obsolete in 6 to 10 to probably everyone. I'm pretty sure that digital is going to be distributed to the periphery. In other words, I believe strongly that things will NOT all be "home run" 10 years from now - things will be networked in star or mesh topology. It would be nice to get at least that portion set up properly now.
The challenge is to select the right PATH (right protocol, right wiring, etc.) and not necessarily the right vehicle. However, I would like to get at least a decent vehicle if I can...and a good education.
A-Bus on the CAV allows you to add up to 4 zones on the cheap. A-bus is powered from the keypad, so you are not going to get ear-splitting levels, but you don't have to run the speaker wire back to the controller either...just to the keypad. It allows for some expanding in the future without having to rip up a whole *lot* of sheetrock. :lol:tanstaaf1 said:
In general, I think the CAV6.6 is the best bang for the buck in the whole home audio sector. You get easy of use, convenience, good performance, and affordability. There is other packages that give you one or some of these, but IMO, not all of them. That being said, the video portion of the CAV is only composite. This is just fine for me, but if you want to be able to do HD video now, it would make more sense to go with the CAM or CAA packages and use the savings to get a nice component or DVI/HDMI switcher.
--Jamie
Just to represent the other side B) :lol:
I'm not sure I agree with you about things not being homerun in the future. You might be right - but there are a lot of benefits in a homerun topology - as long as you have plenty of options with your wiring. If you don't... then homerun doesn't buy much other than a common storage place for equipment.
A couple negatives of the "all-in-one" solutions (that I came up with when I was deciding how to wire my house AV):
- If you want very loud and clear sound - you will need more power than most "keypad amplifiers" will put out. These are great for background music - but not "I'm going to sit here and just listen to some music" loud (and depth).
- You are locked into their system. If you want to change something in the future, you need to buy their components (or a compatible one).
I chose to go with home-run seperates. See my cocoon for how I did it (link in my sig). It's not neccessarily right, but it sure sounds good... I tried to write it from a beginner's perspective - hope it gives you some ideas.
One last thing to make it more confusing for you. If you decide to go with a whole-house system - check out HTD's setup. Their prices are good, and I've been very pleased with their in-wall speakers. If you are ever in Dallas, they have a showroom with all their equipment and you can hear it in action (I stopped by once when in town (I'm not from Dallas) to check out their speakers before I bought some).
I'm not sure I agree with you about things not being homerun in the future. You might be right - but there are a lot of benefits in a homerun topology - as long as you have plenty of options with your wiring. If you don't... then homerun doesn't buy much other than a common storage place for equipment.
A couple negatives of the "all-in-one" solutions (that I came up with when I was deciding how to wire my house AV):
- If you want very loud and clear sound - you will need more power than most "keypad amplifiers" will put out. These are great for background music - but not "I'm going to sit here and just listen to some music" loud (and depth).
- You are locked into their system. If you want to change something in the future, you need to buy their components (or a compatible one).
I chose to go with home-run seperates. See my cocoon for how I did it (link in my sig). It's not neccessarily right, but it sure sounds good... I tried to write it from a beginner's perspective - hope it gives you some ideas.
One last thing to make it more confusing for you. If you decide to go with a whole-house system - check out HTD's setup. Their prices are good, and I've been very pleased with their in-wall speakers. If you are ever in Dallas, they have a showroom with all their equipment and you can hear it in action (I stopped by once when in town (I'm not from Dallas) to check out their speakers before I bought some).
