So I'm looking to set up a new home stereo system throughout my house, not hard really. But I would like something that lets me control each speaker or each set of speakers separately. And it would be great to be able to do it from a mobile device, such as a phone or a tablet. So my question is, what system and speakers should I use or can I use that's out there that I can remote control with say an IPad, and I can manage the different speakers or different rooms separately from a single point
What kind of budget you looking at? Cause that kind of stuff is quite pricey. Your going to want a DSP unit with remote wireless control of its channel outputs. then you output each channel to a multi-channel power amplifier. For all throughout the house Im assuming you want in ceiling speakers? You should go with 70v speakers and a 70v audio amplifier. I recommend Crest Audio as I like them a lot, but QSC and Crown are good too. If your a baller then I always recommend Lab Gruppen. You could build a small HTPC to play music on and set it up for remote control from your phone or iPad. So that HTPC outputs to the DSP, DSP outputs to power amp, power amp goes to all speakers. So its kinda a two stage remote, one part does PC control for the media library, the 2nd part controls volume in the DSP. You can control master volume for all channels either from the PC or DSP, but individual channel control would have to be done in the DSP after it has split all the channels.
Once everything is set up I'll have my own server to store and stream the music from as well, forgot to mention that
Ah well that works too, same as an HTPC but just a better source. Ive been out of that business for a couple years now so I cant really recommend you a specific model anymore, but there are plenty out there. Ill try to do a quick search for you and see what I come up with. Most of the DSP's designed for channel splitting and control and all that have XLR inputs or phoenix connectors, so to get the best quality Id recommend a good sound card that can output in XLR or an external DAC. Something like this would be great: http://www.sounddevices.com/products/usbpre2.htm# I use those as an ADC for plugging in an RTA mic for sound measuring when mixing and/or tuning a sound system. It works well because of the detailed LED signal meter on the unit. Useful for easy matching of your sound output from your computer, the DAC, and the DSP. But ill get to finding a DSP for you soon
http://www.symetrix.co/products/jupiter-app-based-turn-key-dsp/jupiter-software-with-arc-web/ http://www.lectrosonics.com/ASPEN-Series/aspen-digital-audio-processors.html Unfortunately my favorite Dolby-Lake units arent made anymore
Ewww I like the Jupiter stuff. So what kind of speakers can I use or does it matter the brand? I build pc's not stereos lol so im a total n00b
I like JBL speakers for in ceiling stuff. Or you can do Bose if your into their type of sound. Or go with more home theater type companies like Paradigm or Definitive Technology, also heard good things about Noble Fidelity and Wisdom Audio. Figure out what speakers you want, then see if they are 4, 6, 8, or 16 ohm speakers, or if they are more commerical style 70V speakers. Once you know what type they are, look for a proper multi-channel power amp accordingly. Find the RMS wattage of the speaker, and buy a power amp that can output that proper amount of RMS wattage or close to it for all channels. And decide how many speakers you need to power and all that. Honestly you can get a power amp that can put out maybe 25-50w more than the speakers RMS as speakers can handle much more than their RMS rating if driven by a clean signal and power. What you definitely dont want to do is get an underpowered amp and then turn the volume up enough that the amp cant supply that much power. Then you get into clipping and can really damage your speakers. Usually in professional speakers you have the RMS rating, which is continual power for 24/7. Then the Program power rating which is normally 2x the RMS, and this can be sustained for an 8 hour period and is recommended wattage for speakers when doing a concert or other event. And then you have Peak wattage which is its max wattage handling for a couple miliseconds before the speaker blows. This peak is usually 2x the program, so 4x the RMS.
Sweet come to think of it, the speakers themselves don't have to be wireless at all as long as they work they're good, long as i can control them remotely I'm set
Oh you wanted wireless speakers too? Ya I dont think you can do that. It is hard enough to compress a line level audio signal and send it wireless. How are you supposed to compress a full speaker level signal or 1000x the power? lol I mean, I can think how to get it done in my head but it would be insanely expensive and a kinda WTF move. Just use normal in ceiling speakers with wires to the amp and control them remotely.
For a power amp Id probably recommend this: http://www.crestaudio.com/products/.../number/03001220/cat/443/begin/0/CiSeries.cfm It can use 70v speakers or low impedance 8-ohm speakers. It is 8 channels (8 speakers) too. and supports the euro style phoenix connectors that the Jupiter system DSP uses. This would also be ok: http://www.qscaudio.com/products/amps/cx/cx8/cx8.htm Or if you can afford it, these are my favorite power amps by far but you would need more of them as it is 4 channel: http://www.qscaudio.com/products/amps/dca/dca4/dca4.htm I have one of those ^^^^ to power my two front speakers in my home theater. They are designed more for high end IMAX theaters and such and their sound quality reflects that. Easily the cleanest most dynamic sound I have heard from a power amp yet. And considering I have personally worked with most QSC models, many Crest models, a ton of Crown, a couple Lab Gruppen's, some Peavey, Electro-Voice, Soundtech, JBL, and Pyramid amps, Id have to say I have a pretty good idea of which amps work well and sound good. Honestly, the saddest part of my personal experience in amps is that Id say the Soundtech amp I have is the #2 best... lol. They are a terrible company for the most part too.