Setting up multiple "areas" with audio system

Hi,

I am currently planning my home theater set up. My room is a wide
space seperated into a living room and bedroom. In the middle of the
room (between the bedroom and the living room) there is an LCD TV
which can be turned 360 degrees. In this way I use only one TV for
both rooms.
Now I'm planning on setting up the audio system. I was thinking of
purchasing a Bose Acoustimass 10 system (5.1 channels) but I'd like to
get surround sound in both the living room and the bedroom. Now
basically, if I can find a smart way to "switch" between speakers, I
should be able to have this set up with only 2 additional speakers.
What I'm not sure about is how this "switching" can be done. Here's an
illustration of how I was thinking this can be set up:

(1) (2)
BEDROOM
(3) TV+center (4)
LIVING ROOM
(5) (6)

The speakers are numbered (1) to (6). If it's not clear, the bedroom
is between speakers (1)-(2) and (3)-(4) and the living room is between
speakers (3)-(4) and (5)-(6).
When in the living room, I'd like speakers (5)+(6) to be rear, and
speakers (3)+(4) to be front.
When in the bedroom, I would switch speakers (1)+(2) to be rear, and
switch channels (left and right) on speakers (3)+(4).

Any idea on how this can be accomplished? (p.s. - other set up
suggestions are also welcome ).

Thanks in advance!

"Dan24" wrote in news:1171221125.647621.238270
@s48g2000cws.googlegroups.com:

Now I'm planning on setting up the audio system. I was thinking of
purchasing a Bose Acoustimass 10 system (5.1 channels) but I'd like to
get surround sound in both the living room and the bedroom.

Bose is a horrible choice - there are much better speakers for a better
price than Bose.

Do a quick search on Bose and you'll see what I mean :-)


Any idea on how this can be accomplished? (p.s. - other set up
suggestions are also welcome ).

Your received needs to support zones - then you can direct output to
specific pairs of speakers. Most mid-range receivers should be able to
handle at least 2 zones (A/B speakers). Higher end models can even run
sound through each room!

Another option is to set up a streaming MP3s system with something like a
SlimDevice.

On Feb 12, 12:29 am, Spam Catcher wrote:
"Dan24" wrote in news:1171221125.647621.238270
@s48g2000cws.googlegroups.com:

Now I'm planning on setting up the audio system. I was thinking of
purchasing a Bose Acoustimass 10 system (5.1 channels) but I'd like to
get surround sound in both the living room and the bedroom.

Bose is a horrible choice - there are much better speakers for a better
price than Bose.

Could you be more specific? What's wrong with Bose? and what's a
better choice (for example...)?


Do a quick search on Bose and you'll see what I mean :-)

Any idea on how this can be accomplished? (p.s. - other set up
suggestions are also welcome ).

Your received needs to support zones - then you can direct output to
specific pairs of speakers. Most mid-range receivers should be able to
handle at least 2 zones (A/B speakers). Higher end models can even run
sound through each room!

Another option is to set up a streaming MP3s system with something like a
SlimDevice.

I'd be glad to get some good receiver recommendations as well

Thanks,

Danny

"Dan24" wrote in message
oups.com...
Hi,

I am currently planning my home theater set up. My room is a wide
space seperated into a living room and bedroom. In the middle of the
room (between the bedroom and the living room) there is an LCD TV
which can be turned 360 degrees. In this way I use only one TV for
both rooms.
Now I'm planning on setting up the audio system. I was thinking of
purchasing a Bose Acoustimass 10 system (5.1 channels)

Ugh. Stop right there. If you're going to get Bose speakers just don't even
bother. They are pure junk. A clock radio will give you better sound and
cost less than $20.

Could you be more specific? What's wrong with Bose? and what's a
better choice (for example...)?

http://www.intellexual.net/bose.html

On Feb 11, 9:12 pm, "Dan24" wrote:
Hi,

I am currently planning my home theater set up. My room is a wide
space seperated into a living room and bedroom. In the middle of the
room (between the bedroom and the living room) there is an LCD TV
which can be turned 360 degrees. In this way I use only one TV for
both rooms.
Now I'm planning on setting up the audio system. I was thinking of
purchasing a Bose Acoustimass 10 system (5.1 channels) but I'd like to
get surround sound in both the living room and the bedroom. Now
basically, if I can find a smart way to "switch" between speakers, I
should be able to have this set up with only 2 additional speakers.
What I'm not sure about is how this "switching" can be done. Here's an
illustration of how I was thinking this can be set up:

(1) (2)
BEDROOM
(3) TV+center (4)
LIVING ROOM
(5) (6)

The speakers are numbered (1) to (6). If it's not clear, the bedroom
is between speakers (1)-(2) and (3)-(4) and the living room is between
speakers (3)-(4) and (5)-(6).
When in the living room, I'd like speakers (5)+(6) to be rear, and
speakers (3)+(4) to be front.
When in the bedroom, I would switch speakers (1)+(2) to be rear, and
switch channels (left and right) on speakers (3)+(4).

Any idea on how this can be accomplished? (p.s. - other set up
suggestions are also welcome ).

Thanks in advance!

I think you could accomplish this with some switches.

If you don't know about different types of switches, have a look at
the following link:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Switch

You should be able to do it with 2 DPDT (double pole double throw)
switches in the configuration below.

(I am posting this from google groups and I don't know if the
formatting will be correct. I couldn't find anywhere to switch the
font to plain text.)

3 4 4 3 1 6 2 5
o o o o o o o o
\ \ \ \
o o o o
| | | |
RF LF RR LR

When the switches are in the left position, it is Bedroom mode. When
the switches are in the right position, it is Living Room mode.

I have never tried something like this myself, so you should
definitely research it further before trying it, just to make sure it
won't damage your amp or something.

I guess you would also need a way to swivel the main speakers and
center channel 180 degrees, so the sound is directed to the proper
side.

Finally, I would recommend to always do the switching when the
receiver is off.

Hopefully I didn't make any stupid obvious mistakes, but I think it
will work...

Good Luck!

Eric

Dan24 wrote:

On Feb 12, 12:29 am, Spam Catcher wrote:


"Dan24" wrote in news:1171221125.647621.238270
:



Now I'm planning on setting up the audio system. I was thinking of
purchasing a Bose Acoustimass 10 system (5.1 channels) but I'd like to
get surround sound in both the living room and the bedroom.


Bose is a horrible choice - there are much better speakers for a better
price than Bose.



Could you be more specific? What's wrong with Bose? and what's a
better choice (for example...)?



Friends don't let friends buy Bose!
Wildly over priced and sub par quality to boot.
Bose is all marketing hype to the masses.....

Do a quick search on Bose and you'll see what I mean :-)



Any idea on how this can be accomplished? (p.s. - other set up
suggestions are also welcome ).


Your received needs to support zones - then you can direct output to
specific pairs of speakers. Most mid-range receivers should be able to
handle at least 2 zones (A/B speakers). Higher end models can even run
sound through each room!

Another option is to set up a streaming MP3s system with something like a
SlimDevice.



I'd be glad to get some good receiver recommendations as well

Thanks,

Danny




--
Ric Seyler
Online Racing: RicSeyler
GPL Handicap 6.35

http://www.pcola.gulf.net/~ricseyler
remove -SPAM- from email address
--------------------------------------
"Homer no function beer well without."
- H.J. Simpson

On Feb 12, 12:29 am, Spam Catcher wrote:
"Dan24" wrote in news:1171221125.647621.238270
@s48g2000cws.googlegroups.com:

Now I'm planning on setting up the audio system. I was thinking of
purchasing a Bose Acoustimass 10 system (5.1 channels) but I'd like to
get surround sound in both the living room and the bedroom.

Bose is a horrible choice - there are much better speakers for a better
price than Bose.

Do a quick search on Bose and you'll see what I mean :-)

Any idea on how this can be accomplished? (p.s. - other set up
suggestions are also welcome ).

Your received needs to support zones - then you can direct output to
specific pairs of speakers. Most mid-range receivers should be able to
handle at least 2 zones (A/B speakers). Higher end models can even run
sound through each room!

Another option is to set up a streaming MP3s system with something like a
SlimDevice.

But most multizone receivers require an additional receiver /
amplifier don't they? this makes this a very expensive solution. I've
seen some multi-zone receivers and they don't seem to have additional
speaker outputs at the rear (am I missing something here?)

Dan24 wrote:

On Feb 12, 12:29 am, Spam Catcher wrote:


"Dan24" wrote in news:1171221125.647621.238270
:



Now I'm planning on setting up the audio system. I was thinking of
purchasing a Bose Acoustimass 10 system (5.1 channels) but I'd like to
get surround sound in both the living room and the bedroom.


Bose is a horrible choice - there are much better speakers for a better
price than Bose.

Do a quick search on Bose and you'll see what I mean :-)



Any idea on how this can be accomplished? (p.s. - other set up
suggestions are also welcome ).


Your received needs to support zones - then you can direct output to
specific pairs of speakers. Most mid-range receivers should be able to
handle at least 2 zones (A/B speakers). Higher end models can even run
sound through each room!

Another option is to set up a streaming MP3s system with something like a
SlimDevice.



But most multizone receivers require an additional receiver /
amplifier don't they? this makes this a very expensive solution. I've
seen some multi-zone receivers and they don't seem to have additional
speaker outputs at the rear (am I missing something here?)


Most 7.1 Receivers on the market will allow a 2nd Zone in Stereo
when the primary zone is configured in 5.1.
You assign the 2 extra amp channels to the 2nd zone.

--
Ric Seyler
Online Racing: RicSeyler
GPL Handicap 6.35

http://www.pcola.gulf.net/~ricseyler
remove -SPAM- from email address
--------------------------------------
"Homer no function beer well without."
- H.J. Simpson

On Feb 14, 12:32 am, RicSeyler wrote:
Dan24 wrote:
On Feb 12, 12:29 am, Spam Catcher wrote:

"Dan24" wrote in news:1171221125.647621.238270
:

Now I'm planning on setting up the audio system. I was thinking of
purchasing a Bose Acoustimass 10 system (5.1 channels) but I'd like to
get surround sound in both the living room and the bedroom.

Bose is a horrible choice - there are much better speakers for a better
price than Bose.

Do a quick search on Bose and you'll see what I mean :-)

Any idea on how this can be accomplished? (p.s. - other set up
suggestions are also welcome ).

Your received needs to support zones - then you can direct output to
specific pairs of speakers. Most mid-range receivers should be able to
handle at least 2 zones (A/B speakers). Higher end models can even run
sound through each room!

Another option is to set up a streaming MP3s system with something like a
SlimDevice.

But most multizone receivers require an additional receiver /
amplifier don't they? this makes this a very expensive solution. I've
seen some multi-zone receivers and they don't seem to have additional
speaker outputs at the rear (am I missing something here?)

Most 7.1 Receivers on the market will allow a 2nd Zone in Stereo
when the primary zone is configured in 5.1.
You assign the 2 extra amp channels to the 2nd zone.

--
Ric Seyler
Online Racing: RicSeyler
GPL Handicap 6.35
/~ricseyler
remove -SPAM- from email address
--------------------------------------
"Homer no function beer well without."
- H.J. Simpson

Yeah that's exactly what I was thinking and also the reason why a
multi-zone receiver will not suffice in this case since I want to get
surround in both rooms. How about using speaker switches? do they drop
the sound quality? I don't need to split the audio since I will only
be in 1 room at any given time...