Looking for an advanced music/PC system.

2009-04-16 22:19:54

#1

Hakei: Banned; +295|6258

Around $40'000 to spend.

Looking for a computer/speaker system that allows you to have music playing throughout the whole house (Two speakers in each room), two touch screen remote controls that allow you to change the songs remotely (IE one for the kitchen one for the lounge)

I have a very weak understanding of electronic audio, though to the best of my knowledge I'd basically have a gaming PC with a decent sound card? Then I'd hook up all the speakers into that, or would I need some sort of board that I insert my wires into before they go into the PC?

Any ideas/links welcomed, and if possible - stuff available to Australia.

2009-04-16 22:53:36

#2

Freezer7Pro: I don't come here a lot anymore.; +1,447|6460|Winland

Well, what kind of audio system are you looking for? Something very big and loud for parties or something to just spread music like in a mall?

The idea of any hi-fi system is to reproduce the source material as faithfully as possible, and to deliberately add distortion to everything you hear (due to amplifier deficiencies) because it sounds 'nice' is simply not high fidelity. If that is what you want to hear then there is no problem with that, but by adding so much additional material (by way of harmonics and intermodulation) you have a tailored sound system, not a hi-fi. - Rod Elliot, ESP

2009-04-16 22:58:13

#3

Hakei: Banned; +295|6258

A bit of both, I guess, I want even distribution throughout with the ability to change the volumes in different rooms.

2009-04-16 23:03:51

#4

Scorpion0x17: can detect anyone's visible post count...; +691|7029|Cambridge (UK)

What about a Moon-On-A-Stick to go with it?

2009-04-16 23:04:57

#5

Freezer7Pro: I don't come here a lot anymore.; +1,447|6460|Winland

If you don't need super loud music, a way to go would be spreading active monitors throughout the house. That and some remote-controlled switchbox (don't know of any, sorry, but they do exist) with separate channel mixing/volume control could be a way to go.

The idea of any hi-fi system is to reproduce the source material as faithfully as possible, and to deliberately add distortion to everything you hear (due to amplifier deficiencies) because it sounds 'nice' is simply not high fidelity. If that is what you want to hear then there is no problem with that, but by adding so much additional material (by way of harmonics and intermodulation) you have a tailored sound system, not a hi-fi. - Rod Elliot, ESP

2009-04-16 23:47:04

#6

Kmar: Truth is my Bitch; +5,695|6864|132 and Bush

Hakei wrote:
Around $40'000 to spend.

I have a very weak understanding of electronic audio.

Oh my... lol.

You need to elaborate. What you said in the OP can be done for a lot less.. and kick ass. "I want even distribution throughout with the ability to change the volumes in different rooms." I used ir blasters to control the volume in each room (wall mounts+remotes). You'll also need multiple zones to listen to different things in different rooms (TV, Tuner, etc). If you get the proper receiver you wont need a separate machine to control everything. The remotes are the computers.

Are you trying to build a smart home? (considering the price) If so I recommend you get professional help. You can drop a lot of dough in an instant. .. you'll want someone insured that will back and warranty your equipment. If you are serious about spending 40k meet with a consultant, it's usually free and you'll walk out feeling informed and confident.

Xbone Stormsurgezz

2009-04-16 23:49:53

#7

DonFck: Hibernator; +3,227|6895|Finland

That reminds me, I need to go put in my lotto numbers.

I need around tree fiddy.

2009-04-17 00:00:15

#8

GR34: Member; +215|6808|ALBERTA> CANADA

well if you want to hear music around the whole house.

A) Get an Ipod and ear phones
B) carry a boom box around with you

2009-04-17 00:07:37

#9

Kmar: Truth is my Bitch; +5,695|6864|132 and Bush

GR34 wrote:
well if you want to hear music around the whole house.

First. Get an Ipod and ear phones

Second. Send check for $39,650 to GR34

Xbone Stormsurgezz

2009-04-17 00:18:50

#10

Varegg: Support fanatic :-); +2,206|7073|Nårvei

Seriously ... comparing an Ipod and quality HiFi equipment is like

Do what Kmarion said, go see a consultant, many HiFi stores offers free consultation ... it's very hard to recommend something without seeing the house in question, how the rooms are, materials, wallpaper, floors, windows etc etc ... so many things to concider ...

Wait behind the line ..............................................................

2009-04-17 01:06:05

#11

some_random_panda: Flamesuit essential; +454|6654

Varegg wrote:
Seriously ... comparing an Ipod and quality HiFi equipment is like

Do what Kmarion said, go see a consultant, many HiFi stores offers free consultation ... it's very hard to recommend something without seeing the house in question, how the rooms are, materials, wallpaper, floors, windows etc etc ... so many things to concider ...

Alright, get the newest Cowon, Ultimate Ears earphones, and SD card. Done.

2009-04-17 01:34:19

#12

Jenspm: penis; +1,716|6995|St. Andrews / Oslo

Don't those fanciest Onkyo recievers support sound in like, 7 zones?

I haven't tried those, but we have a Bose (omg Bose is shit random tech specs omg) set-up over here, and it works perfectly. Sound in 6 rooms (TV room, Kitchen, Dining Room, Living Room, Library/Office & outside). Apart from the TV room, all rooms have speakers built in the ceiling. Sounds like what you're looking for.

Note: The speakers are what I would call "easy listening" speakers - speakers one would mainly use for background music (which is the only thing we use them for, heh). They're only "bad" when you play loud music with lots of bass - which I never listen to. But that doesn't really matter, you can connect other speakers to the system if you want...

Anyways, each room has its own remote, where the idea is that you dump all your music into the system and navigate through the artists/albums/songs (or select TV, Radio, PC, DVD or whatever) with the included remote.

However, you could connect your PC to the system, set all rooms to the PC input and get some logitech harmonies or iPod touches to control the music via your PC.

It works perfectly, but Bose tends to be rather pricey. You could go for some Onkyo reciever and some speakers, but from what I understand, things get a lot more complicated. But I wouldn't know; haven't tried.

Good Luck

https://static.bf2s.com/files/user/26774/flickricon.png

2009-04-17 01:46:38

#13

Freezer7Pro: I don't come here a lot anymore.; +1,447|6460|Winland

Bose is overpriced and utter shit compared to even cheaper systems. Don't try to defend it, Jens

The idea of any hi-fi system is to reproduce the source material as faithfully as possible, and to deliberately add distortion to everything you hear (due to amplifier deficiencies) because it sounds 'nice' is simply not high fidelity. If that is what you want to hear then there is no problem with that, but by adding so much additional material (by way of harmonics and intermodulation) you have a tailored sound system, not a hi-fi. - Rod Elliot, ESP

2009-04-17 02:02:35

#14

GC_PaNzerFIN: Work and study @ Technical Uni; +528|6677|Finland

Something doesn't add up: +189|506|YOU IS TROLLIN

I'd basically have a gaming PC with a decent sound card?

So using 37K on audio hardware..... zomg

I will want to see pics when you get it ok? or it didn't happen.

3930K | H100i | RIVF | 16GB DDR3 | GTX 480 | AX750 | 800D | 512GB SSD | 3TB HDD | Xonar DX | W8

2009-04-17 02:11:20

#15

.Sup: be nice; +2,646|6716|The Twilight Zone

You need in-wall clients in every room to be able to control your music from everywhere + a server

For example:

Yamaha's solution: http://www.yamaha.com/yec/musiccast.htm … YP=PRODUCT

Cambridge Audio's solution: http://www.cambridgeaudio.com/categorie … ertainment

https://www.shrani.si/f/3H/7h/45GTw71U/untitled-1.png

2009-04-17 02:41:54

#16

liquidat0r: wtf.; +2,223|6890|UK

If you have 40K to spend and don't know anything about audio systems/etc then hire a professional to do it for you.

2009-04-17 02:59:04

#17

Jenspm: penis; +1,716|6995|St. Andrews / Oslo

Freezer7Pro wrote:
Bose is overpriced and utter shit compared to even cheaper systems. Don't try to defend it, Jens

sure, but it's not a bad choice for a guy with $40k and who has "a very weak understanding of electronic audio".

I'll admit, I haven't tried the other options, but our Bose system works great for what we need it for, and it's amazingly easy to use and set up. I wouldn't choose Bose if I were to set up something for myself, but for Hakei, due to the above, it should work great.

2009-04-17 03:00:21

#18

Little BaBy JESUS: m8; +394|6412|'straya

liquidat0r wrote:
If you have 40K to spend and don't know anything about audio systems/etc then hire a professional to do it for you.

I don't know much about it.

but if I was dumping that much cash into it, I think i'd hire a pro

2009-04-17 04:07:52

#19

Hakei: Banned; +295|6258

.Sup wrote:
You need in-wall clients in every room to be able to control your music from everywhere + a server

For example:

Yamaha's solution: http://www.yamaha.com/yec/musiccast.htm … YP=PRODUCT

Cambridge Audio's solution: http://www.cambridgeaudio.com/categorie … ertainment

Excellent, that Music Cast was exactly the thing I was looking for.

Are there any speakers that are made for that type of system? Any chance you'd have a link?

2009-04-17 04:17:52

#20

.Sup: be nice; +2,646|6716|The Twilight Zone

Hakei wrote:
.Sup wrote:
You need in-wall clients in every room to be able to control your music from everywhere + a server

For example:

Yamaha's solution: http://www.yamaha.com/yec/musiccast.htm … YP=PRODUCT

Cambridge Audio's solution: http://www.cambridgeaudio.com/categorie … ertainment
Excellent, that Music Cast was exactly the thing I was looking for.

Are there any speakers that are made for that type of system? Any chance you'd have a link?

If you click"all products" you can see 2.0 wallmount speakers designed for specifically for music cast system but you can basically connect everything to the in-wall amp also listed on their site-any active speakers or a dedicated amp+passive speakers. Hook up what you like basically, its up to you.

2009-04-17 20:14:18

#21

Defiance: Member; +438|6934

Jenspm wrote:
Freezer7Pro wrote:
Bose is overpriced and utter shit compared to even cheaper systems. Don't try to defend it, Jens
sure, but it's not a bad choice for a guy with $40k and who has "a very weak understanding of electronic audio".

I'll admit, I haven't tried the other options, but our Bose system works great for what we need it for, and it's amazingly easy to use and set up. I wouldn't choose Bose if I were to set up something for myself, but for Hakei, due to the above, it should work great.

No, it would be even worse. Say a product is worth $20 but marked at $30. You waste $10 on the label. Say it's worth $1000, but it's marked at $1300. You just wasted $300, and you've still got a lot of money to spend and more chunks of $300 to waste. Next, in the realm of very expensive components, making sure you're making the right purchase is a big deal because you're making a large investment.

2009-04-17 21:04:02

#22

Kmar: Truth is my Bitch; +5,695|6864|132 and Bush

liquidat0r wrote:
If you have 40K to spend and don't know anything about audio systems/etc then hire a professional to do it for you.

If you think you do still consider it. Even if you are the epitome of pro installation mastery you'll want the install insured and warranted. Would anyone here buy a 40k car without a warranty? I've dealt with high end equipment issues before and the manufacturer is quick to blame the install on the problems.. even if everything was done to exact specifications.

Xbone Stormsurgezz

2009-04-18 02:20:01

#23

.Sup: be nice; +2,646|6716|The Twilight Zone

Was so hard to find this http://www.sonos.com/Default.aspx?rdr=t … gType=1033
read about it 4 years ago but couldn't remember the name, still one of the best solutions for home multiroom audio

https://www.sonos.com/uploadedImages/What_To_Buy/ZonePlayer_ZP90/img_32_2.jpg

Last edited by .Sup (2009-04-18 02:34:51)

2009-04-18 02:41:20

#24

mcminty: Moderating your content for the Australian Govt.; +879|6984|Sydney, Australia

Another thing to consider when getting high end audio equipment is the quality of your music files, cause 128 kbps MP3s ain't going to cut it any more.

2009-04-18 02:42:48

#25

.Sup: be nice; +2,646|6716|The Twilight Zone

mcminty wrote:
Another thing to consider when getting high end audio equipment is the quality of your music files, cause 128 kbps MP3s ain't going to cut it any more.

Internet radio works fine for me (@192kbps)

BF2S Forums Looking for an advanced music/PC system.

Hakei wrote:

GR34 wrote:

Varegg wrote:

Freezer7Pro wrote:

liquidat0r wrote:

.Sup wrote:

Hakei wrote:

.Sup wrote:

Jenspm wrote:

Freezer7Pro wrote:

liquidat0r wrote:

mcminty wrote:

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