Your home audio/theater setup

[LineSkiCat14]

I still think a lot of this automation is still a ways off. It needs to actually serve a purpose and make things easier. If I still need to jump through several interfaces/devices/systems, than it's not really helping me.

I guess I just don't understand how the Echo can really help audio/theater systems, if you're not using some of these newer companies like Sonos. The Echo isn't going to handle all these different inputs like you 100-disc CD player or a record player.

It's not perfect, but bluetooth to your stereo system (if it can, but most have this feature), with A and B speaker setups, seems to be the simplest way to go.

 

[UK 82]

I still think a lot of this automation is still a ways off. It needs to actually serve a purpose and make things easier. If I still need to jump through several interfaces/devices/systems, than it's not really helping me.

I guess I just don't understand how the Echo can really help audio/theater systems, if you're not using some of these newer companies like Sonos. The Echo isn't going to handle all these different inputs like you 100-disc CD player or a record player.

It's not perfect, but bluetooth to your stereo system (if it can, but most have this feature), with A and B speaker setups, seems to be the simplest way to go.

I was fortunate because I hard wired my house years ago. I drilled down through the unfinished part of the basement and then back up so there's virtually no wires showing. I was also able to hard wire a speaker to the deck and upstairs in the hallway. I piggybacked 2 receivers together for a total of 8 throughout the house. Works really well for PC music, turntable, CDs and even stereo TV. My home theater is a separate set-up.

 

[CrittendenWildcat]

I know it can with the Sonos One, because you define rooms on that system. Not sure how the Echo Dot can work with some of the "dumber" home theater setups as it pertains to rooms. Those would have to be defined somewhere.

https://www.theverge.com/2017/8/29/16219978/amazon-echo-multi-room-music-playback-how-to

 

[MegaBlue05]

Cutting edge 21-inch tube TV.

The new IN STEREO feature is so dope.

My home stereo set up is this bad boy.

High speed dubs to the max.

 

[420grover]

Onkyo home theater receiver, Onkyo 10" powered sub, Bose surround speakers.

 

[anthonys735]

Debating on Sonos right now. Not a audio quality snob, ease of use is way more important. I do have the ability to easily run wire for a hard wired system so I'm still considering that as well. Having an app that works seamlessly through all rooms, listening to different music in different rooms, Alexa compatible. Seems like a great system and not that much more expensive than having a pro wire the entire house.


A little off topic but does anyone have Ring security cams?

 

[AlbanyWildCat]

A little off topic but does anyone have Ring security cams?

Interested as well...if it is anything like the doorbell, then they should be good. Are you considering the cam or the flood light?

 

[AlbanyWildCat]

And I think the speaker on the Ehco is pretty good. Utilization of the Echo and Dot is nothing more than convenience.

 

[CrittendenWildcat]

Cutting edge 21-inch tube TV.

The new IN STEREO feature is so dope.

My home stereo set up is this bad boy.

High speed dubs to the max.

I think my brother still has that system in a rack, Sears brand, probably purchased in the mid-80's.

 

[Crushgroove]

Any Emotiva fan bois besides me? That's likely my next purchase as an upgrade.

I guess I don't fully see the need for 100% sound integration throughout the home. Not saying there's anything wrong with it, I just don't see the need for me. Every room I want music in has a device that'll let me stream to it and the idea of a quality audio source signal being degraded over 100ft of speaker wire that'll pick up electrical noise and interference along the way, doesn't sound like a problem solved to me.

Gotta huge Trane LCD wifi ******** thermostat on my wall and I still haven't fully figured that thing out. Even using Alexa, there's a delay i its reaction. I miss manual levers and buttons... it's just a GD thermostat. Some things just don't need to be made any easier than they already are.

EDIT: not Alexa. I meant Nexia.

 

[UK 82]

Any Emotiva fan bois besides me? That's likely my next purchase as an upgrade.

I guess I don't fully see the need for 100% sound integration throughout the home. Not saying there's anything wrong with it, I just don't see the need for me. Every room I want music in has a device that'll let me stream to it and the idea of a quality audio source signal being degraded over 100ft of speaker wire that'll pick up electrical noise and interference along the way, doesn't sound like a problem solved to me.

Gotta huge Trane LCD wifi ******** thermostat on my wall and I still haven't fully figured that thing out. Even using Alexa, there's a delay i its reaction. I miss manual levers and buttons... it's just a GD thermostat. Some things just don't need to be made any easier than they already are.

EDIT: not Alexa. I meant Nexia.

Everybody has different needs when it comes to audio. Whole house systems are mostly used for background music and they're great for parties/get-togethers. I doubt many people use them for critical listening. I have a separate 2-channel system for that.

As far as interference is concerned there's isn't any if you use good shielded heavier gauge cable for the longer runs. Also keep them away from electrical outlets. Blue Jean Cable is an excellent source and they cut to length.

Emotiva makes really good amps. I was running an old Parasound amp that got fried for my rear home theater speakers. I replaced it with an Emotiva amp and couldn't be happier.

 

[Crushgroove]

I understand. See, just the thought of 'people' mingling throughout my home could give me a panic attack, so I can see the split. We don't exactly entertain en masse, and oddly enough, when we do entertain, we usually end up listening to records at some point b/c folks are always thrilled with the novelty and the idea that I have so many. All that mess is prominently displayed and is a sure-fire conversation starter.

The thought of random friends rummaging thru my vinyl makes my skin crawl. Nope, the thought of anybody besides me touching it makes me uneasy. Anyway...

I also understand quality interconnects. Again, it's a diminished returns issue involving cost, work involved and the end result. Worth it to some, not to others. I'm a hard-signal-source, transport kinda guy, but I'd still argue a quality digital source file stresmed over a BT connection to a decent speaker would be more cost effective versus actual output (in a single location app), but, all applications are different, too. I ran Cat-6 thru my attic and with the low eaves of a hip roof, it was a complete PITA getting to and fishing cable thru outside walls in that tiny angle. I'm not sure it's worth that fight to me, and I'm damned sure not going to pay another man to do it. Like you said, it's just different for everybody.

I've owned a few Emotiva products. All good. Fantastic for the money.

 

[anthonys735]

Interested as well...if it is anything like the doorbell, then they should be good. Are you considering the cam or the flood light?

I currently have a wired security system but cameras are failing and getting old. Ring looks pretty cool, co-worker has it and the quality is better than my wired system and he can access the DVR via easy to use app.

So I'd be using a few of the different cameras for different areas of the house. Flood for along the drive, something at the front door(co-worker uses one of the spotlights for front door b/c of the application), probably a flood at the garage and the spotlights around.


-The sound system we use if for entertaining. We have people over at least once a week and host large tailgates. Other than that it places nursery rhymes or freeze dance song.

 

[CrittendenWildcat]

Question about security cam etiquette: I have several, I'm a sucker for a cheap IP cam (I usually pay the price in the long run by wasting time troubleshooting setup, but I digress), and I put them in windows and point them outward. I don't have any pointed inside the house because I know they are susceptible to hacking. My question is, would that bother you as a neighbor to have the neighbor across from you pointing a security cam out at your house?

 

[anthonys735]

Mine shoot down the side of the house and driveway. I don't pick up any of the neighbors actual house.

 

[Ahnan E. Muss]

I guess I don't fully see the need for 100% sound integration throughout the home. Not saying there's anything wrong with it, I just don't see the need for me. Every room I want music in has a device that'll let me stream to it and the idea of a quality audio source signal being degraded over 100ft of speaker wire that'll pick up electrical noise and interference along the way, doesn't sound like a problem solved to me.

Speaker wire is practically impervious to picking up noise/interference due to the high current (low source impedance, low load impedance) nature of the connection and the +/- cables running in parallel.

 

[Ahnan E. Muss]

As far as interference is concerned there's isn't any if you use good shielded heavier gauge cable for the longer runs. Also keep them away from electrical outlets. Blue Jean Cable is an excellent source and they cut to length.

Shielded cable isn't the issue with speaker wire being mostly impervious to picking up interference. It's the nature of the high current, relatively low load impedance of the speaker, not to mention the + and - pick up fields equally and cancel out. It's not about any shielding on speaker wire. The PVC or LPE or whatever else around the wire itself is more about safety than anything, especially with in-wall wiring.

But, yes, in a long run parallel to a long run of power cabling, a little 60Hz can be picked up. So that's to be avoided.

But something like Cluster's hypothetical 100 foot run should be avoided at all costs anyway. 100 feet is just too long. Not because of picking up interference, but because of losses from the cable. Sure, one can use a thicker (lower gauge) cable, but that only works to a point. You'd need ridiculously thick cable. And you'd have too much inductance or capacitance.

Shielding is more important in coaxial cable, such as RF cable and interconnects. Even then, most off-the-shelf cheap stuff is plenty good enough for relatively short runs (a few feet or less). For longer runs, balanced audio connectors work best to avoid picking up interference.

 

[mashburned]

Question about security cam etiquette: I have several, I'm a sucker for a cheap IP cam (I usually pay the price in the long run by wasting time troubleshooting setup, but I digress), and I put them in windows and point them outward. I don't have any pointed inside the house because I know they are susceptible to hacking. My question is, would that bother you as a neighbor to have the neighbor across from you pointing a security cam out at your house?

lol I would murder you inside your house and your creepy cameras wouldn't see a thing.

 

[CrittendenWildcat]

lol I would murder you inside your house and your creepy cameras wouldn't see a thing.

You mean creepy like, say, anonymous death threats on an internet message board creepy?

Anyway, come at me, bro. My girlfriend's Pekingese would eat your pansy @ss alive.

Seriously, it's the deterrent effect I'm really looking for. I just want to make sure I'm not offending my neighbors. I really don't give two sh!ts about the comings and goings of my neighbors, I just want to make sure I know who's coming around my door if I can, and beyond that I hope the cameras give pause to would-be criminals who prefer anonymity to positive identification and jail time.

 

[mashburned]

I really don't give two sh!ts about the comings and goings of my neighbors, I just want to make sure I know who's coming around my door if I can

Then maybe keep your cameras on your property, weirdo.

I dare you to go ask your neighbors if they have a problem with the multiple cameras you have pointed at their houses. They might be able to answer your question better than anonymous message boarders.

 

[CrittendenWildcat]

Then maybe keep your cameras on your property, weirdo.

I dare you to go ask your neighbors if they have a problem with the multiple cameras you have pointed at their houses. They might be able to answer your question better than anonymous message boarders.

That was kinda the point of my question. Are people creeped out about it? Is it a breach of some unspoken neighborly etiquette? Your opinion is yes. Duly noted.

I'm pointing it down my driveway. It's a 1080p camera, has 180 degree horizontal and about 40 degree vertical movement. I can't not get their house in the picture. Having said that, they are elderly homebodies, I've lived here over 2 1/2 years and the number of times I've actually seen them outside I could count on one hand. They probably can't see the camera, don't know it's there, and have more important things to worry about anyway.

If it's any consolation to you, I have a flag lot behind me. I have that camera angled to capture my back porch, but not the house behind me. I'm a caring and sensitive creep like that.

 

[Rex Kwon Do]

Hardwired camera system....pretty nice but I prolly would have done a few more cameras. Installed when we built the house. None pointed at other homes but probably should’ve to capture the street. Btw Mash is just trolling of course, not like you can see into others homes really not would you want to.

Most frustrating thing is the app and the dvr, have had to pay multiple times for them to be adjusted and currently the app doesn’t support iOS 11. I think being less invested in hardwired and just do Ring type stuff as it becomes available is the better option and I may add some of their products.

 

[wildcatdon]

65" Panasonic Plasma 3D smart TV with Definitive Technology speakers and Pioneer Receiver and Panasonic Blue Ray 3D player.

 

[jameslee32]

A 37 year-old Carver preamp and tuner, Hafler 110 watt amp built from a kit but my AR 9's and Nakamichi cassette deck bit the dust. The Magnavox CD player still going strong but I turned to Boston Acoustic bookshelf speakers. The Dokorder reel-to-reel is in storage.

 

[jameslee32]

One tv is connected to a Panasonic mini home theatre system. My second tv is connected to a Sony receiver with a pair of B&W bookshelf speakers and a Velodyne sub circa 2000. I have a set of fears and a center channel, but haven’t used them in years.

I usually just stream music through the sat tv app.

On a side note, every movie that I’ve ever streamed from either Netflix or Amazon seems to be only broadcast in 2 channel stereo. Is that on them or do I need to upgrade something on my end?

My B&W outdoor speakers are easily the best in my house.

 

[CrittendenWildcat]

https://www.gearbest.com/ip-cameras/pp_693217.html

I have received 2 of these 1080p cameras so far, with 1 more on order. First and second I paid $20 for, 3rd was $17 (which it still is using a coupon code). It's coming from China, so it will take a couple of weeks to arrive, I usually spring for some cheap form of trackable shipping which is usually a little faster.

Anyway, the bad: This camera is only made for Xiaomi's China market, so you can't register it unless you set your location as Homeland China and the app's writing is at least partially in Chinese, and the camera speaks to you in Chinese during setup. It was a huge pain to set up the first one, had to do a lot of research online and I still don't know all the settings that are labeled in Chinese. Also, this doesn't have multiple methods of connection, you MUST use their app and it has to pass through their China servers (!).

The good: 1080p, nice and sleek, unobtrusive, the second one was easy to get set up since I'd already figured the first one out, nice range of motion, and this one is very close to being hacked for use via RTSP for direct connection (actually already hacked for RTSP using MJPEG, H264 is still in the works). For $17!!!!

 

[mashburned]

So not only are you spying on your neighbors, you're allowing China to spy on them? Wtf are you doing man.

 

[_Chase_]

@anthonys735 Ring is a good option for a doorbell with a camera on it, but check out NetGear's Arlo Pro for a wireless security system. It could be what you're looking for.

 

[Kooky Kats]

It’s a shame that audio technology has advanced exponentially over 30 years that not one album of new decent music was produced.

My $15,000 home theater setup is dope and ready to watch Gigli in 4K UHD.

 

[anthonys735]

@anthonys735 Ring is a good option for a doorbell with a camera on it, but check out NetGear's Arlo Pro for a wireless security system. It could be what you're looking for.

Yeah. Looks similar to ring. Since I can have it wired easily I'm looking at a permanent electric wire and wifi. Ring's come like that. Think I'm pretty well set on:

Sonos:
Play 5, Play3, (3) Play 1

Ring:
2 Flood, 1 door, 3 regular OD cams.