Whether you’re building a new house or upgrading an existing hi-fi system, multiroom audio systems allow you to play music in every room without trailing wires or installing complex control systems. They are wireless and can be controlled by an app on your phone or tablet — or by voice assistants.
High-quality sound
With a multiroom audio system installed, you can enjoy high-quality sound throughout your home. The system consolidates your music components, streaming devices and CD players into one easy-to-use product that distributes every song to speakers positioned throughout the house. This allows your kids to listen to country music while you cook, and your significant other can relax with rap in the bedroom. In addition, multiroom audio can sync with other smart home products like lights and window blinds to alter the ambiance of a room at the touch of a button on a remote control, wall-mounted keypad or smartphone.
Getting started with a multiroom audio system is simple. Start by assessing your needs and comparing them with what your current equipment or setup provides. Then, decide what you need to do to get the best possible result. This could involve buying a new receiver or amplifier that offers preamp outputs for zones 2 and 3, or using a bridging box such as the Bluesound Powernode or Edge.
Portable connectivity
The latest multiroom systems allow you to stream music wirelessly from your smart device. This means that everyone in the household can listen to whatever they want, whether it’s a party playlist or some Brahms for the teenagers.
A wireless multiroom system uses speakers, amps, soundbars or AV receivers that connect to your home Wi-Fi network and allow you to play music seamlessly around the house. It can use a digital music library stored on a NAS (network attached storage) drive or one of the big streaming services like Spotify, Tidal HiFi, or Deezer.
The best multiroom systems also offer voice assistant options through Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant that you can control with your voice. This makes it easy to choose your favourite tunes, adjust the volume or switch between different sources. This makes a multiroom system ideal for those who don’t want to invest in a dedicated smart speaker but would still like to enjoy the convenience of voice control.
Easy to operate
With multiroom audio systems, you can easily access your music collection from any room in the house at the touch of a button. Whether you’re doing an epic Rickroll in the living room, blasting The Wiggles soundtrack for the kids in the kitchen, or streaming the 99% Invisible podcast as you prepare for work in your bathroom, the entertainment possibilities are limitless.
You can choose to play the same song in every room at once, or different music in each zone of your home – and you can even use voice control technology to make it happen. A professional system designer can help you decide what type of multiroom audio solution will be best for your space and budget.
Compared to traditional speaker setups, which require trailing wires and complex home automation systems, multiroom audio is a breeze to operate. You can control it from mobile devices, touchscreens, keypads, remotes, and even your voice. A professional can show you how to use it, so you’ll be enjoying it in no time.
Easy to install
A multiroom audio system can be built into your walls and ceilings to create a clean, sleek look. Unlike traditional music systems, which have multiple speakers and a jumble of wires, multiroom audio systems feature minimal hardware and no cords to tangle around. This means that your house will be cleaner and more organized. A smart home professional can hide the speakers inside your walls, paint their grills to match your décor and even tuck them away in a closet to keep the wires out of sight.
With a multiroom audio system, you can stream music throughout your entire home with the touch of a button or the sound of your voice. You can access all your favorite music sources, including streaming services like Spotify and Apple Music, your own digital library on a NAS or computer, and even your prized vinyl collection. All of this is controlled with a single app on your smartphone, tablet or even by using your voice.
