Non-audiophile setting up Small biz stereo

September 20, 2007 7:40 PM

I'm setting up a stereo system for a small business but for some reason I can't figure out exactly what I need. Details after the jump...

It's a small salon that consists of a fairly large waiting area, and 3 separate rooms. The primary source of music will be an ipod which will just interface via a headphone to RCA adapter. What I need is a receiver (which I have found a few of, but none that will support 4 sets of speakers.), 4 sets of speakers and some sort of interface/box that will allow me to independently control the volume in each room.

So, I'm looking for the following:
-A way to control the volume to each set of speakers independently. (Most important)
-Recommendations for a receiver and affordable speakers.
-A way to complete the entire system for <$1,000.

To sum it up, I essentially need someone to tell me "This is the receiver that will support 4 sets of speakers and control the volume independently." or "There is a(n) _____ box that allows you to split the audio output to 4 sets of speakers and mix down volumes for each set."

Any help is appreciated, also any creative ideas on how to implement a variation of this system would be tremendous. Thanks!

posted by ibechase to technology (11 comments total)

If I was in your shoes, I'd pick up four cheap stereo amplifiers and drive them from a single source using one of these:

http://www.rolls.com/data/mx42man.pdf

It's a passive 4-channel "mixer" that can also be used in reverse to drive four outputs from one input. Plug the ipod into the mixer/splitter and then plug that into the four amps.

Four independent amps might be overkill, but with a little shopping you should be able to pick em up for $100 or so each, and having four big knobs that can be easily labeled for each room will be a helluva lot easier to use than some fancy 8-channel amp requiring several button presses to switch between each volume control. All this and 4 pairs of average speakers should be doable for under $1k, hell radio shack used to sell speakers popular for this use for about $50 a pair, they still might.
posted by waxboy at 8:27 PM on September 20, 2007

What you want is something like this switchbox, coupled with something like this fader feeding each set of speakers.

(I'm not 100% sure on that particular switchbox; previous models they've sold have been constant impedance but that one doesn't specifically mention it. Regardless, they are available.)

Finding a supplier in your neck of the woods is left as an exercise for the reader.
posted by Pinback at 9:15 PM on September 20, 2007

Find an amp with plenty of power, output it to a 4 speaker switchbox (to balance the load), and put faders in each room next to the speakers. Your associates will want to be able to adjust the volume based on their preference w/o going back to the waiting area,
posted by jpmack at 9:22 PM on September 20, 2007

70.7 volt audio distribution systems are the right way to accomplish what you are trying to achieve. 8 output stereo amplifiers are rare, because they are poor ways of accomplishing what you are trying to do. 10 transformers (2 large ones on the amp, and 2 smaller ones in the ceiling of each of 4 listening rooms), a bit a wiring, faders in every listening room, and good speakers in each room, will accomplish exactly what you want to achieve, reliably, over time, for well under $1K.
posted by paulsc at 10:33 PM on September 20, 2007

All you need is an EOS Wireless. One EOS core system bundle and two EOS wireless speakers should do it ($599.97 plus shipping). Note: I had to read the instruction manual to find out that each wireless speaker has a volume control knob.
posted by plokent at 11:19 PM on September 20, 2007

I was also thinking of using a powerful FM transmitter for the iPod and a good quality table radio for each room. I recommend using the Whole House FM Transmitter and Tivoli Model One or Two table radios. $568.96 + shipping for the Tivoli Model One monaural option and $888.96 + shipping for the Tivoli Model Two stereo option.
posted by plokent at 11:45 PM on September 20, 2007

Yeah, 70v or 100v speaker line systems are the right way to do it. But they're overkill for such a small setup, and tend to fail the "low cost" test by a wide margin (at least at retail prices)...
posted by Pinback at 1:02 AM on September 21, 2007

Don't forget to pay royalties to SoundExchange/RIAA.
posted by mjp at 10:02 AM on September 21, 2007

ASCAP not SoundExchange.
posted by plokent at 12:49 PM on September 21, 2007

Yes, as waxboy says, just get four cheap stereo receivers. You probably want to find nice little ones, but it doesn't really matter. You can get used receivers very economically, certainly less than $100 each, with a little effort on craigslist or at Value Village (under $50, really).

For speakers, you have to decide what you want a little more. People will be seeing them, you might want ceiling mounts or to install little shelves or something. The speakers will perform much better if they aren't jambed right into a corner, or up against a wall. Obviously you can't make proper placement a priority, but if you are at least thinking about it, a nice solution may present itself (try to keep them more than a foot, hopefully two feet, from walls and ceiling).

Depending on what you want to accomplish in terms of looks, price, and performance, there are a million and one choices. If you want clean and consistent looking ceiling mounted small speakers, you are looking at something over $100/pair (mounts can get quite expensive though). Try hitting the local Radio Shack and picking something out. Second hand stores can be a good place for speakers too, but since they will be seen, and you need a lot of them, it probably isn't the right place for you.

Wireless is fine, but I wouldn't go there unless it is something you want specifically. Sure it is a great feature, but you do see interference and troubles of different kinds. Wires can be messy, but they are foolproof.

Tell me you are in Toronto, cause I can certainly hook you up :)
posted by Chuckles at 8:33 PM on September 21, 2007

You don't need a mixer. 4 stereo receivers also come with 4 volume knobs!

I'm envisioning them all in one closet, but if you want the volume control in each room, rather than centrally located.. Well, it can all be solved, but.. Is the goal economy, features (remote control functioning from every room maybe?), performance, size, looks...
posted by Chuckles at 8:40 PM on September 21, 2007