Gregf Posted November 8, 2017 Share Posted November 8, 2017 Building a new home and have a simple home audio requirement. Need some help sorting through dealers quote and suggestions i have 4 sources, including the desire to use my iPhone for Apple Music streams and for content like audio books, etc. i have 4 rooms/zones, one of which I want to double as a home theater room. i want to control all this with my iPhone. would like matrixed control of sound Not interested in other home automation options, like lighting, blinds, or thermostat, etc. the dealer has quote (summarized for brevity): EA3 and an audio matrix Couple network switches 15 keypad zigbee extenders a host of additional nicnacks like cables, etc. 3k to set it all up my questions: why do I need the keypads? They are firm that these are required to control the speakers throughout the house, that a zigbee mesh is required vs controlling the audio from my phone on my home WiFi . This triples the cost of the equipment and install price. is control4 overkill for my basic audio matrix needs? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
msgreenf Posted November 8, 2017 Share Posted November 8, 2017 you don't need the keypads but what they are likely wanting to do is setup the keypads for audio control and source selection. Getting your phone out is not always the most convenient. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elvis Posted November 8, 2017 Share Posted November 8, 2017 If this really is for Home Audio only, it is way overkill. If you are going to use it to control your home theater audio AND video, not so much overkill, but your bullet list doesn't add up, so I won't comment further. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
C4 User Posted November 8, 2017 Share Posted November 8, 2017 C4 does give you very nice control of your home audio, but i agree it is overkill if that is all you want, unless full integration is more important to you than the cost - so a personal decision. I have AudioControl matrix amps (if you want high quality amps, you will not be disappointed with these) in my system - which eliminates the need for an audio matrix. I ran my home audio system (16 zones) for about 4 months before installing C4. It worked good enough for me but not for the family, but i did have to use multiple apps to properly configure the system. C4 integration really brings it all together very nicely and family is able to easily control the system on their iPhones, iPads and MacBooks from the C4 app. Keypads are not necessary unless you want an EASY BUTTON in each room to mute, control volume or select music source. So maybe put one keypad each in heavy traffic rooms. My recommendation would be to install a touch panel in a convenient central location for controlling the audio and eliminate the keypads (unless you decide you want to add lighting, shades, etc to the system). Then you will want keypads in the rooms with more automation. My input for what its worth. Good luck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alanchow Posted November 8, 2017 Share Posted November 8, 2017 Just get VSSL A.6 - https://vssl.com/ 6 zones of matrixed amplified audio with built in Apple Airplay, Spotify Connect and Google Cast. You'll setup as follows 3 zones will be through the amplified outputs on the amp 4th zone will be through the BUS output to your receiver in the home theater room. If you want to add in control later on you can add in an EA-1 SR Bundle to your home theater to control the AV equipment in there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elvis Posted November 8, 2017 Share Posted November 8, 2017 4 minutes ago, alanchow said: Just get VSSL A.6 - https://vssl.com/ This would get my vote hands down. Even if you went to Control4 later, Alan can set you up with great integration. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tokead Posted November 9, 2017 Share Posted November 9, 2017 Building a new home and have a simple home audio requirement. Need some help sorting through dealers quote and suggestions i have 4 sources, including the desire to use my iPhone for Apple Music streams and for content like audio books, etc. i have 4 rooms/zones, one of which I want to double as a home theater room. i want to control all this with my iPhone. would like matrixed control of sound Not interested in other home automation options, like lighting, blinds, or thermostat, etc. the dealer has quote (summarized for brevity): EA3 and an audio matrix Couple network switches 15 keypad zigbee extenders a host of additional nicnacks like cables, etc. 3k to set it all up my questions: why do I need the keypads? They are firm that these are required to control the speakers throughout the house, that a zigbee mesh is required vs controlling the audio from my phone on my home WiFi . This triples the cost of the equipment and install price. is control4 overkill for my basic audio matrix needs? I've got a C4 8 zone matrix amp and speakers points and home theatre. None is it is controlled by switches. I use my phone or remotes. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gregf Posted November 9, 2017 Author Share Posted November 9, 2017 Thanks everyone, great suggestion on vssl.com. I will reach out. To clarify, and sorry for the misprint. The dealer was not suggesting keypads in all cases, but 10 “dimmers for light control and zigbee network extensions” and 5 “Aux keypads used for 3 way lighting”. As mentioned and explicitly stated to the dealer, I have no intention of controlling lights, only audio through 4 zones, but they say these dimmers and keypads are required. Here are their comments: The reason the lighting is in the order is because the “brain” produces a wireless signal that your remote/phone app can communicate over. Just like Wifi that signal does not cover the entire house without help. The light switches are used not only the give you automation control over your lights, but the switches also act as a “repeater” for the Control4 signal to make sure that no matter where you are in your house your command will reach the “brain” in the Great room. I added light switches to the order to insure that no matter where you are in the house your command will reach the command center (controller) and everything will work seamlessly. By removing the light switches, you are opening up yourself to a system that does not function the way you want. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alanchow Posted November 10, 2017 Share Posted November 10, 2017 27 minutes ago, Gregf said: Thanks everyone, great suggestion on vssl.com. I will reach out. To clarify, and sorry for the misprint. The dealer was not suggesting keypads in all cases, but 10 “dimmers for light control and zigbee network extensions” and 5 “Aux keypads used for 3 way lighting”. As mentioned and explicitly stated to the dealer, I have no intention of controlling lights, only audio through 4 zones, but they say these dimmers and keypads are required. Here are their comments: The reason the lighting is in the order is because the “brain” produces a wireless signal that your remote/phone app can communicate over. Just like Wifi that signal does not cover the entire house without help. The light switches are used not only the give you automation control over your lights, but the switches also act as a “repeater” for the Control4 signal to make sure that no matter where you are in your house your command will reach the “brain” in the Great room. I added light switches to the order to insure that no matter where you are in the house your command will reach the command center (controller) and everything will work seamlessly. By removing the light switches, you are opening up yourself to a system that does not function the way you want. This is correct if you want to roam around your home with the SR-260 remote control. If however you want to only use the remote in your home theater then you will not need any repeater products (unless your Control4 controller is placed elsewhere). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wappinghigh Posted November 20, 2017 Share Posted November 20, 2017 You can have my entire system of multiple controllers, remotes, touchscreens, Sonos ZP's etc (I paid over 30K for in 2008 dollars..like 10 times your budget) for $99.99 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wappinghigh Posted November 20, 2017 Share Posted November 20, 2017 On 09/11/2017 at 9:57 AM, alanchow said: Just get VSSL A.6 - https://vssl.com/ 6 zones of matrixed amplified audio with built in Apple Airplay, Spotify Connect and Google Cast. You'll setup as follows 3 zones will be through the amplified outputs on the amp 4th zone will be through the BUS output to your receiver in the home theater room. If you want to add in control later on you can add in an EA-1 SR Bundle to your home theater to control the AV equipment in there. Yep what he says. Take his advice he is awesome. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zaphod Posted November 20, 2017 Share Posted November 20, 2017 Where do you buy the VSSL amps? I could only find an online shop in Ireland that has them for about 3400 euros. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SMHarman Posted November 20, 2017 Share Posted November 20, 2017 Thanks everyone, great suggestion on vssl.com. I will reach out. To clarify, and sorry for the misprint. The dealer was not suggesting keypads in all cases, but 10 “dimmers for light control and zigbee network extensions” and 5 “Aux keypads used for 3 way lighting”. As mentioned and explicitly stated to the dealer, I have no intention of controlling lights, only audio through 4 zones, but they say these dimmers and keypads are required. Here are their comments:The reason the lighting is in the order is because the “brain” produces a wireless signal that your remote/phone app can communicate over. Just like Wifi that signal does not cover the entire house without help. The light switches are used not only the give you automation control over your lights, but the switches also act as a “repeater” for the Control4 signal to make sure that no matter where you are in your house your command will reach the “brain” in the Great room.I added light switches to the order to insure that no matter where you are in the house your command will reach the command center (controller) and everything will work seamlessly.By removing the light switches, you are opening up yourself to a system that does not function the way you want. This is correct if you want to roam around your home with the SR-260 remote control. If however you want to only use the remote in your home theater then you will not need any repeater products (unless your Control4 controller is placed elsewhere).Your phone / ipad and even the control4 tablets use WiFi. No keypads needed to make that music work needed.AS Alan points out The SR260 remote uses zigbee, so to get full home use of the remote wand you need these (or zigbee extenders) . Your use case as described does not need these but be aware others in your home may want hard button not app control. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alanchow Posted November 21, 2017 Share Posted November 21, 2017 On 21/11/2017 at 6:07 AM, zaphod said: Where do you buy the VSSL amps? I could only find an online shop in Ireland that has them for about 3400 euros. The VSSL A.6 can be purchased through VSSL dealers. Since they are a sister company of TruAudio it means most TruAudio dealers stock or have access to it. Alternatively if you can't find one let me know your contact details and i'll get a VSSL rep to contact you directly to work with you to find your closest dealer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zaphod Posted November 21, 2017 Share Posted November 21, 2017 Thanks - I was interested in finding out more but I am happy with what I have for now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LollerAgent Posted March 13, 2018 Share Posted March 13, 2018 I'm curious what keypads your dealer was recommending for audio control? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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