What do you think of when you hear "whole house (or distributed) audio?" And, along those lines, what will Transcend Home Theater provide?
Whole House Audio typically comes in two flavors: distributed sources and centralized sources. Sometimes it is a combination of the two, often when a there's "local" source that's only available in its own location.
Distributed Source Whole House Audio
Distributed Source Whole House Audio is generally the result of a desire or need to keep the current sources, and keep them in the current locations. Using existing sources eliminates the cost of new audio equipment, and the gear used for distribution can be relatively inexpensive, as well. There are also some limitations. It may get complicated or confusing if there are more than a few sources. You'll also either have to go to the source location to change the source's program, or plan on significant remote control capability. There's a good chance you'll need more remote control equipment than you would need with a centralized system. With well designed remote control programming, this complexity should be transparent.
Centralized Source Whole House Audio
Using a centralized source comes with its own advantages and disadvantages. Upgrading your current equipment allows you to select newer, higher capabilities. You can use digital distribution and control, including streaming audio and IP (Internet protocol) control. You can take advantage of a multi channel audio or multimedia server. This allows you to use the same source to provide different programs to different locations. And it's a short step to having distributed video as well as audio. But, it will cost more than keeping your old equipment. The new configuration will be more complex than before; however, if the programming of your remote control system is based on objectives rather than equipment, it should make it easier to use than ever.
Click here to learn about digital distribution and IP control.
What Can Transcend Home Theater Do for You?
First, we'll discuss the particulars of each room where you want distributed sound (or distributed video, but we'll go into that separately). What are the shapes and dimensions of the rooms? Is there carpeting? Are there many windows? Is this a "listening area," or a "background sound" area — in other words, do you plan on a serious audio presentation, or do you plan on other activities set to the morning traffic report? These and other factors make a difference to how we'll approach and design the audio configuration for that room.
Second, we'll recommend using in-wall, in-ceiling, free standing, or wall-mounted speakers based on what you've told us. We can also provide camouflaged and "invisible" speakers. We only offer speakers that we've investigated and found to have excellent audio characteristics. They'll have the correct sensitivity for your venue. If the sensitivity is too high, you may damage the speaker by overdriving it. If the sensitivity is too low you may damage the speaker when you turn up the amp to get decent volume. In rooms where the audio is primarily for background, monophonic and stereophonic delivery have strengths and weaknesses. Although we'll make and explain each of our recommendations, the decisions are yours to make.
Finally, we'll help establish the optimum price vs. performance for your speakers based on your budget and on each particular room.