Multi-room audio: music throughout the home

What a zone is

A zone is a space that plays independently: living room, kitchen, bedroom, bathroom, terrace. Each zone has its own volume and can play a different source or be grouped with others.

Two ways to do it

• Built-in speakers with central amplification: ceiling or in-wall speakers, cabled back to a multi-zone amplifier in the rack. Invisible, no equipment on show, and the best-looking result. They need conduits and cable, so they suit new builds and renovations.
• Networked wireless speakers: stand-alone units connected by WiFi or cable. No building work, and you can add room by room.

They can be combined: built-in in the living room, kitchen and bathrooms, wireless where the cable didn't reach.

Sound sources

• Music streaming services and internet radio.
• Your own library, on a NAS.
• The TV, so the living room plays through the ceiling speakers.
• Your phone, via AirPlay, Chromecast or Bluetooth, depending on the equipment.

The network matters

Networked audio is demanding on WiFi: drop-outs and sync problems are usually a coverage issue. Amplifiers and fixed units should be wired, and WiFi needs to reach every room properly.

Integration with home automation

• A wall switch to turn on, change station and adjust volume.
• Scenes: "good morning" with soft music in the bathroom and kitchen; "leaving home" that turns everything off.
• The doorbell or an alert plays through the speakers and the music dips.

Bathrooms and outdoors

Bathrooms, porches and terraces use speakers built for humidity. Outdoors, it's best to aim sound at the area itself and limit volume by time of day, out of consideration for neighbours.

What to plan for during the build

• Conduit and speaker cable from each zone to the rack.
• Speaker positions coordinated with the lighting and suspended ceiling.
• Space and ventilation in the rack for the amplifiers.
• A network outlet by the TV.

Common mistakes

• A single speaker for a large room.
• Speakers above the bedhead or too close to a party wall.
• Relying on WiFi for everything without checking coverage.