Multi-Room Audio

Thanks to the power of multi-room audio system technology, curating a customized listening experience at home is within reach. Imagine enjoying your favorite tunes while working in a home office and continuing to listen uninterrupted while taking a break on the patio. That’s right. Your favorite sounds, from soundtracks to podcasts, can magically follow you from room to room, even outdoors, in perfect clarity without headphones or having to blast speakers in one room to hear in the next.

Even better, you can switch the listening experience on demand from your phone or tablet—even tailor sounds for different areas of the space. Enjoying sounds at home has never been so customized, effortless, and accessible. How does it work? Let’s get to know multi-room audio systems.

Whole-house multi-room audio systems are a network of connected devices, including speakers, amps, soundbars, or AV receivers, that enable seamless listening around a home. The system is organized (i.e., WiFi connected or wired) via a central system controllable on a smartphone or tablet. The idea of multi room audio solutions isn’t new; however, modern wireless options are easier to set up and more affordable than the OG wired systems (which are still a popular and fantastic option). A multi room audio setup offers complete home audio control at your fingertips.

A multi-room audio solution leverages networked multi room audio speakers, a centralized control system, and a wired or wireless home network to deliver seamless and flexible audio playback throughout the home. The “multi room” aspect involves grouping speakers into zones within a home (e.g., different rooms or areas) that are programmed by the central system or multi room audio monitor to play selected music and other streaming media in specific areas or across all zones, distributing audio throughout the house on demand.

If you want comprehensive control of your home’s listening experience, a multi room home sound system delivers. Multi-room audio offers an immersive and tailored listening experience, centrally controlled for seamless, tailored distribution. The benefits of multi room audio are many, including convenience, quality, flexibility, and scalability.

Unified Control

The system’s multi room audio monitor or central interface for audio control offers seamless command over the home’s speakers and sound distribution, allowing users to tailor listening experiences within specified zones inside and outside the house.

Convenience

Forget cranking up a speaker volume to hear sounds from room to room. Multi room audio software offers comprehensive control over sound selection and distribution using a smart device for touch-to-play and programming convenience.

Quality

Most of today’s multi-room audio systems support CD-quality music or better. However, the number of systems supporting high-resolution audio streaming continues to rise, making high-fi sound quality more of a norm than ever before.

Flexibility

One of the greatest benefits of multi room audio solutions is the flexibility they provide to curate a highly customized listening experience. Single-point control allows users to specify not only the sounds but also when and where they play throughout the home.

Scalability

Wireless multi-room audio systems offer the most versatility in terms of scalability. With a system consisting of wireless multi-room audio speakers, increasing sound distribution capabilities is as easy as activating additional speakers, wherever and whenever you prefer.

In the not-so-distant past, installing a multi room audio setup required deep pockets and professional installers to wire the system through the home. However, installing a multi room audio system is much simpler and more affordable today. In fact, a basic, budget multi room audio system only requires a WiFi connection, a smart device, and wireless multi room audio speakers to get started. However, a more customized setup may require additional devices.

Depending on your audio and setup preferences, these components can integrate into a multi-room audio installation to create a customized sound experience.

Wireless Speakers

Wireless speakers can connect to home Wi-Fi networks, allowing synchronization and music control through an app. Control of these wireless speakers through a multi room audio monitor enables users to create zones or groups for customized music playback. Popular brands of multi room audio speakers include Sonos, Bose SoundTouch, and Google Nest.

Mini Systems

Mini systems are WiFi-ready, compact audio systems designed to provide high-quality sound. They typically combine multiple audio components (e.g., amplifier, receiver, and various input sources) into a single, integrated unit complete with speakers. These systems can help enhance sound quality in multi room audio systems.

AV Receivers

Audio/Video Receivers (AVR) serve as the central hub of a home theater, managing both the visual and audio aspects of entertainment. Today’s multi room audio receivers seamlessly connect and control multiple devices, including cable TV, Blu-Ray or DVD players, CD players, turntables, gaming consoles, and streaming services.

Network Audio Players

Network audio players are a central element of many hi-fi systems. These dedicated devices play digital audio files from a variety of network sources (e.g., music streaming services, computers, or other networked devices) in CD-quality sound or better. Network audio players connect via WiFi, making them compatible with most multi room audio installations.

Soundbars

These are compact speaker systems designed to enhance the sound quality of televisions and other media devices. They include multiple integrated speakers within a slim profile to produce stereo or surround sound effects. Most soundbars are Wifi enabled, which allows easy integration into multi-room audio systems.

Both wired and wireless multi-room audio systems deliver the same result—fully controllable, distributed audio in multiple spaces. How do you decide? We recommend weighing the pros and cons of each to determine which solution is the best home multi-room sound system for your audio needs.

Let’s start with wired multi room audio – the more complicated option. As the name indicates, this solution involves hard-wiring speakers throughout the home via, for example, an ethernet network. This makes installation more complex and often more expensive if the house isn’t pre-wired (compared to wireless multi room sound systems). However, wired systems tend to have better stability than wireless, as there is less strain on WiFi usage.

Sound quality is the real advantage of wired multi room audio solutions. Instead of individual wireless speakers placed in different rooms, hardwired speakers are in sets of two, creating a more encompassing multi-room audio sound experience. Discreet wired speakers can also be connected to an amplifier, creating more powerful multi room sound than a wireless speaker with an integrated amplifier.

Now, let’s examine a multi room audio system wireless setup. These systems are the clear winners for ease of installation, flexibility, and overall cost. The speakers in a wireless multi room sound system can be easily moved around, depending on your sound preference. Also, today’s wireless speakers offer excellent sound quality. However, the cost is the best advantage of wireless multi room audio systems. Not only is the installation free and straightforward if you DIY, but wireless speakers are typically priced lower than hardwired speakers.

With so many multi-room audio options available, figuring out where to start can take time. Whether you are ready to integrate one brand’s multi room audio ecosystem or mix and match different brand components, a good first step is getting to know a few industry leaders before deciding which system and components best meet your whole-home needs.

SONOS

Sonos is well-known in the multi room audio space, offering a wide range of wireless speakers, soundbars, subwoofers, and amplifiers. Known for its user-friendly interface for speaker control and sound management, Sonos supports multiple streaming services, voice assistants, and a wide range of connected products. A dedicated network option (SonosNet) is also available if the WiFi service is spotty or overloaded.

Sony Music Center

Sony’s app-based platform, Sony Music Center, is an integrated system and comprehensive multi room audio solution. Sony Music Center supports popular streaming services (e.g., Spotify, Amazon Music, Deezer, TuneIn, and local music libraries) and integrates with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. Sony’s reputation for high-quality audio products ensures a premium listening experience, with support for high-resolution audio files.

Audio Pro

The Audio Pro multi-room setup is a user-friendly wireless option praised for its stylish design. It offers a range of Bluetooth and WiFi-ready speakers in various sizes and styles to suit different rooms and audio needs. Aside from wireless speakers, the Audio Pro multi-room ecosystem also features subwoofers for enhanced bass performance. Audio Pro’s dedicated control app supports various music streaming services and internet radio stations and is compatible with Amazon Alexa for voice control.

Although today’s generation of multi room audio software and components makes setup easier than ever, some still prefer professional installation to ensure flawless setup and superior performance. Professional AV installers, like MIR Audio Video, have all the answers to your multi room sound questions.

LA-based MIR Audio Video’s top-quality residential AV services utilize the latest installation techniques of industry-leading brands to deliver impressive, seamless, and fully immersive multi room audio solutions, wired or wireless. Our customer-first approach considers everything about your home and sound streaming preferences to create and build an ideal listening experience with honest and transparent communication and service.

What About Multi-Room With Voice Control?

Most multi room audio systems are compatible with voice assistants, such as Amazon Alexa, Apple Siri, and Google Assistant, providing seamless, hands-free voice control over whole-home audio. However, compatibility varies by brand, so smart home assistant preferences often guide the selection of multi-room audio software, speakers, and other components. The AV experts at MIR Audio Video stay obsessively up-to-date with the latest audio technology and emerging features to confidently guide you through all options, complete with thorough operational training post-setup.

Whole-house multi-room audio systems are more accessible than ever. With the vast array of solutions available, there’s a system for every customer, from the budget-conscious to the sound-obsessed. If you live in or near Los Angeles and are ready to create the ultimate, customized listening experience at home, MIR Audio Video can help turn your audio dreams into reality.