Audio in three rooms using two receivers

Adding a second receiver to your system can expand your multi-room options in several different ways. A two-receiver system not only lets you send music to more areas of your house, but it also always lets you enjoy full home theater sound in your main room while sending a different audio source to both of your other listening rooms.

"What kinds of receivers do I need?"
The first receiver will live in your main A/V room, connected to your audio sources, such as a CD player or music server, and powering your home theater speakers. This model needs to have a set of preamp-level (or line-level) outputs so that it can send a non-amplified audio signal to your second receiver.

Your second receiver is the one that will power your speakers in your second and third rooms, using its "A" and "B" speaker outputs. It receives audio information from your home theater receiver's preamp-level outputs — you can simply connect a standard set of stereo RCA cables to one of the second receiver's audio inputs. This receiver doesn't need to be a home theater model — in most cases, a relatively inexpensive stereo receiver can handle the job quite capably. You may even have an old stereo receiver that you can use for the job.

Don't forget: You'll need two pairs of speakers with that second receiver or amplifier — one pair for each listening room.

Diagram C — Audio for three rooms using a second (stereo) receiver (main-room home theater system not pictured)

Pros:

• Simple and affordable.
• You'll always be able enjoy surround sound with your main system and play music in your second and third rooms simultaneously.
• This kind of system can easily be expanded. For example, if your main receiver has two preamp outputs, you could set up a second stereo receiver for four total rooms.

Cons:

• Most stereo receivers can't send different audio sources to your second and third listening rooms. (If you find one that can output two audio signals to its "A" and "B" outputs, you'll still need to hook up at least one source directly to the stereo receiver, since your home theater receiver can only provide one source at a time.)

Tips:

• Installing in-wall volume controls in your additional rooms adds a lot of convenience — adjust the volume right there, instead of running back and forth from your main room.
• Your receiver must be designed to handle a 4-ohm load; both pairs of speakers must be 8-ohm, unless you use impedance-matching volume controls.
• The receiver must have parallel connections internally. Ask your Crutchfield Sales Advisor if the receiver you're planning to buy has series or parallel connections internally.