Audio in 4-10 additional rooms using two receivers and a speaker selector

If you want to enjoy music in a number of rooms throughout your home, you can supplement a two-receiver system with additional gear that greatly extends your multi-room reach. The easiest and most affordable option is to add a speaker selector. Depending on the model you choose, this option can let you enjoy music in as many as ten additional rooms.

"What do I need?"
You can use the same types of receivers described on page 4, though you'll probably want a more powerful stereo receiver to ensure that you don't underpower (and potentially damage) your speakers (see the chart below). Next, you'll need to choose a speaker selector. You can find selectors capable of sending audio to as many as 10 pairs of speakers, though 4-6 pairs is more common.

Most speaker selectors include a built-in protection circuit that prevents your speakers from demanding too much power from your amp and possibly damaging it. When this protection circuit is on, some power, and thus volume, is lost. Some folks like to turn the protection circuit off when they only have one pair of speakers selected, in order to get bigger, louder sound. However, we recommend that you always leave it on to protect your amp.

The power delivered to speakers by a speaker selector varies depending on how many pairs are selected (with protection circuit engaged).

The chart above provides an example of how much power may be delivered to single and multiple sets of speakers when the selector's protection circuit is on. The numbers may surprise you, but bear in mind that 5 watts are plenty for listening at moderate volume in a relatively small room; if you'd like to be able to crank up the volume on occasion, or will be listening in medium-to-large rooms, you may want more power (possibly from a multi-room amplifier).

Diagram D — Audio for 4-10 rooms using a second (stereo) receiver and a speaker selector (main-room home theater system not pictured)

Pros:

• You'll always be able enjoy surround sound with your main system and play music in your additional zones simultaneously.
• The speaker on/off controls are centrally located — you don't have to go room to room to turn speakers on and off.
• You can deliver a lot of power to one room when you turn the other rooms off.
• If your home theater or stereo receiver has an extra set of preamp outputs, you can easily expand this system by connecting a second stereo receiver and speaker selector.

Cons:

• When more than two rooms are selected, you get limited power to each room.
• If anyone accidentally turns the speaker selector's protection circuit off, your amplifier and speakers may be damaged.
• With the exception of your main room, you can't listen to different sources in each area — the same music will play through all speakers.

Tips:

• Your secondary receiver or amp must be capable of driving a 4-ohm load.
• No speakers are connected to the "B" speaker outputs. If you hook speakers to the B outputs, your amplifier may distort and overheat.
• Installing in-wall volume controls in each listening area adds a lot of convenience — adjust the volume right there, instead of running back and forth from your main room.