Niles SS-6

Very simple to install and use with great benefits .

Pros: Easy and simple to use product that works wonders for my home theater system!

Cons: None!

If you have elected wired technology for your home sound system, this component is required. It allows you to connect multiple speakers to a single amplifier. Without it you will burn up the amplifier.

Pros: It works well

Cons: None

Did not know this type of product exhisted in today's market, but after speaking to Hunter who is the Crutchfield rep who answered all my questions. I'm glad I purchased the product!

Pros: Ease of use and made in America!

Cons: None

Works as promised. Easy to install. No fuss no muss. Sound quality is if it is not even there and original equipment is at optimum. Very happy with purchase.

Pros: Works flawlessly

Cons: None

I recently moved into a home with a whole-house audio system installed. This switch was exactly what we needed. I have five zones (this has six) so it couldn't have been more tailored for my needs. (I've noticed Niles has other models available, so there should be something for just about any in-home system). I especially like the protection feature...this is engaged when you're pushing output to three or more zones, to avoid frying the amp. (Not needed when using only one or two zones, but I leave it on anyway). If you read the other reviews you'll notice a lot of comments about the speaker connections being difficult to open/close. This wasn't a big negative for me, but when I was setting it up I could easily see why those comments were made. Opening and closing them IS a bit hard on the fingertips, but I figured you only set it up once in a great while so not a big deal. Overall very solid product--good sound, reasonably simle setup, attractive case, and the preprinted labels for the output zones are a nice touch (beats having to hand write all those). Would definitely recommend this as a low-cost way to feed your whole house audio system.

Pros: Price, amp protection logic, appearance

Cons: Balky speaker connections

Using it in a whole house application. Does the job well for what I'm using it for. The connections for the individual speaker wires are difficult to close. Once connected it's fine but initial set up is for folks with tiny fingers.

Pros: Does the job.

Cons: Wire connections are difficult to lock.

I recently moved into a home that has ceiling-mounted speakers throughout, with volume controls in the various rooms/zones. This was my first experience with a multiple-zone speaker system, and my receiver didn't have built-in multi-zone support, so I purchased this unit to control the five zones. I opted for the Niles SS-6 over some less expensive units primarily for aesthetic reasons, and this controller does look great. It also works perfectly in controlling the audio to the different zones, as you'd expect. My one complaint -- and I would have taken off just a half-star for this, if that were an option -- is that I found the speaker connections on the back of the unit to be extremely difficult to open and close. It always felt like I was going to force them to a breaking point, although none of them broke. By the time I was done making the 20 connections (10 speakers, right and left for each) my hands and fingers were pretty sore. I also tried using a screwdriver to flip up the connectors but even that seemed more difficult than it should have. Obviously once the speakers are connected you don't have to go through that again, so it's not a huge issue overall but something to be prepared for.

Pros: Easy operation, controls speakers, looks good, included zone-name stickers are helpful.

Cons: Stiff speaker connectors.

Great Option at a great price

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The Niles SS-6 worked perfectly for my needs. It's very easy to hook up. It connected my speakers in several different rooms (which can be played separately or simultaneously). A great solution for my system since I didn't want to add a separate powered amplifier (someone in a store tried to convince me I needed an expensive one). I don't have a super high-end receiver, but the sound is still great. This model is good if you have volume controls in each room (otherwise, get the model with volume controls on the unit itself). The customer service rep from Crutchfield was very helpful in selecting this. Great price, delivery, and service.

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The Niles SS-6 works as advertised. I was able to safely and easily hook up 5 pairs of in-ceiling speakers throughout the downstairs of my house (I'm saving the 6th speaker hook up for outside on the deck this Spring!). It's great to have the option of turning speakers on/off in each room without having to worry about overloading my amplifier. One last thing, since this is Crutchfield, a customer representative was able to look up the specs on my older receiver to ensure compatibility and give me the recommended setup within minutes. Crutchfield is top-notch when it comes to service.

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Small, compact size. Easy set-up, "plug & play" that I use every day. I have 6 wired speakers to the outside of the house, it adds another dimension to entertaining around the pool.

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