Whole House Music Systems

One of the most enjoyable things we provide for our customers is a whole-house music system. Being able to distribute your music from one central location to multiple speakers located in different rooms eliminates the need for many separate stereo systems and offers a convenient way to manage a growing library of music. At the press of a button you can hear your favorite CDs, Ipod, preset radio and satellite music stations, or even music from a playlist on you networked PCin any room of your house just as if you were standing in front of the family room stereo.                                                                                                                                     

In addition to being convenient to use, a whole-house music system can help make any occasion seem much more special. For example, during a casual get-together with friends, the system could play a compilation of '80s tunes. When your guests leave, it could switch over to classical music. Even cleaning and cooking seem more enjoyable when accompanied by music.                                                                                                                              

Also appealing is the fact that you can access and control several music sources and play them simultaneously in different rooms. For example, while you relax to a few jazz CDs in the master bedroom, your kids can still get the system to play their favorite rock station in the rec room.                                                                                                                                                             

It's hard to say where you might want to listen to music, especially if your home has yet to be built. But this is a decision that is best when made early on. For one thing, running the necessary cables is easier and more economical before a home is finished.                                                                                                                                  

A few areas we recommend are the family room, dining room, kitchen and living room. These are the areas where you are most likely to entertain, so having music in these locations will be important. The master bedroom and bath are more private and isolated, but if you enjoy music, your certainly going to want to hear it in these places as well. What could be better than listening to your favorite tune while taking a long, hot shower?                                                                                                                                

The inside of your house is not the only place you should wire for music. If you plan on spending a lot of time outdoors, be sure the whole-house music system can reach the decks, gardens, patios and swimming pool as well.                                                                                                                                  

In addition to deciding where you want to be able to hear music, you also need to consider the level of control you expect from each keypad. If you plan to use the system mainly for background music, a simple keypad with just a few main buttons should provide just the right amount of control. However, if you are serious about music, you might want to be able to see the titles of each disc and each song that is loaded in your Ipod or audio hard drive. In this case, a more sophisticated keypad with a built-in screen would be a better choice.

Important questions to ask yourself before you select a system

• How many locations (both indoors and outdoors) do you want music to be routed to?
• How many people are likely to listen to different sources at the same time?
• Is it possible that your family will be happy listening to the same music at the same time?
• Will you listen to music in the background while you are working around the house, or will you sit down specifically to listen?
• What kind of controls do you want in each room?