07-13-2006, 10:32 PM
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Howie Reyer
Member
Join Date: Jul 2006
Local Time: 07:15 AM
Local Date: 10-12-2008
Posts: 3
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What would you do? AKA, Please help!
I'm interested in a ton of suggestions and advice for an outdoor patio speaker system. I am looking for the following layout:
A multi-source system with multi-zone capability. I have at least 3 or 4 sources that I could connect. Two of the zones would be outside: one on the deck and one by the pool. An additional zone would be for inside (I’ll get to that in a moment).
The deck is 30ft. x 15ft. The pool is partially surrounded by an extension of the deck that begins past the side of the house (almost like an L-shaped surround). The deck measures 17ft x 15ft. The remainder of the pool that extends beyond the deck adds another 100sq ft.
I’m not looking to blast the music – no rock concerts or anything. I also don’t need the music to play past the deck (we have a yard that extends another 30ft beyond the deck).
The only place in the house that would make sense to hook up the equipment would be in the basement where most of the sources are located. This would be the additional zone that I mentioned earlier. I do not have a receiver, but I have a surround system hooked up directly to the TV (Panasonic 60” LCD) (another dilemma in which I’m wondering if a multi-channel receiver for this would be beneficial). The only way that I could run the wires would be through the wall, up to the drop ceiling, run it against the joist, to the crawl space, out under the deck and then up through the deck and up the side of the house. I have very limited access to the wall directly behind the rear of the house (e.g., kitchen bulkhead, ceramic bathroom tiles, etc.) The run from the system to the first and second deck speakers would be approx. 40 ft. and 60 ft., respectively. The run to the first and second pool speakers from the source would be approx. 70 ft. and 90 ft., respectively.
So, I’ve looked at the Niles ZR-4630 as providing for the multi-source and multi-zone capability (I figured it can’t hurt to have additional zones in case I want to expand in the future).
I’ve also looked at the Niles SI-1230 as a multi-channel amp (12 channels).
And . . . I’ve also looked at the AP650 HD Cinema Patio Speakers (140W, 8 ohms).
At this point, I have no idea if this is the right direction, too much power, too little power, wouldn’t even work, etc. I also have to consider outdoor volume controls as well as remotes, etc. to switch sources while outside. The way my house is situated I’m not quite sure if I need to run CL3 wire then immediately switch to burial cable once I’m outside (or I can continue the CL3 run by encasing it in PVC).
I’m not on a tight budget, but don’t want to spend my life savings. As you can see, I am of no help to myself. I’ve managed to successfully make myself neurotic and I am passing on my dilemma to you . . . 
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