Non-hi-fi Multi-room audio.
Non-hi-fi Multi-room audio systems are low quality multi-room audio systems that provide
basic multi-room audio features but poor sound quality. Such non-hi-fi multi-room audio
systems usually have all their room amplifiers in one location, sometimes inside one
shared case, with long speaker cables radiating out to distant multi-room
speakers. They may also use old-style rotary analog volume controls on wall
plates in the remote rooms wired between the amplifier and the speakers that seriously
degrade audio reproduction quality. It does not matter how well known or reputable an
audio manufacturer is, this type of non-hi-fi multi-room audio system is inherently not
cable of quality audio reproduction for basic technical reasons.
Non-hi-fi Multi-room audio systems are the most common type of
multi-room systems because they are easy and inexpensive for manufacturers to design
and manufacture. Also, store salespeople and electricians require little technical
knowledge to "design", sell and install them. Home owners usually don't discover
how poor non-hi-fi multi-room audio systems actually sound until they listen to them in
their own home, or they hear a quality multi-room hi-fi system (see below) in someone
else's home.
Multi-room audio hi-fi.
Hi-fi (Hi-Fidelity) multi-room audio is a delight to listen to. It differs from multi-room
audio systems in that every aspect of its design contributes to delivering more enjoyable
audio reproduction in every room. A well engineered multi-room hi-fi system does not
necessarily involve installing expensive equipment available in every room. It is instead
about engineering a cost effective audio system that provides much better value for money
by delivering enjoyable hi-fi multi-room audio through your home.
For example, even in a steamy bathroom with exhaust fan noise, a
properly designed multi-room hi-fi system will deliver surprisingly enjoyable reproduction
using moderately priced (moisture resistant) speakers and amplifiers. The
quality, maximum power level and cost of equipment would increases as you go from
bathroom to dining room, to bedroom, to study, to lounge, reaching truly delightful levels
in your home theatre or stereo listening room.
To realise a delightful multi-room audio hi-fi system in your
home each aspect of your audio system needs to be carefully engineered with audio
expertise to produce an enjoyable standard of musical audio reproduction. To ensure you
have the opportunity to enjoy genuine hi-fi multi-room audio in your home, explore your
options well before plaster goes on during construction. This way the required cable types
and configurations, and other multi-room hi-fi equipment, may be installed while wiring
access is available.
