new build audio visual set up

andy060181

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Hi
Just discovered this forum. I'm having a new house built and am interested in having a custom audio/visual set up. I'm not particularly technical so won't be doing it myself. Anyone able to give me any idea on price, obviously I know it can vary greatly but I really have no idea. Also anyone in the Lincolnshire area specialise in installs?
Thanks
 
Hi,

As you stated it really depends on what essentially are your key requirments, you may have some aspects you would like from the start, and maybe some that are not so important, if done correctly and you implement the correct cabling infrastructure from the start you can pretty much do as much or as little as you want, at this stage and also in the future.

I have installed minimum systems ( 6 zones music, hd distribution to 4 main rooms, HD cctv and an iPad control system ) and large systems incorporating the same as above but 18 zones & cinema room with whole house lighting ranging from £8000 upto the £40k area.

It also depends on what budget you have set aside for the project, I can never stress enough get a dependable, well organised and future proof cabling infrastructure installed at 1st fix and take it from there, you will probably change your mind many times through the whole build process.

Carlos in the east mids
 
Hi Carlos

Thanks for the info.
Because of funds I think it will be pretty basic tbh. Was thinking cat 6 to multiple rooms and ceiling speakers in kitchen and lounge. I'm just not great on the tech side so am trying to find packages that will suit my needs but don't really wanna spend over 4k.
 
Start out defining what Sources you wish to cater for, what you want to achieve in each room and how you want to interact with the kit.

Joe
 
Thanks Joe.

I'll try and set out my ideas.

I will have 3 smart tv's located in living room, kitchen and garden room. I will probably only have 1 set top box, such as virgin or sky. I'd like to be able to watch on any of the tv's. Also thinking it makes sense to have cat 5 or cat6 upstairs also. Debating whether to also wire speaker cables to a few rooms but have also been looking at the sonos system. Not sure which would be best. I'd like to be able to access my library of movies and music from each of the tv's.
Any advice would be much appreciated.
 
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CAT6 - I would run x2 as a minimum to each TV point, that will allow you to distribute an HD signal using HDBT from a central Source(s) plus put the Smart TV's on your network.

SONOS - is brilliant for networked music and radio* though not so great for TV/Movies unless you plan to partner each TV with a PLAYBAR.

SONOS PLAYBAR - has an Optical Input which processes the signal without any delay, the other Zone Players with Line Input have a processing delay (not everyone finds it a problem - it would drive me nuts).

Joe

*Online radio - note that some broadcasts require you to use an FM or AM tuner due to rights issue's, I hit that problem if I'm wanting to listen to some of the football here in the Borders so keep an old AM/FM Tuner plugged to one of my Zone Players as a Line In Source.
 
Thanks again Joe.

I need to speak to the building company to see if something their electricians will do or if I need to sort myself. Would it work if I just got the electricians to run the cat6 from my dedicated point to each zone and nothing more than that. I'm unsure about funds and exactly what I want to include at the moment. Or is it a bit more complicated than that.
Thanks again.
 
unfortunately lots of builders wont run extra cables or if they will they charge a fortune.

Is it a mainstream house builder or one you have employed ?

If running Cat6 make sure if you use an electrician they know both what they are doing and use the correct cable (Cat6 Solid core - not CCA), also run at least one ideally two to each location you want now and ideally other rooms as easier to run now than later.

If you start by running Cat6 back to a central point it will be a good start
 
It's a company called truelove property based in Lincoln. To be honest I think I'd rather get a specialist as I want it doing right. If anyone knows of a reputable company in Lincolnshire that can provide a quote that'd be great.
Appreciate all the advice.
 
For the Cat6 cable rather than necessarily getting an AV specialist get someone who knows how to run network cable, may save you some money!!
 
If budgets allow i'd go Sonos for the music system but using Sonos Connect:Amps with ceiling speakers. We use the Kef Ci50 speakers that have the same look as LED downlighters.

Add the speaker cables (and speakers) now during build as well.

We usually run all speaker cables back to a central point so you can add more Sonos Connect:Amps as and when you want to add a zone, and in the meantime use a speaker selector/splitter to connect up all the speakers. When you get a new Sonos Connect:Amp for a zone just remove that set of speakers from the speaker selector and connect to the Sonos instead.

Seb
 
50r-50mm-full-range-ceiling-speaker-1968-p.jpg

Kef Ci50r downlighter speakers
 
So I could run all the speaker cables back to the main network hub.
So I need a separate sonos amp, at the hub, for each zone, i e. Kitchen, lounge etc?
 
Yes

Not initially you could just get one or two and use a speaker selector (very low cost) . Depends how many independent zones you need
 
Okay great. Sounds like as long as I get the cat6 and speaker cable ran efficiently I can customise the network in my own time. Takes a bit of pressure off. Better start saving.
 
Planning - now is the time to think through what you may want long term and put the required wiring and possibly conduit in place to slow the plan to take shape when budget allows.

Living Room - any thoughts on having a 5.1 or 7.1 sound system? If yes run suitable Loudspeaker, Subwoofer and Network (CAT6) cables from your Central cupboard. Now would also be a good time to plan for a Projector/Screen in addition to a TV if that were an option you would consider.

SONOS - as Seb says you can either wire for Installed speakers (In-ceiling or In-wall), or bookshelf type cabinets or simply add power points to allow you to add in a 'PLAY' style all-in-one Zone Player.

SONOS - ideally you want a separate Zone Player for each Zone to give you maximum flexibility in terms of music choice and volume adjustment. With a CONNECT:AMP you can run two pairs of speakers though without additional kit they will always play as loud as each other.

Installed speakers - plan carefully so they are not in inappropriate positions for when you want background rather than foreground music/radio. I'd be looking at 6" or preferably 8" drivers if not combining them with a Sub.

Power - don't forget to plan/specify suitable power points wherever you plan to install TV's etc

Joe
 
Thanks Joe

Surround sound is a must. I have literally no experience whatsoever with speaker systems. I'd love to have ceiling speakers in various rooms. Probably a really stupid question but if all the speaker cables run back to my main hub, what are they connecting to? A sonos device?
 
Yes they would connect to a Sonos Connect:Amp (s)

Though if you cant afford multiple Sonos Connect :Amps immediately then use speaker selectors/splitters so one Sonos Connect Amp can drive multiple speakers in multiple rooms.
 
'Surround sound is a must' - probably about now it would be best to either call in a local pro who can design and specify a wiring plan (based on your future requirements), alternatively we are always happy to look over your floor plans and go through your requirements and work with you on the wiring plan.

Joe

PS We don't have anyone in Lincoln we deal with on a regular basis but may have someone about an hour away.
 
Floor Plans attached, I hope. We are actually swapping the kitchen and living room, so kitchen will run through to the garden room.
 

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I am more than happy to pop over to Lincolnshire to have a no obligation chat if it would help


Seb
 
That sounds great seb. I have a meeting with the builders on the 12th May to discuss layout etc. I will mention to them my plans and make sure there's no issue with me contracting my own networker. Where are you based?
 

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