A whole house audio system is the best way to distribute your music entertainment from multiple audio source components to speakers in multiple listening areas, or zones, located throughout your home and even outside. (If you want to distribute video in addition to audio, check out Channel Vision's 4-source, 6-zone A/V distribution system.)

Possible audio sources could include your CD player, iPod/iPhone or MP3 player, Sirius Radio, or even audio from your video game console, or Blu-ray Disc or DVD player.

Speakers, also purchased separately unless specifically mentioned otherwise, can be any combination of in-ceiling speakers, in-wall speakers, "conventional" floor standing or bookshelf speakers, or even outdoor speakers.

At the heart of most whole house audio systems (an exception is NuVo's Renovia retrofit system pictured to the right) is an audio distribution amplifier which typically has enough power to deliver stereo audio to about four to six zones. Multiple amplifiers are used together if your number of zones will number in the double digits.

You will need to run both Cat 5 cable and in-wall rated speaker wire from the amplifier (or Allport hub) to each of your listening zones.

Whole house audio systems also typically include keypads with IR sensors for some or all of the independent listening zones that allow you complete system control and simple operation via the control panel or remote control.

Hard-wired whole house audio systems like most of those featured on this website are best installed in new construction by qualified professionals.

It's much easier to run all the necessary wiring before the walls and ceiling are in place, so it's never too early to plan out your entire whole house audio (video) system.

For your own safety and to ensure that any wiring meets your local electrical codes, it is recommended that pre-wiring and installation of your audio distribution system be performed by a qualified contractor.

NuVo's Renovia System Uses
Existing Power Lines Instead
of Cat5 Cable + Speaker Wire