Compare Whole House Audio Systems

A whole house audio system is the best way to distribute music entertainment from multiple audio source components to speakers located in multiple listening areas, or zones, throughout your home and outside. The Breathe Audio, Channel Vision, MTX, and NuVo whole house audio systems featured on this website include in-ceiling speakers, but optional in-wall speakers and all-weather outdoor speakers can also be purchased separately.

At the heart of most whole house audio systems is an audio distribution amplifier, which requires that you run both Cat 5 cable and speaker wire from the amplifier to each of your listening zones. An exception to this is the MTX A-BUS 4-source, 4-zone system which requires just Cat 5 cable runs to each zone because it uses amplified volume controls, so you just need to run speaker wire from each volume control to their speakers.

If you want to distribute video in addition to audio, check out Channel Vision's 4-source, 6-zone system.

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

Hard-wired whole house audio systems like 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. To ensure that any wiring meets your local electrical codes, we recommend pre-wiring for your audio distribution system by a qualified contractor.

NuVo's Grand Concerto

NuVo Grand Concerto The NuVo NV-I8GMS Grand Concerto Kit pictured above combined with the NuVo NV-I8GXS Grand Concerto Expander Kit will allow you to set up 16 listening zones (12 powered zones, plus control for an additional 4 zones using external amplifiers) and 12 audio sources. Elegant glass-smooth, touch control OLED panels display play list, track, artist, album, genre, or station information. Built into each control panel is an IR receiver that blocks the adverse interference of plasma displays, sunlight, or fluorescent lighting.

Plug-and-play compatibility with smart source components keeps Grand Concerto on the leading edge of technology for years to come. A RS232 port permits 2-way communication between the Grand Concerto and home automation systems. Installation is simplified through the use of the Concerto Configurator software.

where to learn more about
whole house A/V systems:

Whole House Audio Technology
and Distribution Online Course

Wiring YOUR Home
For Distributed
Audio & Video DVD

Structured Wiring Design Manual
Includes Automated Systems