An Elevated Lifestyle with Whole House Audio: A Case Study

Thursday, 22 August 2024

How Thoughtful Design and Smart Technology Transformed Our Client’s Home Audio Experience

If you’re looking to bring amazing audio to every corner of your home, whole-house audio in Scottsdale, AZ is the way to go. Take a look at how we recently transformed a client’s vision for their home audio into reality, using a mix of technology and design to make their daily life sound incredible.

The Client’s Vision

Our client wanted a smooth audio experience that covered their whole home. They imagined speakers in every room and outside, plus surround sound in both the media and the great room, all controlled from a central spot. Since this was a retrofitted home with complex pre-wiring, we had our work cut out for us, but we were ready for the challenge.

Designing the Perfect Setup

First, we took a close look at the layout and design of the home. We decided to go with in-ceiling speakers for most rooms, placing them carefully away from corners and walls to ensure the best sound near the seating areas.

For the media and great room, we set up premium soundbars to cover the left, center, and right channels, along with in-ceiling rear speakers and in-wall subwoofers. Our goal was to keep things modern and convenient while delivering fantastic audio performance.

Equipment Selection

Picking the right equipment was key. We went with B&W in-ceiling speakers because they offer great sound quality and blend in nicely. For surround sound, we used Sony receivers and James soundbars to get the perfect mix of style and clarity.

Everything was tucked away in a closet-mounted rack to keep things neat. We also chose Control4 remotes and apps to make it easy for the client to control the system right from their phones and touchpads.

Wiring Challenges and Solutions

Since this was a retrofit project, the wiring had its share of challenges. Fortunately, our skilled team tackled it with ease. We used a star-wiring method to route all the cables back to the central closet where the equipment was kept. Because of our expertise and a talented drywall repair specialist, we made all the needed adjustments quickly and accurately.

Ensuring Consistent Sound Quality

To keep the sound quality consistent throughout the home, we used a matrix amplifier and the same model of speakers in most rooms. This let us calibrate each space individually, making sure every area had an even and high-quality listening experience.

The Role of Smart Home Technology

Smart home technology was vital for this setup. Since all the equipment was tucked away in a closet, Control4 was key for automating and managing the system. Our expert programmers made sure the TV, surround sound receiver, Blu-ray player, Apple TV, and whole-house amplification were all seamlessly integrated and easy to control from the same platform.

Acoustic Treatments

The client wanted to keep things clean and modern, so they opted out of extra acoustic treatments. Even though some acoustical adjustments could have made the sound even better, we respected their choice and focused on delivering superior audio that fit their design vision perfectly.

Ease of Use and Client Preferences

Truly understanding and listening to what the client wanted had a major impact on making this project a success. We tailored the system to be as simple or as complex as they wanted, making sure it was easy to use without piling on extra technology they didn’t need.

This whole house audio project shows how great design and smart technology can change the feel of a home. By tuning into what the client wanted and handling the retrofit challenges, we put together a system that hit all the right notes.

If you're thinking about adding a whole-house audio system, contact us at Audio Video Excellence. You can call at (480) 245-7500 or fill out our online form.