Home Cinema with Multiple set of Speakers

[pgh13]

I know some audio amplifiers come with the option of switching 2 pairs of speakers on or off (or both pairs), but does anyone know of a similar facility for cinema systems? A mate has just renovated his house and put in 2 sets of 4 speakers but doesn't necessarily want all 8 speakers blasting at once. Any ideas?
Thanks

 

[Nelbert]

Could do with a little more info. Does he already have a receiver? What's he trying to do with 8 speakers as there is no commonly used 8 speaker surround system 5.1,6.1,7.1,9.1,10/12.2 are the more common although there is now 22.2 to go with ultra hd

Some 7.1 and higher receivers have the option to use the extra channels above 5.1 as an alternative output for either stereo or multiroom listening and then have 5.1 in the main room.

If all 8 are in the same room then just set the receiver to decode in a mode which doesn't use all the speakers. I have 7.1, but if I tell the amp to decode in 5.1 then 2 of the speakers aren't used. For CDs (Sonos) use it only plays back in stereo and 5 speakers don't get used.

One option could be a multi speaker switch, that allows multiple amp to speaker connections. If all 8 speakers are to connect to the same receiver then he needs to check the ohm value on the speakers and make sure that when wiring them up he doesn't drop below the receiver ratings. Some receivers will only drive 6-8 ohms per channel and dropping below that can cause protection shutdown on the receiver. If 2 speakers with the same rating are wired to the same channel then half the ohms will be seen at the receiver. ie 2 x 8 ohms in one channel will make the receiver see 4 ohms.

 

[pgh13]

Thanks for the comments..... It's a kitchen/diner type space. He's put the speakers in the (new) ceilings. He's put the 'front' L + R either side of the screen - so far so good. Then he's put the 'rear' speakers further away (but not far enough) from the screen and in line with the 'front' ones. He's then repeated that in the kitchen area with the speakers aligned along the length of the room so, because the kitchen area is narrower, that's why the F and Rs are too close in the viewing area. It's not that big a space so the extra speakers aren't really necessary.

You said "Some 7.1 and higher receivers have the option to use the extra channels above 5.1 as an alternative output for either stereo or multiroom listening and then have 5.1 in the main room." which may be the way to go.

I appreciate what you're saying about impedence. I'm always a bit wary if I have to parallel up speakers, but on less sophisticated kit have got away with it on the basis of 'they won't have it that loud!'

 

[Nelbert]

I have a Denon 1910 which is a 7.1 receiver. It allows for 2 of the surround speaker outputs to be used as a Zone 2 L+R pair, which then leaves 5.1 for Zone 1.

I'm sure similar receivers from Onkyo, Pioneer, Yamaha will do the same. Whether it's worth the investment is another matter. Expect £400+ unless you can find one of last years models being sold off.

An alternative would be having a stereo amp in the kitchen and using a line out from the main room. While I've never used them, I have considered using an in-wall amp. Keene Electronics do some which fit in a double socket sized hole. Obviously they won't give the same quality of sound as a receiver, but if it's for background then it may be ok. They have one which is just an amp and another which is amp/tuner/mp3 with volume controls.