Expert: Cleggsan - 7/28/2011

Question
QUESTION: Hi,

I want to connect 4 extra pairs of speakers (in other rooms) to a 7.1 system.
Research by this amateur suggests that (since I want to be able to run the other speakers without running the 7.1 speakers) I need another amplifier plus a speaker selector to drive the 4 pairs of other speakers (is that correct?).

I have    
Yamaha HTR-5063BL 7.1 Channel 630 Watt AV Receiver
(http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003CP0KGY/ref=wms_ohs_product_T2)
connected to Onkyo SKS-HT540 7.1 Channel Home Theater Speaker System
(http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000GU78Z4/ref=wms_ohs_product_T2) in a small room,
I am assuming that I can connect the Audio Out RCA jacks on the receiver to some amp to drive the additional 4 pairs of speakers.

I was leaning toward something like this for volume control on each of the four speaker pairs:
Niles SSVC4 4-Zone Speaker Selector With Volume Control, 100 watts per channel RMS; 200 watts peak $225 www.nilesaudio.com
(http://www.amazon.com/Niles-4-Zone-Speaker-Selector-Control/dp/tech-data/B00022L), do you have any better suggestion?

I have no idea how to decide on the amplifier that I need. The four pairs of speakers that I want to connect are 8" Polk Audio RC60i (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00006BMQT/ref=wms_ohs_product_T2, 8 ohms, peak power is 100 watts, in the ceiling of rooms in my house that are under 160 square feet) using 12 ga wire.
Occasionally I will want to crank it up but mostly it will be used at low to moderate listening levels.
Assuming that I want to max out the power rating of the selector, what is the best "bang for buck" amp that generates 200 watt/channel peak power?

I assume that the volume control on the receiver will not control the volume on the four pairs of speakers so I would like a volume control on the amp.

I would greatly appreciate advice:
- how to size the amp and perhaps even a suggestion for a specific one (under $500, preferably under $300
- whether you have a better idea for the speaker selector

ANSWER: I answered this already.  My recommendation was to feed a completely separate set of amplifiers and speakers with the optical feed line using a splitter so the second system has its own source from the multi-channel source.

It is not a good idea to hang extra speakers on an existing amplifier.  Further, using the separate amplifier provides you with great flexibility for the second or third system to operate independently or codependently with the main system.

For what you have described above you probably should consult with a system designer to make sure you are in compliance with building codes, impedance matching, wire runs and signal level matching.  Not a big job but you need some who can help you with the selection of the amplifier, its location, wire runs, etc.. If you are experienced in these matters then you can do it yourself but I suggest you at least have someone knowledgeable come into the home and scope out the physical and acoustic spaces; it will be a good investment in the long run.

All the best.



---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi, I apologize for the duplicate question. I was planning to feed a completely separate set of amplifiers and speakers (as you suggested) from the Audio Out jacks on the amplifier of the 7.1 system. Will that not work?

I don't see anything "optical" on the Yamaha HTR-5063BL 7.1 Channel 630 Watt AV Receiver (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003CP0KGY/ref=wms_ohs_product_T2)

Answer
Yes, it will if you are going to be using just the 5.1 audio settings.

Also, I note the Yamaha has several HDMI inputs which could be used to send signal to the second sound system as well.

But, the Yamaha does have optical inputs for sending the source audio (tv or dvd player) to the Yamaha for amplification.  That is where you would use the optical splitter.  The HDMI could also be used since you have that withe the Yamaha; you would need HDMI input on the second amplifier as well.

Wishing you well.