Articles and whitepapers

Making Sense of Hi-fi, Home Cinema and Multiroom Audio (2/1/2004)

By Stuart Russell

In the quest to build a home entertainment system to be proud of, the biggest challenge these days for the consumer relates to the bewildering choice of products and systems on the market. Do you buy separates, or a one-box solution? What audio formats do your products need to support? How many amplifiers and speakers will you need?

Twenty years ago, life was much simpler. Audio was king and the music enthusiast simply chose a turntable, pre-amplifier, amplification and loudspeakers to access the wonderful world of recorded music. The digital age and the explosive growth in popularity of the DVD-Video format have blurred the lines between audio and video, and we no longer feel the need to buy one system for each purpose. Manufacturers have mirrored this trend with talk of multimedia, home entertainment, accessibility and lifestyle issues. Even traditional music enthusiasts have had their world turned upside-down in the last 18 months with the advent of new multichannel audio formats, such as SACD and DVD-A. These are a direct result of DVD-Video and, like it or not, are rapidly taking over a Virgin Megastore or Tower Records near you.

So where to begin? Systems can essentially be grouped into three main categories, namely hi-fi, home cinema and Multiroom.

Hi-fi

Hi-fi is the category that we are most familiar with - single room systems comprising separate components offering audio-only playback of analogue or digital sources. The worldwide market for audio-only hi-fi products is still sizeable, and many manufacturers continue to develop this market through the application of new technology. After all, why should those who have spent a lifetime amassing a cherished collection of vinyl LPs be denied the opportunity to experience the performance benefits that new technologies make possible?

Single-room hi-fi comprising Linn Reference Monitoring System

Home cinema audio

Home cinema, by comparison, has been one of the fastest growing areas of the consumer electronics market in recent years. Consumer uptake of the DVD-Video format has been much more rapid than the uptake of CD was when it was first introduced, and the market for home cinema products is now almost in danger of becoming commoditised. Generally, home cinema systems comprise a source product, such as a DVD player, along with a system controller or AV processor product, amplification, multiple loudspeakers for surround sound, and, of course, a display device of some kind. These systems can range from 'home-cinema in a box' solutions, that you might purchase from your local high street, to sophisticated, installed systems that blend the latest in technology and high-performance audio with discreet installation and styling.

Home cinema with in-wall speakers and portable control

Multiroom Audio

Multiroom is, for the consumer, one of the most exciting developments in the home entertainment market because multiroom systems embody the trend towards whole-home entertainment, and are truly driven by customer need. Multiroom systems are generally specified and installed by custom installation (CI) companies who, in conjunction with manufacturers, are responding to the exceptional requirements of demanding customers for whom standard solutions are not available, or special or desirable enough. The reason for CI is to design, make, install and configure, service, maintain, upgrade and support unique installations tailored to suit the individual requirements of the most discriminating, powerful and imaginative consumers.

Multiroom audio from hall through to balcony

Multiroom audio systems allow you to use and seamlessly integrate all of your entertainment sources into one, simple-to-control system that can be accessed and enjoyed by the entire family simultaneously. From any point in the house these systems can offer direct access and control of all of your sources via a variety of control devices, including wall-mounted keypads, touchscreens and/or handheld remote controls. Sources can be discreetly installed in one central location, or throughout the home, and can include traditional products such as CD players and tuners or the latest in hard-disk audio servers offering uncompressed storage and playback of thousands of hours of music.

Linn Kivor Tunboks hard disk audio server

These multiroom audio systems are also often required to integrate with other third party automation systems such as security, lighting, air-conditioning, telephone systems and PC networks. The sky is the limit and the choices can be almost endless, as is the challenge for design manufacturers, architects, interior designers and custom installation companies.

The benefits of a multiroom audio system are obvious. Imagine having your entire CD collection stored on a hard-disk server which can be accessed from any room in the house without any loss of audio quality. Imagine being able to create and access individual or multiple playlists throughout your home. Bach in the bath or The Beatles in the bedroom? No problem. Combine the latest developments in audio performance with ease-of-use and discreet installation and it is no surprise that demand for these systems is growing. Many architects and house builders are only now seeing the potential of whole-home entertainment systems and an increasing number of new-build properties are available pre-wired to enable consumers to experience the difference that multiroom systems make to their quality of life.

Audio control through wall-mounted panel

Installation At the heart of choosing a multiroom system is the process of choosing the right installation partner. Many installation companies understand that the custom installation of a one-off, unique system is a vital expression of the clients' personal creativity and their desire to design their own life and living environment, driven by quality and performance. Customers seeking this kind of bespoke solution tend to seek out relationships with those special, skilled people whose talented design solutions align with their own vision and ambition. CEDIA (Custom Electronic Design and Installation Association), a not-for-profit trade association, has been formed to promote professional excellence in the field of custom installation and offer a referrals service to enable customers to make an informed choice when selecting a custom installer.

Discreet multiroom audio with table-top control

Music has the power to bring joy, and the world's best entertainment systems are the most enjoyable. The better the reproduction quality, the higher the standard of sound reproduction accuracy and image fidelity; the greater the communicative power of the system, and the more enjoyable and pleasurable participation in the entertainment experience becomes. This applies to hi-fi and home cinema entertainment as well as distributed multiroom audio.

Stuart Russell is the Marketing Manager for Linn Products Ltd, a vertically-integrated manufacturer of advanced audio and video components and systems.

www.linn.co.uk