A whole-house audio system takes planning, but the effort makes it possible to listen to music in any room without a portable device

Connecting an audio system throughout your home means that you’ll never have to go without music. The idea is that you’ll have speakers in nearly every room in the house, so you can play your favorite songs or listen to podcasts without interruption.

Although this technology might sound futuristic, it’s relatively simple once you have the right audio devices. The technology is also highly customizable because you can turn some rooms off when you don’t want music there, use various audio players and streaming devices, and put your speakers wherever you want.

Here’s what you’ll need to do as you prepare to install your whole-house audio system.

Select which rooms you want to include

You want a whole-house audio system, but does that include your patio? Is it necessary in the bathroom? What about the kids’ rooms?

Before anything else, figure out which rooms you want to equip with speakers because this gives you a better idea of the size of the job. Remember that the more rooms you incorporate into your plan, the more you can expect it to cost.

You’ll also want to consider the size of the rooms or spaces, as this helps you decide on your speakers. If you’re going to put speakers in numerous areas throughout your home, there’s a chance you’ll have to upgrade your receiver, as well.

Identify your preferred audio sources

There are countless sources from which to choose, including cable television channels, streaming services, media devices, CD players, radio tuners, Blu-ray players, and satellite radio. The number of sources you wish to incorporate is up to you, but you’ll want to make sure your devices are compatible with the system you install.

A multi-source or multi-zone system allows you to listen to different things in every room, which can help you cut down on arguments around the household. For example, if the kids are watching a movie and using some speakers through the Blu-ray player, you can still stream music outside while doing yard work.

The more sources you have, however, the more complex the operation will be, which could add stress when trying to control it.

Determine if you want wired or wireless speakers

Historically, users have preferred wired systems because they provided far better sound quality. Advances in wireless technology have reduced this gap to the point where there’s very little difference in quality.

Many homeowners now go with wireless speakers because they’re more flexible, allowing them to move their speakers anywhere they want without changing the wiring configuration. Wireless systems are also more attractive because you won’t have bundles of wires hidden throughout your room.

The drawback of wireless systems is the cost, as you can expect to pay a lot more for your purchase. There’s also the chance of other devices interfering with the wireless signal, which could hinder the sound quality.

Think about the pros and cons of each system before making a final decision on what works best for you.

Choose the type of speakers you prefer

In-wall speakers and in-ceiling speakers are incredibly popular because although they’re wired, the wiring is behind your wall and isn’t visible. The catch is that the speakers harder to install because you have to run wiring behind your drywall. However, the result is a seamless wireless speaker system that you won’t even see.

Bookshelf speakers are well-liked because they’re smaller and easy to move. They also blend into the background, so they aren’t overly noticeable. The main issue with this technology is that if you go with the wired option, you’ll have to find a way to hide your wires.

Floor-standing speakers become a fixture in your room because they’re always visible and quite large. You’ll also have to put some effort into hiding the wires unless you go with wireless speakers.

There’s no wrong answer here, but you’ll want to consider how the speakers will fit into your home before buying.

Get the help you need from a professional

Installing a whole-house audio system is a significant job, especially if you’re installing wires behind your walls or configuring the arrangement for multiple devices. You don’t have to do it all alone; there are contractors who can get your system up and running in no time.

Contact an experienced audio installation company that is local to you in order to get your home audio setup done correctly!