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Yamaha's
Wireless Audio System - called MusicCast™
- surpasses its competitors by allowing a vast array of inputs and outputs
on the units so they can be integrated into your home in many ways. It
also is unique in the fact that they offer a line of A/V Surround
Receivers that incorporates MusicCast™
so that your Surround Sound system becomes a zone. These photos represent
a few screenshots from the app on a tablet |
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The Yamaha™
MusicCast™
app has some very cool features, such as having pictures represent each
room or zone. You can use their included photos, or you can take one with
your smartphone automatically. Streaming service include the most popular,
such as Pandora™, SiriusXM™, Spotify™ and more. These photos
represent a few screenshots from the app on a SmartPhone. MusicCast
also works with Alexa™ voice control |
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The Yamaha™
MusicCast™
line of product include a zone amplifier, zone preamplifier, Soundbars,
self-contained wireless speakers and most importantly, Surround and Stereo
receivers that allow a full fledged Surround sound System to become a zone
in the MusicCast system. |
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A Yamaha
MusicCast™enabled
Sounbdbar (with wireless subwoofer) installed on a vaulted ceiling using a
custom mount to create the perfect listening angle. |
This equipment cabinet houses four
MusicCast™zone
amplifiers along with a Stereo Receiver that powers the Great room zone
(and allows for a huge array of additional sources). |
MusicCast™amplifiers
can be installed vertically to help with any custom installation
solutions. |
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Russound™
(the king of distributed audio) offers their Xstream™
system of streaming audio which has many scalable components - either
single zone units, or their XZone4™ amp that has four discreet zones in
once small package. Russound
also offers a wall mounted Touch
Screen for instant access (and for those who don't own SmartPhone
- for whatever reason). These photos represent a few screenshots from the
app (on phone and tablet) |
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Russound™
Xstream™
system consists of Zone amplifiers, zone preamps and an easy to integrate
4-zone, single rack space, Zone amp. Russound also offers a beautiful wall
mounted touch screen controller for instant access and control (no
fumbling for your smartphone to control the music). |
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One of the originators of Wireless Audio
systems is Sonos™.
Since many systems are upgrades from previous wired systems, all of
the Sonos
amps can be in one location. If needed, the Sonos
amps can be distributed around the house. These photos show the
former, with three, six and four zones, respectively. You can also have
this setup and still add zones directly in the desired room - as long as
there is Wi-Fi, you can add a zone. |
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This Sonos
system has been upgraded by using the Sonos
unit without an amp, and by using an AudioControl™
Bijou™
Amplifiers that use audiophile grade amplification components and has its
own upgraded D/A Converters. This system is beautifully displayed in the
double rack with access from behind. Sonos
is unique in the industry by having nearly every streaming service as
an option. |
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An older Russound
(wired) Distributed Audio System that utilizes keypads in each zone and AudioControl
amplification and equalization. The unit sits in a space under the
stairs, and it actively cooled by an ATM™
Cooling system and custom vents. |
This rack actually houses 12 Sonos
units and is cooled using remote ATM
cooling fan in the basement.
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This rack not only houses the equipment for a Surround
sound system, but it also serves as a distribution system.
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This rack system slides out into the "service"
position with the help of rails temporarily laid on the floor. The hole
under the rack forces cool air up into the rack. with an ATM
fan in the basement. |
The finished rack houses a four zone Sonos
system, with three other zones on the top floor. The hot air generated
by the rack escapes though the grille above the door (and is force by the ATM
fan below). |
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The new type of In-Ceiling speaker has a
"micro-bezel" grille which allows for a much cleaner look. Sonance™
was the first speaker company to introduce this advance and has a COMPLETE
line of speakers to choose from. These photos show a 4", a 6.5"
and an 8" grille. The grilles can be color matched. |
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These In-wall speakers are the equivalent
counter to the In-Ceiling speakers. Either rectangular or square, the
shape and size options (4", 6.5" and 8" - which represents
the "woofer" size) allow for a variety of aesthetics. They all
sport the Sonance
paintable Micro Bezel. |
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Outdoor, weatherproof speakers are very
popular on Cape Cod. They come in a huge variety of looks; these are the
"on-house" type, being yoke-mounted and aimable. Sonance
Mariner™ brand have a unique connection setup that ensures the
speaker wire connections are inside the housing. These are the
medium size - they also come in small and large. |
Sonance
also has a series of In-Ceiling and In-Wall speakers called Xtreme.
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The Sonance
speakers come in black or white and the whites can be painted. Whether
you choose a stereo pair, or if needed, a single speakers that plays both
left and right channels (single-stereo), various sizes will allow for many
options. |
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The other popular outdoor speaker are
"rocks". These speakers look like garden rocks, but are, in
fact, very robust speaker systems. They come in a huge variety of rock
types (Cape Cod is usually the "granite" finish), sizes and
layouts. There are even speaker "rocks" that are installed in
rock walls. Soundwaves sells the prevalent StereoStone™
brand as well as the step up Rockustics™
brand. Sonance, Russound and others sell rock speakers |
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PlanterSpeaker.com
offers high end, custom made speaker-planters. There is a style for nearly
every back yard and a speaker configuration for every need. All speakers
work as standard planters with water draining incorporated. All speakers
are built to order. Here are three options. |
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PlanterSpeaker.com
offers high end, custom made speaker-planters. Here are three more
options, but there are many more. Check out their website! |
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Sonance
offers a Landscape
Series package for outdoors that utilizes a sunken subwoofer
coupled with several small speakers that appear to be garden lighting. The
concept is to have many small speakers to cover large areas, as opposed to
two large speaker. This helps keep the sound "in YOUR yard" and
not the neighbor's. |
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The Sonance Landscape Series in a garden.
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This is the top of the shelf system from Sonance. The
LS68/SUB12E includes a 12" Subwoofer, eight (8) LS68 Satellites and a
DSP 2-750 Digital Amplifier. Many other systems are offered, and you can
mix and match to get the right system for your yard. |
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Closeup of the LS47SAT
which uses a 3.5" midrange and 3/4" Tweeter
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The top shelf LS86SAT
has a 6" midrange and a 1/2" Tweeter |
Closeup of the LS48SAT
which uses a 3.5" midrange and 1/2" Tweeter |
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Rockustic's
rock speakers come in many designs, many finishes and with various speaker
compliments.. |
This Rockustics
rock is a Subwoofer that adds the bottom end to your backyard system |
Terra Cotta or Granite planters are also offered. The
sound comes out from the bottom in a 360° pattern. |
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For the best of both worlds, this buried subwoofer from Rockustics
looks like a rock aboveground. |
Rockustic's
"Array" system has many options and sizes to fit your yard. |
Rockustics
also offers unique ways of "hiding" speakers. Here are
hanging coconut speakers! |
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Mounted under this porch bench, the black Mariner
speakers are nearly invisible. |
This single-stereo Sonance Mariner covers the porch with
sound. |
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More examples of Sonance
Mariner speakers right on the waterfront. Sonance offers a 5 year
limited warranty on their outdoor speakers. |
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Sometimes, the "Head End" where all the wires
end up, can be cleaned up and organized by using Speaker Connector
Wallplates. This is a 12 zone (24 speaker) over-sized panel |
This is a 4 zone (8 speaker) double-gang
wallplate (empty and fully connected) with "Banana" Jacks. |
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