Accessing audio properties of a space allows designers to unleash its design potential. We can create spaces that amplify voices when participants speak out loud, areas for media consumption without disturbing other participants, and more.
A zone system enables multiple areas to select and control their own sources independently from one another. This typically requires individual amplifiers and speakers in each area.
What is a zone?
Zone is defined as any continuous area that differs in some way, or is distinguished for some purpose, from adjoining areas: radiation resistance zone. Geography-wise, zones can also refer to regions on Earth’s surface distinguished from each other by climate or temperature: North Frigid Zone, North Temperate Zone, South Temperate Zone and Torrid Zone are geographical examples; informally “being in the zone” can refer to an intense concentration and focus that enhance performance during sports (He’s in his zone when playing golf for example); also used as an adjective: zoned; zon*ing [Courtesy of Free Online Dictionary].
Note: People sometimes confuse the term ‘zone’ with “The Twilight Zone,” although each has a unique meaning.
What are the benefits of a zone system?
Zone systems provide different audio environments without needing multiple amplifiers, providing immersive surround sound in one room while enjoying traditional two-channel stereo in another zone. Most multi-room systems also enable you to manage sources and volume via an app on your smartphone or tablet for each zone.
This flexible solution has many applications for residential and commercial spaces alike. A bar may need commentary for sporting events while playing background music in another zone; similarly, restaurants could play playlists while their DJ plays music outside on their patio patio.
Your zone system design options depend on both budget and system design preferences. Wired solutions require cables to run back from each zone back to a central amplifier location – including speaker cable for ceiling speakers and Cat cables where Voice Assistants or Keypads would be installed. A hybrid wireless solution bypasses this step entirely by employing music streamers such as Chromecast Audio or Sonos Connect that are linked directly with speakers throughout your space.
Apps used to control zone systems also enable you to easily create Presets that make setting up for dinner parties, relaxing evenings and early morning wake up calls easy with just a single click of a button. Plus you can specify exactly which speakers go in each zone for an enhanced listening experience!
Additionally, having the option to disable spatial audio in each zone will help lower noise levels in other parts of your home while you work or listen to something important – especially useful if your children or pets listen to music at high volumes! This feature can also protect valuable artwork that’s being played.
Audio experts sometimes suggest installing separate power amplifiers for each zone to eliminate over-amplification, though this may not always be feasible at an acceptable price point. A good audio designer can offer advice regarding which options would work best in your project and create an accessible system that meets all of your audio requirements.
How do I set up a zone system?
Wired zone systems consist of sources and amplifiers centralizedly placed, while speakers installed throughout the house connect via speaker cable to their amplifier. A smartphone or tablet app controls this system to determine which sources play into which zones at what volume. You can create groups and presets (think dinner party, relaxing evening, wake up) so with just the press of one button your home is fully customized just how you’d like it.
Zone systems can be an ideal addition to boats with multiple zones as well as residential homes, commercial offices and transport hubs. When boating it can be very helpful having separate zones for live sports commentary and music or breaking apart the sound from an onboard television into separate channels – creating an entertaining experience or quiet retreat where one can read.
No matter whether you are planning a multi-room audio system from scratch or retrofitting an existing system with additional zones, we can help. Our professional installers specialize in designing custom home theater and audio/visual systems and will work closely with you to find the best solutions for both homes and businesses alike.
One easy way to add zones is by purchasing a home theater receiver or amplifier that supports this feature, typically featuring additional speaker outputs for Zone 2 or Zone Audio.
Some receivers feature multiple HDMI outputs that can be used to power a second or third zone with different video sources, while other models use preamp outputs to support Zone 2 audio. Some higher end models even allow you to assign a voice assistant for zone control!
Zone systems are frequently utilized commercially in workshop settings to help facilitate breakout sessions and brainstorm sessions, providing an ideal way to reduce distractions and focus on tasks at hand. Our clients appreciate how these zones allow them to engage fully with their team without feeling isolated in larger spaces.
What are the limitations of a zone system?
Home automation and audio-visual system manufacturers provide various options for managing multiple zones. These could include either using separate amplifiers per zone, or having one central amplifier connected via Cat cable to speakers and keypads placed throughout your house – often daisy-chained together – which are suitable options.
Some systems include all equipment being centrally housed at one location and broadcasting speaker-level signals through Cat5 cable to various rooms within a home. While this type of setup requires more expertise to install and maintain, it provides maximum source selection control options.
Breaking up spaces into different zones is a common feature in commercial installations, like large venues. For instance, VIP areas provide the audience with an area to watch the stage without disrupting other patrons or interrupting performers. A similar strategy could also be utilized at museums or other public spaces in order to provide guests with a private experience.
Systems with amplifiers for each zone typically feature one source playing in the main room (Zone 0) and separate ones in subsequent rooms (2-6), giving users the flexibility to listen to Spotify in their living room while watching PlayStation on a big screen in their bedroom (Zone 2). App-controlled systems such as Denon HEOS may be ideal as they allow you to select your source via an easy mobile app.
When purchasing an amplifier, make sure to pay close attention to its ‘room capacity’, which indicates how many speakers it can power at one time. For instance, an amplifier with 6 Room Capacity could power 6 pairs or 12 individual speakers at once.
Only a handful of companies provide amplifiers equipped with multiple zones straight out of the box, however. Certain models, like Sonos’ amplifiers, may require hacking with speaker selector switches in order to have multiple zones from one unit.