Project Overview

The client, having purchased an existing home, wanted to install their TV and create a surround sound system in the main living room. Additionally, they wanted to get the outdoor speakers and in-ceiling speakers in the second living room up and running. The project faced several challenges, including all existing speaker cables being routed to a remote location in the garage, the use of outdated analog signal cables, and the absence of HDMI and subwoofer cables. The client was also working within a limited budget and chose a two-zone AV receiver, even though speakers from three zones needed to be connected.

Challenges

The main challenges were:

• All speaker cables were routed to a remote location in the garage.
• Existing signal cables were outdated analog cables, with no HDMI or subwoofer cable in place.
• The client’s budget constraints meant we needed to use a two-zone AV receiver for a three-zone setup.

Our Solution

To address these challenges, we selected a GoldenEar passive LCR soundbar for the front speakers of the living room’s surround sound system. We ran new subwoofer and HDMI cables from the TV and subwoofer locations to the garage, carefully routing them through the ceiling and wall spaces without damaging the walls.

To accommodate the client’s two-zone Denon AV receiver, we combined the second and third zone speakers into a single zone. This allowed the client to control all the speakers using the two-zone amplifier, with a separate wall control for ease of use.

Results

The client was delighted with the outcome. They were able to control the TV and sound using their TV remote via CEC and ARC, use their PC through the AV receiver, and enjoy full audio coverage across all zones. The installation was clean and tidy, ensuring a seamless and functional system within the client’s budget.

Conclusion

This project highlights our ability to find creative solutions for budget-conscious clients while overcoming technical challenges. By combining zones and carefully running new cables, we delivered a robust AV system with full functionality, ensuring the client could enjoy their entertainment system with minimal disruption and maximum satisfaction.