Speaker Selectors

hochpt21

Does anyone have experience with speaker selectors?

I would like to put a pair of speakers on my deck and be able to run them through my main rig.

I am thinking about this product... http://www.crutchfield.com/p_190ABA1DW/Niles-ABA-1D-White.html?tp=2997

I don't need/want to run both sets of speakers at the same time...just switch between.

Will this degrade the quality of my main rig with the LSi's?

Any help/thoughts are appreciated.

Thanks,
Paul

EndersShadow

hochpt21 wrote: »

Does anyone have experience with speaker selectors?

I would like to put a pair of speakers on my deck and be able to run them through my main rig.

I am thinking about this product... http://www.crutchfield.com/p_190ABA1DW/Niles-ABA-1D-White.html?tp=2997

I don't need/want to run both sets of speakers at the same time...just switch between.

Will this degrade the quality of my main rig with the LSi's?

Any help/thoughts are appreciated.

Thanks,
Paul

Dumb question, but do you not have a Zone 2 you could use for that?

hochpt21

The B&K amp only has one set of speaker connections, so I don't think that would work.

EndersShadow

hochpt21 wrote: »

The B&K amp only has one set of speaker connections, so I don't think that would work.

So your using the same amp to power both setups and just using that device to switch between the two? Not sure thats the best idea fidelity wise since you've got to make your own cables there to Y the connection from your amp to both sets of speakers.....

soundfreak1

Find yourself an adcom g?? 3 speaker selector vintage very well made with good quality contacts and protectins switch. Shouldn't cost any more than that and ut works great. I have had one for years in and out of my systems for speaker compairision. Never had any issues. Totally passive and built like a tank.

hochpt21

EndersShadow wrote: »

So your using the same amp to power both setups and just using that device to switch between the two? Not sure thats the best idea fidelity wise since you've got to make your own cables there to Y the connection from your amp to both sets of speakers.....

Yea, I'm now also looking at "non-in-wall' options. I could put the selector close to my amp and run a short run of the same SignalCable from the amp to the selector and then to my main speakers. The longer run to the deck speakers could just be whatever.

I guess the issue is figuring out if the selector box itself would degrade the sound quality.

hochpt21

Seems like some people recommend a Bryston unit, but used those are $500+ and out of the budget.

cincycat13

Adcom made some decent ones for 3 or 6 sets and I see them on eBay from time to time. I think they have some protection to protect the amp if multiple set are selected. The models escape me right now but you can Google research.

hochpt21

soundfreak1 wrote: »

Find yourself an adcom g?? 3 speaker selector vintage very well made with good quality contacts and protectins switch. Shouldn't cost any more than that and ut works great. I have had one for years in and out of my systems for speaker compairision. Never had any issues. Totally passive and built like a tank.

Wow, those can be had pretty cheap. Maybe I should just pick one up and see if I can hear a difference.

EndersShadow

hochpt21 wrote: »

I guess the issue is figuring out if the selector box itself would degrade the sound quality.

I would guess it "could" but am not an expert by any means.

I am planning on using Zone 2 out of my AVR and sending the signal wirelessly to a small amp of some sort to my deck speakers (yet to be purchased or installed).

tonyb

hochpt21 wrote: »

The B&K amp only has one set of speaker connections, so I don't think that would work.

It should....zone 2 is separate. Leave the main rig on zone 1 and just hook up directly to zone 2 if you have speaker outputs for zone 2.

tonyb

nbrowser wrote: »

Personally, deck speakers being just music that your not critically listening to, I'd just get a cheap receiver and use that instead of a selector box. Easier to run and less chance of the main system speakers experiencing degradation with a box in there somewhere. Just my 2 cents.

Funny, that's exactly what I do. Just use a cheapo Sony with speaker A-B switching, hooked up to one Sonos box and that gives me access to everything the main rig can.

leftwinger57

I use the Niles sp6 -6zone selector w/ the protection circuit mode. I have run 3 out of my 4 sets just one time and the house was shaking and then just to change out for variety. Now I'm looking for an Adcom 6 speaker model. The Niles has spring tabs and the lowest gauge that safely fits is 14. The twist lock type of the Adcom kinda looks like it might accept a lower gu wire because I'm now running 10gu Belden from Blue Jeans w/ stubby banana plugs for the 2Bs. Also it goes with the gfa 555 and will be right on top of it. I saw on E-Bay w/ free shipping a decent looking unit for $50 and that's about what they are worth. I got the Niles there also for$21.50 being my one and only auction win ages ago.

deafbykhorns

I have used the Niles selector in the past (with impedance matching), always thought it made my main speakers sound a little thin.
If your more concerned with background music and always leave your mains on, I would use it for zone switching only and connect mains directly to the amps output.

soundfreak1

Ive had the adcom apart for initial cleaning when I first got it and it uses some very nice quality switches. Good build quality and I could never decern any negative effect on the sound. As said before ive used it for years for a/b ing speakers. Works just fine at a good price for the quality. Its compact, clean looking ,simple and does what its supposed to do.it also all metal no cheep plastic. I paid 30/40.00 if I remember correctly ( on cl ).

leftwinger57

Getting back to the selector story I saw this unit on e-bay and was a bit horrified. It has suface rust (if internal I don't know) and scratches by the plenty. I messaged the guy to ask him how could he present an item that looks like that w/o even dusting it off. He did reply and said he has sold many things and NEVER cleans them because he's to busy. To busy, you have to wrap and box the thing and you can't take a rag to it. Yes if the rust went nowhere but the top a can of world famous black would cure that and it's starting at $ 20 w/ no takers. I told him if it did not sell I'd take it for 1/2 the price w/ free shipping thrown in.I don't tink he is going for that one.



http://www.ebay.com/itm/321406082184?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649#ht_85wt_908

hochpt21

nbrowser wrote: »

Personally, deck speakers being just music that your not critically listening to, I'd just get a cheap receiver and use that instead of a selector box. Easier to run and less chance of the main system speakers experiencing degradation with a box in there somewhere. Just my 2 cents.

That is a good solution, but what I am trying to do is be able to play music on my turntable, or through the oppo in my main rig, and then just switch between which set of speakers it's coming through.

For example, we are making dinner or hanging out inside, and then go out on the deck to eat...Blamo, same music is now playing outside.

I did kind-of have this setup when I had the squeezebox setup in my main rig and a squeezebox boom that could link to it, but in order to move the boom you had to unplug it and then reset it at each different outlet.

hochpt21

tonyb wrote: »

It should....zone 2 is separate. Leave the main rig on zone 1 and just hook up directly to zone 2 if you have speaker outputs for zone 2.

Unless I'm not thinking correctly, which very well could be, the B&K amp is just a two channel power amp with one set of speaker outputs. I don't think I can hook another set of speakers up to it.

tonyb

hochpt21 wrote: »

Unless I'm not thinking correctly, which very well could be, the B&K amp is just a two channel power amp with one set of speaker outputs. I don't think I can hook another set of speakers up to it.

You shouldn't have to, as the internal amps on the receiver should be powering zone 2. Unless I'm not thinking correctly....

hochpt21

tonyb wrote: »

You shouldn't have to, as the internal amps on the receiver should be powering zone 2. Unless I'm not thinking correctly....

I probably could have been more clear from the beginning, but I am trying to do this with the 2-channel setup in my sig. I currently have the Oppo as a pre straight into the B&K amp.

MY AVR has a zone 2, but that is located in the basement.

steveinaz

nbrowser wrote: »

Personally, deck speakers being just music that your not critically listening to, I'd just get a cheap receiver and use that instead of a selector box. Easier to run and less chance of the main system speakers experiencing degradation with a box in there somewhere. Just my 2 cents.

This is my solution as well. I bought a pawn shop Yammie receiver for like $25. That thing has been outside for over 7 years, and still works! I have it hooked up to Energy C-3 bookies and a garage sale Toshiba DVD player. The Tosh has been serving outdoors for like 10 years!

pumpkinman

cincycat13 wrote: »

Adcom made some decent ones for 3 or 6 sets and I see them on eBay from time to time. I think they have some protection to protect the amp if multiple set are selected. The models escape me right now but you can Google research.

Paul it is Paul correct ??
I'll PM you when I get home

Polkie2009

steveinaz wrote: »

This is my solution as well. I bought a pawn shop Yammie receiver for like $25. That thing has been outside for over 7 years, and still works! I have it hooked up to Energy C-3 bookies and a garage sale Toshiba DVD player. The Tosh has been serving outdoors for like 10 years!

I haven't bought a Toshiba product in probably 15 years. Haven't had to, the dang Toshiba CRT 20" tv won't die, and the Toshiba dvd player works great.

pumpkinman

PM sent

P-man

hochpt21

Thank you for the message...PM returned.

steveinaz

The nice thing about going cheap receiver route is that you can also integrate TV/DVD on your patio, provided you've got cover. I really enjoy the flatscreen out on the patio, especially for parties when I play concert DVD's, etc. Plus, we don't smoke in the house, so it's nice to continue to watch TV on the patio while taking a smoke break. In the spring/summer/fall, we spend 80% of our time on the patio.

At our old house we also had a pool, so I bought a cheap speaker switcher from Monoprice and ran a set of speakers to the pool deck area, which was really nice. The new house, unfortunately, being a Santa Fe has no extended roof line to tuck outdoor speaks under; add to that NO pool either. BUT, the new place has 17 acres and stunning views, 360 degrees.

tonyb

Summer in Arizona....outside ? Your a better man than me Steve. No way in hell, and it's just as hot, am I sitting outside in the summer without a pool....in Arizona.

steveinaz

I have a portable swamp cooler for the patio---I'm not totally insane. LOL Fortunately, we're cooler than Tucson by 6-8 degrees typically, because we're much higher in elevation. (4800ft)

The nice thing about a severely dry climate, is that you just need some shade, and you're pretty comfortable.

tonyb

steveinaz wrote: »

I have a portable swamp cooler for the patio---I'm not totally insane. LOL Fortunately, we're cooler than Tucson by 6-8 degrees typically, because we're much higher in elevation. (4800ft)

The nice thing about a severely dry climate, is that you just need some shade, and you're pretty comfortable.

So...instead of 128 degrees in Tucson, it's 120 by you ? No shade in the world will make that comfortable for me....even naked.

Note to self....do not visit Steve in the summer. LOL

leftwinger57

Before I got my Adcom and the whole 2-chl system my Yamaha RX-V665 does have a zone 2 which I used. A few good things about that was you could have 1 source on in my living room and on zone 2 a different source in the bdrm playing through the JBL-2060s.After my clipping incident i went w/ the Adcom and got a totally seperate vintage bdrm set-up. Also zone 2 used very small spring tabs and if zn2 was utilized 7.1 could not work only 5.1 which I ran anyway. Just one of the quirky things of the RX-V665. Back to the Niles also all metal a bit smaller than the Adcom switcher and did not add or color to the sound in my system no matter what speaker set I played. Cleraly the 2Bs sounded the best then the TF 350s KLH 331 and finally the ADC 303 ax.

unc2701

The adcom unit is pretty solid, but personally, I'd get a cheap receiver or power amp like others have mentioned.