trouble setting up 5 zone audio system

cmjoesmith

Having trouble setting up 5 zone audio system

I’m trying to find the best way to setup a 5 zone home audio system with priority given to the 5.1 surround for home theater.

I’ll list the zones and equipment I have and I’m hoping someone can provide a little direction.

ZONE 1 (FAMILY RM):
-5.1 surround with Polk PSW 140 powered sub.
-Front R & L= Polk LC 80i in ceiling.
-Rear R & L= Polk TC 80i in ceiling
-Center= Polk TC265i in wall under plasma
ZONE 2 (GAME RM):
-One pair of Polk RT800i floor standing. Music only. 2nd. Most important zone.
ZONE 3 (BEDROOM):
-One pair of pre-existing, unk.type in ceiling speakers. Music only.
Sound, unimportant.
ZONE 4 & 5 (BACKYARD):
-Two pair of unk.type outdoor speakers. Music only. Sound, unimportant.

All speakers setup with 14G in wall speaker wire, homerun to build in entertainment center, located in Zone 1 (Family Rm.).

AMP & INTEGRATED RECEIVER SPECS:
-Parasound HCA-1205 five channel amp
Continuous Power Output:
140W RMS X 5, 20Hz-20kHz, 8 ohms
200W RMS X 5, 20Hz-20kHZ, 4 ohms
-Denon AVR2801 Integrated Receiver
Power Amp Section/Rated output:
Front= 90W+90W (8 ohms, 20Hz-20kHz, 0.05% THD
Center= 90W (8 ohms, 20Hz-20kHz, 0.05% THD
Rear = 90W+90W (8 ohms, 20Hz-20kHz, 0.05% THD

I’m planning on using volume controls on every zone accept Zone 1 (Living Rm.)

I’m not sure if I should use the 5 Channel Parasound Amp to power each of the 5.1 surround speakers, and then use the Integrated Denon Amp to power the other zones. Or would it be better to use the Denon to power the 5.l surround speakers and the Parasound Amp to power the other zones.

I’m also wondering if I should put a zone selector somewhere in the system. I have heard that if I’m using volume controls that a zone selector is not necessary.


SPEAKER SPECS:
-Zone 1 (Living Rm. 5.1 Surround)
Front R & L= Polk LC80i, 4ohms, Freq. Response 30Hz-27kHz, 10-125 w/channel
Efficiency 90dB
Rear R & L= Polk TC80i, 8ohms, Freq. Response 30Hz-27kHz, 10-125 w/channel
Efficiency 90dB
Center = Polk TC265i 8ohms, Freq. Response 30z-27kHz, 10-200 w/channel
Efficiency 91dB
Sub = Polk PSW 140 Specs not available
-Zone 2 (Game Rm.)
Pair of Polk RT800i floor standing, 8ohms, Freq. Response 28Hz-26kHz,
20-250 w/channel, Efficiency 90dB
-Zone 3,4,5 unimportant

unc2701

Ok:
1)put the parasound on the main 5.1 room- you're gonna need it for the 4 ohm speakers

2)That denon is not a multizone amp. So you can't listen to one thing in zone1 and something else in zone 2

3)Get impedence matching volume controls for Zones 2-Zone 5. Read the instructions VERY CAREFULLY!!! These will let you wire up all those zones to the main speaker binding posts on the denon, but if you do it wrong, you'll load your amp way down and cook it.

4)Your existing equipment is really not the best way to go about this. Look up multizone or full home audio on the web for more reading. www.bkcomp.com (b&k components) and www.nilesaudio.com both have good info about their respective products for this.