investigated: multi-room made easy

what to consider when hooking up your audio home

Pick your controller

The majority of multi-room audio systems use their own custom mobile app to stream media files – and while the quality of these varies wildly, they all get the job done. It’s most important to look for compatibility with your favourite streaming services and apps – if you’re a Spotify user, for example, you need direct compatibility. Hi-fi fans might also consider a system with a specialised adapter to integrate existing set-ups, or one that supports Bluetooth sources.

Active or passive?

The majority of systems come in active packages – powered speakers that receive the signal from the multi-room system. But if you’re concerned with future upgradeability, it’s worth considering a system that enables you to wire up your own passive speakers at each node.

How many zones?

Just how far is your multiroom system going to stretch? If you’re simply going for a two-zone configuration, why not consider extending your existing amplifier/ receiver via that old-tech favourite: speaker wires? It’ll save you a bunch. And while most of us are very unlikely to surpass even the eight rooms that lower-end wireless set-ups top out at, consider where you might extend your system next and make sure there’s a capacity overhead built in.

Don’t forget Hi-Res

Whether or not you think your ears are sensitive enough to notice the difference, you’ll kick yourself if you don’t build HD audio support into your system. Look either for direct compatibility or the ability to downsample Hi-Res tunes.