Modern audio equipment can provide an excellent acoustic experience not only in the room in which it is installed, but also in all other rooms in the house. This is achieved by means of advanced multiroom systems, which are gaining more and more popularity in Polish market conditions.

Multiroom systems are not a novelty, but it is worth noting that hi-fi equipment used to sound all or only selected rooms in the house has been very popular for several years. Currently, we can observe a very dynamic development in this segment of the home hi-fi, which in a way results from the growing popularity of smart home systems, automation and control systems, with which multiroom can work.

Multiroom, i.e. home public address system

The idea behind the multiroom concept is to eliminate the need to buy separate audio sets for each room in the house to be sounded. There are two ways to create such a system - using cable or wireless connections.

It may seem that in the case of the first mentioned solution we are dealing with a cheaper option. Nothing could be further from the truth. This type of system will most often be chosen by people who are attached to traditional solutions and have sensitive musical hearing. In such a case, the system consists of a dedicated multi-zone device (more expensive version) or an amplifier with multiroom function (cheaper version), a set of speakers and drivers, thanks to which it will be possible to operate audio from any room. The installation itself is complicated and multi-stage, but the final result may exceed the wildest expectations.

Next to it there are wireless network solutions. It is quite difficult to match the quality of the wired sound here, and the signal transmitted in this way will have a worse reliability of operation, but the term "worse" should not be associated with the word "bad". With the right configuration, this type of solutions will be sufficient even for advanced users. When it comes to sound quality, the vast majority of listeners will be satisfied with the reproduction of audio tracks, and the installation itself is not only easier, but also faster. If the multiroom system was not included in the planning stage of the house construction, a wireless network may be a much better solution. In addition to a set of speakers, the installation includes Ethernet devices - a router or hub to which individual components are connected. Control is usually done by means of a dedicated application, which can be operated from a computer or mobile devices.

However, the proper selection of advanced elements of the multiroom system does not guarantee excellent sound quality. Properly executed acoustic adaptation of the rooms is also of key importance.

Acoustic adaptation - what should be kept in mind?

Ideally suited rooms for listening to music should include an individual plan for each of them. This does not mean, however, that without the help of an expert we will not achieve satisfactory sound quality. Just keep a few iron rules in mind.

In acoustic adaptation, what counts is the skilful use of two phenomena - attenuation and dispersion. They are not favoured by flat, hard parts with a large surface area. If there are two "bare" walls opposite each other, we can forget about good sound quality. The same applies to the ceiling and the floor. For the simplest acoustic adaptation with a good result you can use virtually all the elements of interior design - carpets, floor coverings, furniture, curtains, etc..

A very common problem, which significantly affects the quality of listening, is the phenomenon of inducing low tones. To effectively get rid of this problem, in every corner of the room it is worth using bass absorbers, operating below the frequency of 200 Hz.

We mentioned earlier that in acoustic adaptation it is the attenuation and dispersion that counts. While in the first case it is possible to exaggerate, which will result in "sucking life out of the sound" in the midrange and treble, too many distracting elements do not negatively affect the quality of listening. Therefore, do not be afraid of an excess of furniture and decorations in rooms, but it is important that they are optimally arranged.