Audio system

[pnutp0wer 23]

Hi everybody,

 

This is my first time on the fibaro forum so i dont know if my subject is in the right topic list.

 

I want too buy a HC2 in the next 2 months but i got a question about the audio system i want to pair with the system. 

 

I already know that Sonos is the most user friendly system too pair with Fibaro but i prefer a Audio Receiver like Denon, Onkyo or something like that. I know no other system than Sonos has a good multi-room function but i live in a small appartment so the multi-room function wont be that necessary, but my girlfriend wants too have music in the bathroom. (like pairing the fibaro dimmer with audio, so if you pushed the light button the music starts also playing)   

 

Can you tell me what you're experiences are with this kind of systems (like denon, onkyo etc)? Do you have the same functions with the scenes like sonos or not? 

[Sankotronic 2,206]

I had bad experience with Denon Heos 3 multi room speaker with available plugin and code wrote by me, so replaced it with Sonos 3 and works perfectly with plugin and virtual device made by Jean-Christophe. There are plugins for Denon AVR, Onkyo AVR and Pioneer AVR but I have no idea what models are supported and I hope people with more experience will answer your request.

[jakub.jezek 353]

I tested Onkyo plugin with integra DTR series and it works perfectly. We just have DTR-40.7 connected in ur showroom. Yes in plugin are not all functions (addtional inputs), but basics work.

 

If you wan to add there some TV, i recomend to buy Global Cache and make Virtual device for it. I have bad experiences with TV plugins.

[alex88 71]

I have integrated Onkyo and Pioneer. 

 

For older models this is a very useful guide 

Please login or register to see this link.

 

I have extrapolated model numbers from the attached guide and it seems that the newer models are consistent in terms of the functions they support, however if someone knows of a newer guide it would be very kind of you to share.

 

If you want to know more about integrating your Onkyo receiver, I wrote this reply to a user, not sure if it was received well or not: 

Please login or register to see this link.

[pnutp0wer 23]

Hi @Aleks

 

Thanks for your reply, still considering if i should buy a Sonos system or a real AMP like Onkyo/pioneer/marantz. 
Sonos is easy too use with Fibaro but i like the looks and quality of Dali speakers + Onkyo/Marantz 

 

Which model AMP are you using at the moment?

And why do you got a pioneer and onkyo amp?

[alex88 71]

Regarding Sonos:

- You know with Sonos you can buy the connect amp and use your own speakers, or

- You could buy the Sonos connect and then use your own amp and speakers.

- The Sonos VD that is out there is pretty good, barring a bug or two, but I think on the forum we have worked it out now, there are few downsides:

 

    o You cannot play playlists – at least if you figure it out there will be a lot of happy people on the forum

    o There is a bug that corrupts a global variable required to run the VD correctly, it requires a bit of resetting to get it working again (but pretty easy)

         o TTS can be delayed to the point where it’s best to use pre-records sound files if you need a quick response

 

Regarding Onkyo/Pioneer

- My old Onkpo HDMI output died, so I bought a Pioneer. I then went back to Onkyo as I liked it more than the Pioneer; in the end I integrated 3 separate amps (2x Onkyo 818 / 1030 and 1x Pioneer)

- The VD integration is pretty good. I would almost say flawless, but there is an occasional problem where I can’t turn the amp on from the VD, so I am planning to power the amp off and on using a zwave wall plug; I have tested it and it works fine

- IMPORTANT --- With the Onkyo VD I have not tried to play Spotify (or any music for that matter) through it, so I wouldn’t know how to get a HC2 VD to start/stop music from a separate source – you need to investigate this before you go too far down the track

 

 

I use my Onkyo amp for TV/Media and various Sonos devices for Music, so horse for courses

[pnutp0wer 23]

Sonos

- The Sonos connect Amp can only handle 2 speakers (or max 4 speakers with a max of 50 watt) So that will be no option

- I know the features sonos connect but i dont know if it will be worth the money. 

 

Do you have any experience with Sonos Connnect and your own amp? Or maybe other users? 

 

 

Onkyo/pioneer

So for now, you always have too turn the power on manually? 

[alex88 71]

Sonos

- The Sonos connect Amp can only handle 2 speakers (or max 4 speakers with a max of 50 watt) So that will be no option

- I know the features sonos connect but i dont know if it will be worth the money. 

 

Do you have any experience with Sonos Connnect and your own amp? Or maybe other users? 

 

 

Onkyo/pioneer

So for now, you always have too turn the power on manually? 

 

Sonos

I have the Sonos connect amp and connect. They are both stable and the software is user friendly. Also, 50 watt RMS is fine for most applications. Unless you are going audiophile it's fine and if you do want to go audiophile then just get the connect. 

 

But hey, Sonos isn't the only option. If it's too expensive (and I would understand why you would say that) then search this forum. There are other options out there. 

 

Onkyo

I leave my Onkyo on all the time, so no need for manual steps to turn it on/off. The amp turns off from the VD, but it doesn't always turn back on from the VD. I haven't spent the time to figure out why. It did work previously, so it's probably something minor, but I don't care to figure it out right now. Powering the amp on/off from a Fibaro Wall Plug works fine.

[pnutp0wer 23]

Sonos

 

You say you have a: 

• Sonos connect
• Sonos connect amp
• 2x Onkyo receivers
• Pioneer receiver

I'm just really curious what your system looks like together?! Haha. 

I think sonos connect + receiver will be the best solution, if the receiver will be have enough functions paired with fibaro. 

it's just not about the money, its more about what system or combination will be the best solution besides the Sonos play:1/2/3 etc. 

 

The sonos connect is nearly €400, and i wont know how often i'll use it. Maybe the best solution is first too try the receiver and add up the sonos connect if i miss something. But that wont give me the option too play music in the bathroom haha. 

[gruberb 0]

I have 3 Sonos Play1 working as info speakers through pre-recorded audio files as TTS is sometimes not working.

Also I use them to stream music through the native Sonos app with Spotify.

For Home Cinema, I use a Sonos connect with TOSLINK (optical) into a DSP driving 6 separate active amps powering an ACR horn. This is not included in the 'info' scripts, so audio will not get stopped when for example the washing machine is finished.

To be able to play any kind of ordinary computer sound/audio on the Sonos speakers, a Philips Bluetooth receiver is connected to the Sonos connect. This can be configured to play on any individual speaker in addition to streaming.

 

It works very well and the beauty of having active speakers (also) is that now you just can take one (or more) outside and enjoy your system while laying on your terrace.

[alex88 71]

Sonos

 

You say you have a: 

• Sonos connect
• Sonos connect amp
• 2x Onkyo receivers
• Pioneer receiver

I'm just really curious what your system looks like together?! Haha. 

I think sonos connect + receiver will be the best solution, if the receiver will be have enough functions paired with fibaro. 

it's just not about the money, its more about what system or combination will be the best solution besides the Sonos play:1/2/3 etc. 

 

The sonos connect is nearly €400, and i wont know how often i'll use it. Maybe the best solution is first too try the receiver and add up the sonos connect if i miss something. But that wont give me the option too play music in the bathroom haha. 

 

I have more Sonos devices. I was just sharing the ones that were relevant to your post. I haven't reached the 10+ zones that some members on the forum have, but when my place is renovated it will most likely end up with 10+ zones, plus 3 working amps.