Basic 4-1-1:
The cornerstones of architectural audio are in-wall or in-ceiling loudspeakers. These are speakers that can be installed into a wall or ceiling and blend unobtrusively into a home to complement the interior environment without taking up valuable floor space.
An individual speaker generally consists of a tweeter (reproducing high octaves) and mid-range.
Pluses 4-1-1:
In-wall/in-ceiling speakers are profitable, easy to install, marketable and in demand. According to data from the NAHB Research Center and Consumer Electronics Association (CEA), multiroom audio system penetration in new homes rose from 9 percent in 2003 to 15 percent in 2005.
Home theater and multiroom audio are not exclusive to affluent homebuyers. Electronics professionals can install basic music and home-theater systems in everything from production homes to fully customized residences.
This fact dictates that audio should be included in every sales proposal, and its benefits extend beyond the attraction of having an installed system—it’s also lucrative for the builder.
Installation 4-1-1:
In new construction, pre-wire installation should be done while the walls are open. Speaker cable needs to be run inside the wall or ceiling and optional mounting brackets can be affixed to wall studs or ceiling joists, or using a template supplied by the manufacturer or cutout dimensions, a hole is cut in the drywall. The hole cannot overlap a stud and there must be sufficient clearance behind the speaker. Some manufacturers offer brackets that can be used for added support. The speaker is then simply dropped in place and secured using cam locks or screws. Generally, the grilles are paintable and can be dropped in at the time of installation. If not, the grilles can be set in place after painting.
Cost 4-1-1:
In-wall/in-ceiling speaker costs can range wildly, from under $50 per speakers to $5,000 apiece. Generally today’s electronics products, including loudspeakers, are vastly superior to products produced 10 or 20 years ago, but it is unrealistic to think that an architectural speaker that costs $150 per pair is going to sound as good as a speaker that costs $1,500 per pair.
Profit 4-1-1:
Unlike many other home technologies, in-wall/in-ceiling speakers are often able to accommodate higher markups for builders (40 percent to 70 percent), well beyond the standard 30 percent builder product markup. Homebuyers are purchasing multiple pairs of speakers to satisfy their home theater and multiroom audio desires. Builders should negotiate markup details with their integrators. Cabling, which can also sustain a higher markup, can generally account for 10 percent of a full system price.
Codes/Standards 4-1-1:
There are no codes directly addressing speakers, but several standards from the CEA touch on the category, including CEA-2030 (Multiroom Audio Cabling Standard); CEA-426-B (Loudspeaker, Optimum Amplifier Power); CEA 2009-A (Connection Color Codes for Home Theater Systems); and CEA-CEB17 (Floor to Ceiling Guide for Residential Speaker Systems—Planning, Selection and Installation for Optimum Performance). Cabling is subject to UL and CL ratings to ensure safety compliant connectivity over long distances.
More 4-1-1:
More information can be found at the these Web sites:
www.ce.org
www.tbxweb.com
www.ehxweb.com
www.electronichouse.com
www.cepro.com
www.cedia.net