Stormtrooper1 Posted October 29, 2014 Report Share Posted October 29, 2014 Here's some options and I'll do my best to explain what I think you have there... The good- Your whole house is wired to one location for speakers. The bad- I'm guessing those speakers aren't very good. I could definitely be wrong, but before I invested any money I would look into what kind of speakers they are. Another issue I personally have is that its tough to get sound quality out of ceiling speakers simply because of the axis they play at, and the surroundings. So, it depends entirely on what you're looking for out of it (don't expect them to "rock the joint" in terms of volume and sound quality). That said, you basically have 2 options. If sound quality isn't your main concern, then move forward and figure out what you need to feed that Niles box (an amp or receiver and what kind of power it should have). To figure that out I would call Niles, there's a phone # on their website that I linked up above. Another option would be too eliminate that Niles box and get something like this http://www.parts-express.com/pyle-pt8000ch-19-rack-mount-8000-watt-8-ch-amplifier--310-2560 Ok, Thanks so Much for the advise. I'm sure they wont be great, but i would hope they would be adequate for playing some background music through the house better than my little stereo. I realized this morning looking at the wires there are 3 sets of yellow wires with the plugs on the ends for the niles box, and there are 3 cat 5 wires marked with the same rooms. though i've never seen a network connection in 2 of the rooms, they do have a phone outlet, and i have a network plug in the basement, which again doesn't appear to be connected to these. (I've never used any of these either) So I'll need to get these speakers figured out to see where is is all going. I do completely understand that they will most likely not be amazing, but they are here, i'd like to use them. Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mattsk8 Posted October 29, 2014 Report Share Posted October 29, 2014 I def understand that, and my wife would love something like that in our house even if they didn't sound all that amazing. So next step is to figure out what speakers they are and go from there. Let me know what you figure out, and I can also help you find a receiver or an amp based on what Niles tells you. I'm hoping they'll recommend something they sell, and if it's too much you could find something used for cheap that'll work. Or you could get that amp I linked, but you'd still need to know what speakers those are. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stormtrooper1 Posted October 29, 2014 Report Share Posted October 29, 2014 awesome. Thanks. We'll see about getting to cover off one of these speakers with out destroying the ceiling or speaker. I'll keep you posted. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
v4lve Posted October 29, 2014 Report Share Posted October 29, 2014 I'll respond more in full in a bit but my initial impression. You have a layup of sorts. Those phoenix connectors are from a speaker selector switch, specifically a Niles SS-4 which can split up to 4 pairs. The speakers are most likely Niles as well and those holes will likely be a similar cut-out to anything you may want to replace them with. As for what you drive them with, that's your call. It's also important to figure out how much value you place on different music playing in different locations - if any. If it's all the same to you then you'll need and receiver pretty much and any source. Hell, even an airport express would suffice if you're a part of the Apple eco-system. Something super cut and dry would be a Sonos connect + receiver + speaker selector in the closet and perhaps a sound bar and sub in the basement. Edit: Didn't see the hub - don't worry about speaker selector, just use volume controls existing. Take output from amp/receiver and plug leakers back into hub and away you go. provided piece is good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
v4lve Posted October 29, 2014 Report Share Posted October 29, 2014 Playtime with these on Firday Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mattsk8 Posted October 30, 2014 Report Share Posted October 30, 2014 Playtime with these on Firday You buy those?!! Very nice indeed!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
v4lve Posted October 30, 2014 Report Share Posted October 30, 2014 You buy those?!! Very nice indeed!! Someday, in a parallel universe - $18k a bit much lol Stereo I have being installed for a client. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mattsk8 Posted October 30, 2014 Report Share Posted October 30, 2014 (edited) Someday, in a parallel universe - $18k a bit much lol Stereo I have being installed for a client. What do you do?? Keep me posted on how they sound, I've never heard those KEFs before. Is it a music system or is he using them in a HT system? Or both music and HT? What's he driving them with?? Edited October 30, 2014 by mattsk8 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stormtrooper1 Posted October 30, 2014 Report Share Posted October 30, 2014 So I emailed niles, this was there response- Mike, As long as the volume controls are impedance matching and set correctly, you should use a 100w RMS amplifier stable to 4ohms. I suggest the Niles Si-2100 and will fit well into this system. Have a nice day. Niles Tech Support Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mattsk8 Posted October 30, 2014 Report Share Posted October 30, 2014 (edited) So I emailed niles, this was there response- Mike, As long as the volume controls are impedance matching and set correctly, you should use a 100w RMS amplifier stable to 4ohms. I suggest the Niles Si-2100 and will fit well into this system. Have a nice day. Niles Tech Support At this point I would just go to CL and find a decent used receiver that fits that power, I think you could find something easily for less than $100. Try to make sure it's just a stereo receiver and not a home theater receiver (if it says Dolby ProLogic don't get it). From there you can hook anything you want to that receiver (ipod, cd player, etc) and you'll already have a tuner if you listen to the radio. Actually I might go this route even though it is a HT receiver. It'll still work for what you're doing. http://www.ebay.com/itm/DENON-AVR-3200-RECEIVER-/361096362214?pt=Receivers_Tuners&hash=item54130538e6 Edited October 30, 2014 by mattsk8 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kampman Posted October 30, 2014 Report Share Posted October 30, 2014 (edited) Some nice gear in this thread. Right now I'm running: -Yamaha Natural Sound A-700 amp -Yamaha T-1000 tuner -Some Optiumus CD changer. It's not pretty but it gets the job done. -Thorens TD160Mk.1 w/Shure V15 III cartridge -Some big Sansui speakers from the 80s Right now I'm happy with everything except the speakers. They work but they're nothing special. Edited October 30, 2014 by kampman 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fudge_Brownie Posted October 30, 2014 Report Share Posted October 30, 2014 At this point I would just go to CL and find a decent used receiver that fits that power, I think you could find something easily for less than $100. Try to make sure it's just a stereo receiver and not a home theater receiver (if it says Dolby ProLogic don't get it).There's usually a few NAD 2channel options on CL at any given time. But mostly amps, not receivers.Why are you recommending against a HT receiver? Just because he'd likely be paying for features he doesn't need? Any HT receiver I've seen has a way to disable the processing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mattsk8 Posted October 30, 2014 Report Share Posted October 30, 2014 There's usually a few NAD 2channel options on CL at any given time. But mostly amps, not receivers. Why are you recommending against a HT receiver? Just because he'd likely be paying for features he doesn't need? Any HT receiver I've seen has a way to disable the processing. Mainly because the sound quality from a cheaper 90s Dolby PL receiver sucks even in 2 ch stereo mode, but that Denon I linked is actually a pretty solid receiver. And you're right, it definitely can disable the different sound fields and whatnot and just play in 2 ch stereo mode. Going with a used NAD, Adcom, etc would be good but the receiver route is the cheapest option. That Denon was $70 shipped Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
v4lve Posted October 30, 2014 Report Share Posted October 30, 2014 What do you do?? Keep me posted on how they sound, I've never heard those KEFs before. Is it a music system or is he using them in a HT system? Or both music and HT? What's he driving them with?? PM/estimator for residential a/v company. I'll definetely give you some feedback, should be an interesting speaker. Doesn't look quite up to its price point on paper and there's been few reviews to go off of but I'm holding strong on it going well in this particular room and how this guy listens to music. All Macintosh pretty much, sounds great so far with a pair of Snell C7's we put out on loan. c2500 pre mc452 amp mcd 550 cd/sacd men 220 room corrector (think audyssey on steroids) Couple digital inputs - mac mini marantz ud7007 blu-ray 75" 4k panel/smart hub laced together with mid-range kimber kable Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
v4lve Posted October 30, 2014 Report Share Posted October 30, 2014 Some nice gear in this thread. Right now I'm running: -Yamaha Natural Sound A-700 amp -Yamaha T-1000 tuner -Some Optiumus CD changer. It's not pretty but it gets the job done. -Thorens TD160Mk.1 w/Shure V15 III cartridge -Some big Sansui speakers from the 80s Right now I'm happy with everything except the speakers. They work but they're nothing special. Love that tt Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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