Podcast #1240: Ara's New Home Design (Network, Smart Home, and AV)

On this week's show we discuss the details of Ara's new home's layout offering his perspectives on his choices for network, home theater, whole home audio and smart home functionality. We also read your emails and take a look at the week's news.

News:

• Kodak Luma 500 - Review
• Launch date, channel list for YouTube TV sports plan revealed
• Sony, the pioneer of Blu-ray Disc recorders, to pull plug on sales
• Price concerns remain the leading reason for streaming cancelations

Other:

• IKEA Smart Home Without Dirigera: Homey Pro, Home Assistant, HomeKit, Google, Alexa & Aqara

Ara's New Home Design (Network, Smart Home, and AV)

Last week Ara was out in Franklin TN meeting with electricians and security contractors to prewire his house with everything he needs to make adding smart home devices and A/V a snap. So what did he do? But first an email from longtime listener Jorge Beltran with some recommendations.

Jorge's email

Guys:

I am listening to the latest episode on a train delay in freezing NJ. I heard the question about sound bar vs 3.1 system vs full surround.

I advocate that if money permits and a remodel situation allows it, I would significantly recommend trying to install 5.1, 7.2, or you name it.

I have a full theater with 11.2 in the basement that we enjoy and I adore. But we keep watching more and more in the family room next to the kitchen for whatever reason. And I do enjoy a lot having a surround setup there too and kept adding to it (it was pre wired on a remodel). There was a high WAF in that room, so I went with in-walls for fronts and in-ceiling for rear surround and a couple more for front ATMOS. Yes, the surrounds and ceiling speakers are not at the ideal locations but they really, really add to the experience, even for the super bowl ambiance.

A friend of mine just upgraded his whole house and used KEF on-walls, very thin, good looking, placed a bit higher and almost looked like a decoration in a more contemporary home. The wife gave them a big approval. I checked after looking at my wife's face but are out of my price range.

For you Ara, another friend, a latin party guy, installed 6 speakers on vaulted ceilings in the family room next to a kitchen and surrounded by windows, and they work really great.

Thus, my vote for Ara is to add ceiling speakers on his vault for surround effects. Ask the builder to wire them and box them out like a traditional speaker and place them on the rafters. You build so many speaker boxes already, this one can be made of MDF. Even better, build your own speaker out of parts, install it on the rafters just below the sheetrock, add a grill and you have the best sounding and looking in-walls ever.

Last one, a builder friend just added in walls / in ceilings that go behind the sheetrock. I have not seen them yet. No excuses gents.

Sending a CafPow for the extra spackle.

Jorge

Ara's Setup

• Wifi and Network decision - Ubiquiti Dream Wi-Fi 6 $350 & Ubiquiti Networks UniFi 7 Pro Access Point (POE) $180
• Cameras, doorbell, motion sensors - Aqara 4MP Camera Hub G5 Pro PoE $190 & Aqara Smart Doorbell Camera G410 $130 & Aqara Presence Sensor FP2, mmWave Radar Wired Smart Motion Sensor $58
• Light switches - Lutron Caseta Original Smart Dimmer Switch Kit w/ Hub $115. I am only having the company install one or two, I will do the rest as I learn our new routine and decide which switches need automation. I will make use of lamp modules as I prefer those types of lights to recessed lights.
• Whole Home Audio - Ara to build/buy speakers and connect to the network via ethernet cables using WiiM Amp: Multiroom Streaming Amplifier $300
• TV and Home Theater - For the family room I will use a large format TV with a soundbar. Right now I am leaning towards Sonos Beam Gen 2 and their wireless subwoofer (Sonos Sub 4 $760). For my theater in an upstairs den I will do a traditional setup with atmos. It will consist of an UST, Receiver, and 7.1.2 speakers. Eventually I will build out a more formal theater in the basement. If I live long enough LOL
• No traditional Cable RG6