Home Cinema

[Peter]

We're planning to create a home cinema with a large TV and 5.1 surround sound.

The TV will get it's input from a Matrix however, unsure whether to connect the audio to the Loxone music server / amp. Actually with six speakers I'm not sure this is even possible? Loxone documentation refers to connecting 4 speakers, but not 5.1 surround sound.

Any advice would be much appreciated,

[David Wallis]

If your doing 5.1 I wouldn’t use the loxone amp, as you will need something to decode the DTS which it wont do.

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[Tico]

If you're starting out setting up a home cinema, it would be worth checking out equipment that supports Dolby Atmos - 

https://www.jbl.com/soundbars/JBL+BAR+9.1+TWS-.html

https://www.whathifi.com/au/advice/dolby-atmos-what-it-how-can-you-get-it

Suffice to say, Loxone is fairly antiquated in these technology developments.

[Duncan]

you cant use 5/6 channels of your loxone music/amp with a matrix or av input as there is only a simple stereo line input to the music/amp, and the music/amp is very expensive per channel anyway

however there are a few options:

connect one of the music server line outputs into one of the matrix inputs (if it has an audio only input) and use the matrix remote to select the audio source (loxone music server)

use a relay controlled by loxone to swap 1/2 of the surround sound speakers between the av amp output and loxone audio amp output

use the av amp as a upnp external music device to the loxone music server (which is probably the easiest)
just add another speaker or 2 in the ceiling connected to the loxone server/amp just for music

[RSinn]

Forget 5.1 go for Atmos. We just did 5.4.1 the middle number being overhead speakers. We have a multichannel amp for whole house audio (like theloxone amp) and separate home cinema amp. That can take an input from loxone for music. Look at something like Yamaha a3090, although you can get cheaper (just check how many speaker terminals and wattage). Be careful with Atmos though as in my opinion the brand is getting weakened by Dolby trying to make a bit more cash and licensing the Atmos badge to soundbars. Yes they are wife friendly as there aren't the cables, but the whole point is fully surrounding sound which I struggle to find physics to explain how it can do this. The other thing is I presume you are running cable for other things whilst installing loxone, so run a load of speaker cables even if you can't afford all the speakers today. Fwiw we used monitor audio speakers and they sound fantastic. Rel T9 for the sub.

Another thing is TV choice. Having lived with a projector for 7 years I went back to TV. Projectors are great at night but when you just want to watch a bit of TV with your cornflakes you don't want to draw the curtains. Also didn't bother with oled. Yes they look great but probably need a few more years to bring the price down and get everyone on the Sony processing bandwagon to get rid of the judder. No point having a great picture that judders so the processing chip is important. So went for top end Sony non-oled and it's great. Really good blacks which everyone bangs on about, no judder and saved over £1000.

Sorry that was a bit of a brain dump!

[Tomasz Nowak]

Fully agree with RSinn on audio. TV is a matter of preference, I went 65" LG C9 (ultra thin OLED) and it's an amazing performer for a decent price.

[tarun]

We kept the home cinema separate as well and are running 7.4.1 audio with in-walls and in-ceilings. 

Since I am using musicserver4lox, I can use the external player function there to integrate a standard Denon receiver without too much problem.

It works and works simply.

[Aaron]

I'm using the loxone music server / amp with an additional Yamaha amp for the surround sound / home cinema.

The loxone music server has an output into the Yamaha amp and I swap between sources using the MusicCast api (thanks to Duncan for that recommendation!)

Simple and works very well.

[Peter]

Thank you for the comments, brain dumps are great by the way!

This sound bar is quite pricey, however gets rave reviews and won’t need an Amp nor speakers all over the place with their wiring requirements.

https://en-uk.sennheiser.com/ambeo-soundbar

If we go for this option will need to make sure it will connect to the Loxone music server.