Planning Your In-Wall Speaker System – Home-Improvement
Planning Your In-Wall Speaker System
So you've finally decided to get your favorite music throughout your house. What's next? Where do you go from here? That depends upon your requirements and weather this will be an installation in an existing home or a music system in a new construction home.First, you need to decide which rooms you would like to install your speakers. The installation will obviously be much easier during construction than in an existing home. Once you make the decision on which rooms to include, you have two choices; in-wall or in-ceiling.In-ceiling speakers tend to draw less attention to themselves. In all but basic background music applications, in-wall speakers usually sound better, everything else being equal. In-wall speakers have other problems, however. They are usually harder to integrate aesthetically in the room. They also take up valuable wall space that can be used for art or furniture.Typically, round speakers are used for in-ceiling installations and rectangular speakers are used when installing in the wall. Round speakers integrate better with other ceiling fixtures, such as smoke detectors and recessed light cans, which tend to be round as well. In addition, because most round speakers have coaxially located drivers, you are the same distance from both no matter where you are in the room. This leads to more even frequency response throughout the room. Rectangular speakers tend be better suited to in-wall, rather than in-ceiling, applications.It is best to keep the speakers two feet or so from adjacent walls or other boundaries that can cause response problems. Optimally, in wall speakers should be at, or close to, ear level. Place in-ceiling speakers so they are symmetrical with ceiling fixtures and the room.Usually stereo pairs of speakers are used in each room. Another approach that works well is to sum the some signals into mono. You can then run the system in mono for most areas that use in-ceiling speakers. The mono approach allows you to get more uniform coverage, rather than standing under a speaker that is only playing the left channel for example.You can also use one speaker for areas like small bathrooms and still get both channels of the music. There are speakers with dual voice coils and inputs for both the left and right channels on a single speaker that are also used for this type of application. It can be demonstrated that the summed mono approach using a single, standard voice coil speaker usually sounds better, however.Multi-room speaker systems can be set up as single zone or multiple zone systems. In a single zone system, all the speakers play the same source. With a multi-zone audio system, the system is divided into two or more areas that can play different sources. This flexibility is really nice when different occupants want to listen to different music at the same time. For example, with a three zone system, you could listen to three different sources simultaneously in three different areas of your house.With a single zone system, it is still desirable to have independent volume control over each pair of speakers or to turn off any pair completely. This is accomplished by using a speaker level volume control for each room. These are usually a just round knob, although other styles, such as sliders, are used as well.Multi zone systems are usually controlled by some type of keypad, system remote control, or wall mounted touchscreen. Typically, there is one of these control interfaces for each zone. There is an old saying in racing "Speed costs money. How fast do you want to go?" So it is with multi zone music system controls. Control costs money. How much do you want?A standard knob style volume control is under $100. Step up to a keypad for more control and you are looking at $250 to $500. Touch screen controls offer the ultimate in simplicity and flexibility. In addition, touch screens allow feedback, such as volume, radio station, and music server information, to be displayed on the touch screen. Touch screen controls begin at about $500 and can go to $20,000 each, depending upon size and options. The more sophisticated controls allow you to turn on your music and choose sources from each room. It's as easy as turning on a light.Some of the more advanced controls can operate independently,while some require a central processor. If you are installing a multi zone system, you will need a multi room controller and amplifier. These can be integrated into one component or they can be separate pieces. Prices on these vary widely. It is better for most people to contact a professional custom installer for installation of these type of components.There are a number of decisions to make when planning your in-wall speaker system. Do you want single or multi zone? In-wall or in-ceiling? Both? What type of controls would you like? You can research these questions on your own or consult a qualified professional for assistance. With careful planning you will have a music system you can enjoy for years to come.Steve Faber has almost 15 years in the custom installation industry. He is a CEDIA certified designer and Installer 2 with certifications from both the ISF and THX. His experience spans many facets of the industry, from the trenches as an installer and control systems programmer, and system designer, to a business unit director for a specialty importer of high end audio video equipment, a sales rep for a large, regional consumer electronics distributor, and principal of a $1.5M+ custom installation firm. Steve is currently is senior sales engineer for Digital Cinema Design, a CEDIA member firm in Redmond, WA. He is on the web at The Home Theater and Automation Guide
Etiquette – An Essential Ingredient to Your Success As a Public Speaker – Public-Speaking
Etiquette - An Essential Ingredient to Your Success As a Public Speaker
Sadly, the public speaking circle has its fair share of individuals who think they have a right to be treated better than anyone else. Conventions of public speakers are quite a sight. It's like battle of the egos, and to be perfectly honest the really big names tend to stay away from such gatherings. I know of a number of speakers who at one time threw a tantrum or acted in a very demanding way while being paid to speak, word subsequently spread like wildfire, and they found themselves waiting a very long time before receiving any more bookings.So now that you've seen a clear picture of the negative side of things, let's talk about general etiquette and manners. If you are invited as a guest speaker, make an effort not to be demanding. Treat everyone courteously and with respect. Be aware that hotel staff are often overworked and they simply may not be able to react to your request for a jug of water as quickly as you would like. Build a reputation as being easy to work with and you will benefit greatly in the long run.Etiquette while on stage also deserves your consideration. Speak in a way that suits the circumstance and audience. Sometimes this may mean being very formal, addressing individuals as Sir, whereas other times it's preferable to be down to earth and colloquial in your speech and etiquette.It is the opinion of the author, and many other experienced speakers that bad language (swearing) is never acceptable. Even if you think the audience will be fine with it, you can be sure that you will offend someone, so it's just not worth it. Besides, swearing is usually used as a substitute for someone who has poor grammar. A person who avoids swearing will always be treated with more respect than someone who litters their presentation with expletives (even if it is done as part of a joke).If your presentation is a formal affair or you are being paid, it's a kindness to express thanks to everyone who has helped you. Commonly this includes the company that hired you to speak, the organisers, the technicians, and of course the audience for their attention. Don't draw this out into a long speech, a brief mention is all that is needed, and you can be sure that it goes a long way to all those concerned. Apart from being a common courtesy, it will cast you in a positive light and you'll be remembered for it.Paul Daniels is often described as The Johnny Carson of England. In his home country he is a household name due to his more than 20 years of prime-time TV shows that have been broadcast to 41 countries. Paul's course: The Stress Free Guide To Public Speaking and Presentations is the International best selling speaking course - visit: http://www.stressfreepublicspeaking.com for more information.
How to be a Great Speaker – Public-Speaking
How to be a Great Speaker
Did you know that great speakers are often nervous with butterflies in their stomach before giving a presentation? And there are many actors/actresses who can not speak to live audiences without cue cards. My 13 years as a professional speakers bureau owner allowed me to hear several thousand speakers give their presentations. Here are a few tips I learned from them.1. You want to be nervous. Get your butterflies to fly in formation. Some tension brings about a great speech. You usually don't look as nervous as you feel. Be prepared, be relaxed. Practice, practice, practice. Use visualization techniques. One speaker suggests that you curl your toes and get rid of your adrenalin. Get out of your head and in to your heart. Reduce nervousness with self talk.Your mantra might be - "I am a relaxed, confident speaker."2. Great presentations are well organized.Opening ? You have 60seconds to get their attention. So start with a great question, quote or short story. Tell 'em what you will tell them.Body ? Tell 'em. This is where you tell your 3-4 points supported by your stories.Closing ?Tell 'em what you told them. Give them a call to action. What is one idea they can use immediately? in seven days? in one month?There are basically two kinds of presentations ? Informative (to know) Persuasive (to do)Be sure you know what you want your audience to do as a result of your presentation.Ask. . . What do they need to know to do this? What do they need to feel to do this?Then provide 3-4 points in the body of your message and provide transitions between the points.3. Great speeches have great stories. Sprinkle them throughout your presentation. We delineate our thoughts visually and your audience needs to "see" what they "hear."4. Technology is just a tool. Do not be a master of ceremonies to your PowerPoint. It is not the presentation.Here are some guidelines to follow:Necessity - is this visual aid going to enhance the audience's understanding Clarity ? to help people understand Simplicity ? PowerPoint with words ? no more than five words per line and five lines per slide. Color ? color enhances the slide ? but only use a few (we're not talking about your kid's 300 Crayola box of crayons) Visibility ? keep it large and clear5. Your voice is the source of power. FDR, Martin Luther King, Churchill used the power of their voice. Remember people need to see what they hear. Slow down, add a pause, whisper . . .use your voice to change tones, be loud or soft as needed.6. Use your eyes ? to make contact with audience. Focus on one person at a time and all the other people will feel as if you are talking to them also. This will help you to connect with people and make them feel you are there for them.7. Interact ? provide your audience with short role plays or partnering exercises. This gives them an opportunity to practice what you are telling them to do. Give them an opportunity to tell someone about their challenge and get some feedback as to how to resolve it. Then they can walk out the door at the end of the program ready to think or act differently. This is what every great speaker wants!8. Join a fre*e Teleclass to learn how to speak like a pro on June 30, 2004 from 8-9 p.m. (EST) http://www.schrift.com/teleclasses/index.htm