How does whole-home audio work?

Whole-home audio puts one music source in several rooms at once, or a different song in each. It works in one of two ways: wireless speakers that join your Wi-Fi network and are controlled from a phone app, or a wired system with a central amplifier and speaker wire running to in-wall or in-ceiling speakers. Most people can set up the wireless kind themselves.

The two designs

Wireless (networked) speakers. Each speaker has its own amplifier and plugs into a wall outlet. It connects to your home network, and an app on your phone tells each speaker what to play. Because they sit on the network, you can group rooms to play the same song or split them to play different ones. Adding a room means buying one more speaker and plugging it in.

Wired (central amplifier) systems. A multi-zone amplifier or receiver sits in a closet, rack or media cabinet. Speaker wire runs from it to a pair of speakers in each room, usually in the ceiling or wall, and often to a keypad or app for each zone. The sources, such as a streaming player or a TV, plug into the amplifier. A wired system looks tidy, but the cable has to be routed through the house, which is the expensive part.

Many homes mix the two: a wired system in the main living areas and a plug-in speaker in a bedroom or garage.

What every system needs

• Sources. A phone, streaming service, TV or turntable feeding the system.
• Amplification. Inside each wireless speaker, or in one central box for a wired system.
• Speakers. Free-standing, or built into walls and ceilings.
• Control. An app, remote or wall keypad for choosing the source, the rooms and the volume.
• A solid home network. Wireless speakers depend on it. If rooms drop out, the fix is often better Wi-Fi coverage; how to get good Wi-Fi in every room of the house covers it.

What the wiring involves in Virginia

Speaker wire is low-voltage wiring. Virginia's building code lists among the work that needs no permit the installation of wiring and equipment that (i) operates at less than 50 volts,^[1] but not when it is "located in a plenum, penetrate fire rated or smoke protected construction."^[1] That exception matters for in-wall runs, so ask your locality if the cable will pass through fire-rated construction or a plenum space.

Running cable inside walls is a different job from placing speakers. It means drilling through framing, fishing wire past insulation and house wiring, and patching drywall. How to run Ethernet cable through walls describes the same challenge for network cable.

On licences, DPOR's consumer guide says that if the work is valued at $1,000 or more, a valid Virginia contractor's license is required for the license category.^[2] Virginia's specialty definition covers the installation, repair, improvement, or removal of electronic or communications systems annexed to real property including telephone wiring, computer cabling, sound systems.^[3] That includes a contractor who installs a wired audio system.

Stop and call a pro if

• The plan means cutting into walls or ceilings to run cable or mount speakers.
• Any cable would pass through fire-rated construction or a plenum. The permit exemption does not cover it.
• You need a new outlet or circuit for an amplifier or rack. That is electrical work.
• The job is valued at $1,000 or more. Virginia then requires a licensed contractor.
• Rooms keep dropping out and better Wi-Fi does not fix it.

Getting help in Virginia

For prices, read how much whole-home audio costs in Virginia, and for deciding who does what, should I hire an audio installer for in-ceiling speakers. Browse security and smart home answers or Security & Smart Home pros.

When you want a wired system, describe your whole-home audio job once and licensed local pros quote it.