Whole House Audio Technology and Distribution Online

Course Description

Complete instruction on the possibilities, benefits, technology, design, and installation of whole house music systems for residential installers/integrators, builders, developers, contractors, and real estate professionals.

Home audio systems are much more complicated than a simple stereo system these days, and this course teaches what students need to know to understand and install complex whole house audio systems. Low-, mid-, and high-end whole house installation possibilities are reviewed, as well as important safety considerations, standards, and codes that must be followed during installation.

Students are taught the basic physics of sound and acoustics, though the course is very practical in nature, focused on how to successfully design and install whole house audio systems. Source electronics, control electronics, and speakers are explain in great detail, as are the necessary wiring schematics to tie the system together. Special attention is paid to component selection based on calculated performance requirements and homeowner specifications (for both indoor and outdoor applications). Both new construction and retrofit installations are considered, with a clear process outlined for each situation. Finally, testing and troubleshooting methodologies are provided to ensure a successful installation.

Informative text, detailed color diagrams, and engaging case studies make learning distributed audio efficient and enjoyable. Special In Depth articles provide deeper background and technical information on critical topics, and Project Management Tips coach installers on good management practices. An online Glossary provides ready access to definitions of key terms.

The course is divided into 11 training modules – each module ends with a quiz, and a comprehensive test at the end of the course allows students to demonstrate their newfound knowledge of whole house audio systems.  After completion of this course, students are prepared for hands on, product specific training in a training center or on a job site.  Three months access to this course.

Prerequisites

Students should be familiar with the operation of a basic stereo system and have basic knowledge of structured wiring (see the Fundamentals of Structured Wiring Online Course for more information).

Course Learning Objectives

– To understand the four phases involved in installing a whole house audio system in a new construction project

– To know the three phases involved in installing a whole house audio system in a retrofit project

– To know the four steps to follow when planning the installation of the whole house audio system

– To understand the specific steps involved in the pre-wire, trim-out, and final installation phases of installation

Course Outline

1. Course Introduction

• System Requirements
• Navigating the Course
• Course Learning Objectives

2. Introducing Whole House Audio

• Multi-Source
• Multi-Room
• Multi-Zone
• Single Source - Single Zone
• Single Source - Multi-Zone
• Multi-Source - Multi-Zone
• Whole House Audio System Components

3. Benefits of Whole House Audio

• Convenience
• Lifestyle Enhancement
• Consistency of Performance
• Unobtrusiveness
• Aesthetics
• Centralized Control
• Ease of Use
• Access to a Variety of Source Material

4. Safety and Tools

• Safety Rules
• Planning Tools
• Rough-in Tools
• Trim-out Tools
• Testing Tools

5. The Basics of Sound

• Watts, Decibels and Sound Level
• Manaural, Stereo and Surround Sound
• Understanding With Room Acoustics

6. Whole House Audio Components and Speakers

• Source Electronics
• Amplifiers
• Control Electronics
• Types of Speakers
• Keypad and Volume Controls

7. Amplifier Performance Fundamentals

• How Amplifiers Work
• Evaluating Amplifier Performance
• Evaluating Speaker Performance
• Amplifier and Speaker Calculations

8. Audio System Wiring

• Wire Types and Uses
• Serial Speaker
• Wiring
• Parallel Speaker Wiring

9. Volume Control

• Volume Control Types
• Controlling Volume in the Zone
• Controlling Volume and Sources With Keypads

10. Designing a Whole House Audio System

• Steps in the Design Process
• Types and Locations of Speakers
• Understanding How Components Work Together
• Documentation
• Whole House Audio System Examples

11. Installing Whole House Audio

• Site Walk-through
• Pre-wiring
• Trim-Out
• Final Installation
• Final Documentation
• Training the Customer

12. Troubleshooting Whole House Audio

• System Wide Troubleshooting
• Equipment Troubleshooting
• IR Troubleshooting

13. Course Summary

14. FINAL TEST