HEOS Receiver or Sonos for whole home audio?

phillihp23

AV Addict
VIP Supporter
Thread Starter
Joined
Apr 14, 2017
Messages
1,650
Location
Washington, The West
I am considering installing in ceiling speakers in my house...for whole home streaming of music.
I would be running the speakers hardwire to a switch....but should i just hook up a denon receiver with HEOS to the switch....or a Sonos. What are the advantages / disadvantages?
 

Sonnie

Senior Admin
Staff member
Joined
Apr 2, 2017
Messages
5,055
Location
Alabama
More  
Preamp, Processor or Receiver
StormAudio ISP Elite 24 MK3 Processor
Main Amp
McIntosh MC1.25KW Monoblock Amps
Additional Amp
StormAudio PA 16 MK3
Computer Audio
Intel NUC w/ Roon ROCK
Universal / Blu-ray / CD Player
Panasonic UB9000 4K UHD Player (for media discs)
Front Speakers
RTJ 410
Center Channel Speaker
MartinLogan Focus C-18
Front Wide Speakers
JTR Neosis 110HT
Surround Speakers
JTR Neosis 210RT
Surround Back Speakers
JTR Neosis 210RT
Front Height Speakers
JTR Neosis 110HT-SL
Rear Height Speakers
JTR Neosis 110HT-SL
Subwoofers
JTR Captivator 2400 x6
Other Speakers or Equipment
VTI Amp Stands for the Monoblocks
Video Display Device
Sony 98X90L
Remote Control
Universal MX-890
Streaming Equipment
FireCube for movies and Lenova Carbon X1 for Roon
Streaming Subscriptions
Lifetime Roon Subscription
Tidal
qobuz
Netflix
Amazon Prime
Satellite System
Dish Joey 4K
Other Equipment
Zero Surge 8R15W-1 | Salamander Synergy Equipment Stand
I might be curious about this myself... as whole home audio might be nice. Maybe have some jazz playing in the background during the day... of course my wife would want it on SiriusXM - The Bridge.

We use two HEOS boxes at our shop... one on each end... linked together, and it sounds great, but that wouldn't be near as nice as ceiling speakers.
 

phillihp23

AV Addict
VIP Supporter
Thread Starter
Joined
Apr 14, 2017
Messages
1,650
Location
Washington, The West
I always wanted whole home audio...a visit to my sisters who has a system, all be it less than whole home ( 4 speakers) peaked my interest to persue it.
I just have so many questions on how the two systems work and what capabilities they have.

My sisters setup is four in-ceiling speakers wired to a Niles SSVC-4 and then the input is a Sonos.
The Niles acts as a switch for the speakers...the Sonos / amp I assume allows you to direct the music type (Sirius/amazon/apple etc.) wirelessly from a mobile device with the sonos app.
What else can you control with the sonos app. ? volume, which rooms the speakers are active in (or is this only by the Niles switch).
My initial application would be on the second floor of my house as it is most accessible from the attic space.

Option 1:

Niles SSVC-6 $300
6 in-ceiling speakers $600 (Polk 70RT)
Sonos (not even sure which model, very confusing, different models) $400 ? , amazon echo controllable, Sonos App controllable
It appears you would still require an amp of some sort also...sonos amp $500?

Option 2:
Niles SSVC-6 $300
6 in-ceiling speakers $600 (Polk 70RT)
Denon with HEOS S730H $220 (accessories for less), amazon echo controllable, HEOS App controllable

Part of the advantage of HEOS would be that I already have a Denon with HEOS on the first floor of my house and one on my outdoors patio. This would mean I can control the first floor and patio speakers with the HEOS APP also.
 
Last edited:

Sonnie

Senior Admin
Staff member
Joined
Apr 2, 2017
Messages
5,055
Location
Alabama
More  
Preamp, Processor or Receiver
StormAudio ISP Elite 24 MK3 Processor
Main Amp
McIntosh MC1.25KW Monoblock Amps
Additional Amp
StormAudio PA 16 MK3
Computer Audio
Intel NUC w/ Roon ROCK
Universal / Blu-ray / CD Player
Panasonic UB9000 4K UHD Player (for media discs)
Front Speakers
RTJ 410
Center Channel Speaker
MartinLogan Focus C-18
Front Wide Speakers
JTR Neosis 110HT
Surround Speakers
JTR Neosis 210RT
Surround Back Speakers
JTR Neosis 210RT
Front Height Speakers
JTR Neosis 110HT-SL
Rear Height Speakers
JTR Neosis 110HT-SL
Subwoofers
JTR Captivator 2400 x6
Other Speakers or Equipment
VTI Amp Stands for the Monoblocks
Video Display Device
Sony 98X90L
Remote Control
Universal MX-890
Streaming Equipment
FireCube for movies and Lenova Carbon X1 for Roon
Streaming Subscriptions
Lifetime Roon Subscription
Tidal
qobuz
Netflix
Amazon Prime
Satellite System
Dish Joey 4K
Other Equipment
Zero Surge 8R15W-1 | Salamander Synergy Equipment Stand
I would probably opt for the HEOS ... simply because I am familiar with their software and it's pretty easy to use. Several of us have the app on our phones to control it at our gun shop.
 

phillihp23

AV Addict
VIP Supporter
Thread Starter
Joined
Apr 14, 2017
Messages
1,650
Location
Washington, The West
So I am slowly moving forward with my Whole Home audio project.
I am implementing HEOS.
Today I just replaced my AVR in my living room. I installed a Denon AVR-X3500H with Heos built in.
I also installed a HEOS Amp in my what would traditionally be called a dining area, its a more laid back dining area with a table and bar.
My first floor of the house is open floor plan.
I am really enjoying it.
The outdoor patio has a Denon AVR S640H which I installed two years ago when I built my covered patio area.
Now for upstairs...the hometheater is all set as it has the X8500H installed.
The final push is the install of 10 in-ceiling speakers for rooms and spaces upstairs (still trying to decide what speakers to use). I will run them off a rack mounted HEOS Drive.

The AVR X3300W which I had in the living room is moving to the master bedroom to be hooked up to a GoldenEar soundbar and sub (second hand) arriving late next week. This should greatly enhance my audio for tv watching in the bedroom.
 
Top Bottom