Choosing a System

It's easy to set up a multi-room audio system that can be controlled wirelessly through your Wi-Fi network using smart devices - especially if your speaker cables are "home-run" to a single location.

But is a Dueta system right for you, or is a more Entry-Level system just fine?

An Entry-Level system establishes zones by requiring one music streamer for every room or “zone” of speakers. The zone is limited by what can be played through the streamer. For smaller homes with only a handful of rooms, this is sometimes enough.

In contrast, zones in a Dueta system are established by a professional whole-house audio controller. Any device that outputs audio, including streamers, can be connected to a whole-house audio controller and every zone can independently select from these sources. The advantages of this architecture are summarized below.

If you are anxious about installing a more advanced system, don't be. Connection time is minimal and thousands of HTD customers have discovered the benefits of upgrading to one of these more advanced systems.

Here’s what you have to gain from using a Dueta system:

• Only one music streamer is needed for each unique “stream” and with a Dueta system you can share that stream, simultaneously and in sync, with as many rooms as you’d like.  Since streamers continue to evolve, it's best to purchase only the quantity you currently need. At any time, you can add more or replace with the latest and greatest options available.
• With an entry-level system, every zone/streamer is available to everyone with access to your Wi-Fi network. With Dueta, you can customize which rooms and which sources are available on a per-user basis. Do you really want to let your kids and guests listen to what's playing on your bedroom TV?
• In addition to the latest streamers, easily connect traditional audio sources like CD players, turntables, and TVs at the central location and share them throughout the home. Virtually anything that outputs audio can be connected.

• The User Experience (UX) with the Dueta App is simply far better.  The app allows you to control every room and customize your home in ways simply not possible with an entry-level system.  The single-page home screen for the Dueta app is alone a much better interface for viewing and controlling every room in your home. More advanced features also make using the system more efficient and enjoyable.  As an example, Presets are custom audio scenes across multiple rooms in the home that can be recalled with a single button press in the Dueta app, or with a home automation platform (Alexa, Google Home, Siri Shortcuts).  With an Entry Level system, you have to set up each room one-by-one, every time.

• Dueta includes the OPTION to add wall-mounted control pads using a dedicated Cat 5 or higher cable run between each control panel and the central location. Just as it’s often easiest to turn off a smart light with a switch on the wall, sometimes a wall-mounted control panel is more convenient than the app alone. And, heaven forbid your Wi-Fi glitches, you still have a way to control your audio.
  
• Save money with Dueta.  Once you move beyond 4 or 5 rooms, a Dueta Whole-House Audio system is typically less expensive.

Our expert support reps are available for free Monday-Friday, 8am-6pm Central (non-holidays) to ensure your installation is a success. If you are building or renovating a house, take advantage of our FREE "Upload Your Plans" service to receive a whole-house audio plan that you and/or your builder can use as a guide.