Skip to content
Homebuilders Association VancouverHomebuilders Association Vancouver
Homebuilders Association Vancouver
  • Find a Professional
    • Builders
    • Renovators
    • Products/Services
  • About
    • Who We Are
      • Meet The Team
      • Board of Directors
      • Committees
      • Charities Supported
      • Honourary Members
    • What We Do
      • Industry Education
      • Consumer Education
      • Government Relations
      • News
      • Newsletters
    • Contact
      • General
      • Media Inquiries
      • Issue Resolution
  • Resources
    • Consumer Resources
      • Ready to Build
      • Ready to Buy
      • Ready to Renovate
      • Industry Links
    • Member Resources
      • Industry Education
      • Builder Licensing
      • RenoMark
      • Building Standards
      • Builders’ Blog
      • Careers in Construction
      • Find a Job
  • Events
    • Consumer Events
      • Homebuyer Forum
      • BC Home + Garden Show – Ask the Experts
      • Home Reno Show
      • Vancouver Fall Home Show – Ask the Experts
      • Parade of Homes
      • Virtual Parade of Homes
      • Coats For Kids
    • Member Events
      • Upcoming Events
      • Buildex
      • HAVAN Members Expo
      • Ovation Awards
      • Fall Classic Golf Tournament
      • Legends of Housing
  • Membership
    • Join Now
    • Benefits of Joining
    • Affinity Program
    • Committees
    • Sponsorship Opportunities
    • Advertise With Us
    • Industry Awards
    • Code of Ethics
    • FAQ
    • Member’s Only Page
 
Login

Join Us

  • Find a Professional
    • Builders
    • Renovators
    • Products/Services
  • About
    • Who We Are
      • Meet The Team
      • Board of Directors
      • Committees
      • Charities Supported
      • Honourary Members
    • What We Do
      • Industry Education
      • Consumer Education
      • Government Relations
      • News
      • Newsletters
    • Contact
      • General
      • Media Inquiries
      • Issue Resolution
  • Resources
    • Consumer Resources
      • Ready to Build
      • Ready to Buy
      • Ready to Renovate
      • Industry Links
    • Member Resources
      • Industry Education
      • Builder Licensing
      • RenoMark
      • Building Standards
      • Builders’ Blog
      • Careers in Construction
      • Find a Job
  • Events
    • Consumer Events
      • Homebuyer Forum
      • BC Home + Garden Show – Ask the Experts
      • Home Reno Show
      • Vancouver Fall Home Show – Ask the Experts
      • Parade of Homes
      • Virtual Parade of Homes
      • Coats For Kids
    • Member Events
      • Upcoming Events
      • Buildex
      • HAVAN Members Expo
      • Ovation Awards
      • Fall Classic Golf Tournament
      • Legends of Housing
  • Membership
    • Join Now
    • Benefits of Joining
    • Affinity Program
    • Committees
    • Sponsorship Opportunities
    • Advertise With Us
    • Industry Awards
    • Code of Ethics
    • FAQ
    • Member’s Only Page
October 16, 2018
  • Blog, New homes, Renovating, Renovations / Renovating
  • Renovations / Renovating
  • Using a professional

Music Makes the Home

Modern brick home design with spacious upstairs living room

Music is core to our being.  Homes filled with music are filled with more laughter, more love and more family togetherness.  Everyday tasks like cooking and cleaning become more enjoyable and your gatherings will never be the same!  But where should you start and what should you demand from any audio solution being built into your new home?

Modern home with open space living room with beach view

Proper planning can save you time and money while facilitating the level of home entertainment experience you want.  Good doesn’t have to be expensive but it does have to be done right which means well-planned, sounds great and easy to use.  So, let’s talk about how to do it right.

Why is this important to plan?  Anyone can can put music into every room but unless you plan it properly, how will you play the same music in every room or broadcast the big game all over the house?  Audio Insider tip: You also save a lot of money planning well in advance!

White and grey style living room with symmetrical furniture layout

To start, you will need to decide which rooms are primary (critical) listening rooms and which are not.  Typical primary spaces are the kitchen, living room, dining room and master bedroom but if you like to garden you might want music in your backyard or deck, if you like to work on your classic car you might appreciate music in the garage.

You will also need to decide which speakers to use.  In order for in-ceiling speakers to do their job properly you will need to select the correct size.  6” speakers for shorter ceilings, for ceilings 9 feet and over use 8” speakers.  I always recommend brand name speakers, don’t cut corners here – this has the biggest impact on your end result.  Cheap speakers save you money in the short term but leave you with an end result which is neither inspiring nor immersive!  Audio Insider Tip: instead of using larger speakers in the kitchen, look for speakers which match the lighting and help balance the look of the room.

You will also need an amplifier to power your speakers and a streaming source or Bluetooth.  Brands like Sonos, BlueSound and Heos all excel in this space.  Steer clear of speaker selectors and volume control knobs, these are ugly and significantly degrade sound quality.  Audio Insider Tip: a higher gauge of speaker wire will ensure a better sound from your new speakers, pick at least 14/2 for the best sound!

The last consideration is how you will control the music in your home.  While there are some expensive automation solutions out there, simple is better and using a simple app will get you the results you want.  You can even add voice control to your home and start your music with the power of your voice!

It’s easy to add music to your new home.  Planning ahead for a great experience will help create an awesome space full of music, laughter and memories.  Whether you are using a dedicated consultant or speaking to your favourite salesperson at your local audio store, make sure you know what to look for and what to ask for.  Your home should sound as good as it looks!

 

BIOGRAPHY

Mike Freedman Director of Business Development for Hi Fi Centre

Mike has a face for radio but an ear for music!

Mike Freedman

  • Founder of Audio Insider & Director of Business Development for Hi Fi Centre, one of North America’s premier audio companies
  • One of the founding fathers of Sonos Canada and over a decade working with Sonos
  • Worked for many top audio brands including Beats, Skull Candy, Polk Audio, Tannoy, PMC, Onkyo, Linn, Sennheiser, Mitsubishi, Parasound, Lab Gruppen, Monster and many others
  • When not working or listening to music Mike loves boating and being on the water
  • Lives in South Surrey BC, married with 3 young kids, 2 black labs and a grumpy cat

 

 

 

 

Post navigation

PreviousPrevious post:Global Inspiration for Your Vancouver Custom Home DesignNextNext post:How to Make Your Home Look Stunning All The Time

Related Posts

Shower with marble stone bench inside
COMFORT IN ENERGY EFFICIENCY HOMES
December 10, 2018
oddly shaped house with tree standing in the middle of front yard
ALL DECKED OUT FOR WINTER
December 7, 2018
large television shelf with drawers and cabinets
LIGHT, LOCAL AND BUILT-IN MAKES SPACE FOR A NEW CONDO
December 7, 2018
zig zag house design with large windows and sunroof
Creating an Ultra Modern Home
December 7, 2018
Fortis BC column ad
Solutions to Help Reduce Energy Use this Winter.
November 25, 2018
TO BE BLUNT: NAVIGATING CANNABIS USE IN THE WORKPLACE
October 22, 2018
Our Members Speak
  • The HAVAN provides strong leadership.  HAVAN leaders are often in the news and you find their consistent presence in the media.  Read more...

    Larry Clay, President
  • “Being able to network with countless professionals throughout the construction industry is invaluable.” Read more...

    Janice Pynn, CEO
  • “The bulk of my business comes from fellow HAVAN members, and every year, my membership pays for itself–usually by February”. Read more...

    Martin Knowles, Owner, photographer
  • It is my pleasure to say our decision to recently join HAVAN has been the best marketing money we have spent in 30 years in business. Read more...

    Brian Jenkins, Owner
  •   We think that HAVAN is a must for any builder, renovator or industry supplier and trade that wants to grow and improve their business. Read more...

    David Babakaiff, Owner
Featured Members

Join the Homebuilders Association Vancouver

Become a Member
Consumer Links
  • Find a Builder
  • Find a Renovator
  • Find Products/Services
  • Events
  • About Us
Member Links
  • Membership
  • Industry Education
  • Events
  • Members Only
Contact Info

T: 778-565-4288
F: 778-565-4289

#1011 – 7445 132 Street,
Surrey, BC V3W 1J8
Canada

Contact Us

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • G+
  • Houzz
  • Flickr
  • YouTube
  • LinkedIn
Social Footer Links

Copyright © 2019 Homebuilders Association Vancouver. All rights reserved.
Serving all 23 municipalities in Metro Vancouver: Vancouver, West Vancouver, Bowen Island, Lions Bay, North Vancouver (city and district), Richmond, Burnaby, New Westminster, Coquitlam, Port Moody, Port Coquitlam, Anmore, Belcarra, Surrey, Delta, White Rock, Tsawwassen, Langley (city and township), Maple Ridge, Pitt Meadows.

Website by Red Rocket Creative Strategies

SEO Support by Jelly Marketing