Audio over network

[nathan]

Hi All,

 

I have a requirement to music playing in the corridors, i've heard some schools using Sonos to do this but i'd rather use ceiling speakers. I'd like to run these speakers over Cat6.

 

Is there a way to do this over an IP network utilising POE and allowing you to install normal speakers?

 

EDIT: After a bit of Googling, i've just found the term to be called AoIP. New one on me!

Edited May 20, 2019 by nathan

[TomHD]

Hi All,

 

I have a requirement to music playing in the corridors, i've heard some schools using Sonos to do this but i'd rather use ceiling speakers. I'd like to run these speakers over Cat6.

 

Is there a way to do this over an IP network utilising POE and allowing you to install normal speakers?

 

Could these work for you? https://www.amazon.co.uk/Stereo-Audio-Cable-Extender-Required-Black/dp/B013WMPAP2

 

They claim to deliver line audio up to 100m without additional power

 

Just noticed your POE statement... so you are wanting to power the speakers using POE and deliver the audio over CAT6?

[nathan]

Could these work for you? https://www.amazon.co.uk/Stereo-Audio-Cable-Extender-Required-Black/dp/B013WMPAP2

 

They claim to deliver line audio up to 100m without additional power

 

Just noticed your POE statement... so you are wanting to power the speakers using POE and deliver the audio over CAT6?

 

Pretty open to be honest. It would make it easier if it was over the IP network as it means sources could come from anywhere.

[bald_pig]

You can get IP speakers, not cheap though!

https://www.valcom.co.uk/product-category/paging/ip-speakers/

[3s-gtech]

Wouldn't a 100-volt speaker system be cheaper to implement? Would need cabling in just the same, but a much more standard setup. That's what most large shops, schools, leisure centres etc use.

[nathan]

Wouldn't a 100-volt speaker system be cheaper to implement? Would need cabling in just the same, but a much more standard setup. That's what most large shops, schools, leisure centres etc use.

I already have data cabling in. Was seeing if i could get away with having to cable again.

[TomHD]

Powering the speakers will be the tricky/expensive part. Do you have mains power nearby to the speakers?

[synaesthesia]

Unifi do their Edu AP's which have speakers built in if you use that at all?

[nathan]

Unifi do their Edu AP's which have speakers built in if you use that at all?

 

It's an option as we are currently looking to replace the ageing wifi system, haven't used them before. Anyone know what the audio quality is like?

[Rob_D]

We've just had Bodet tannoy/alarm system installed. This would do what you want. All their speakers are POE can be centrally managed from server software and will play mp3 and wav files fine (not tried any other file types).

 

Those unifi speaker/aps look cool though!

[nathan]

We've just had Bodet tannoy/alarm system installed. This would do what you want. All their speakers are POE can be centrally managed from server software and will play mp3 and wav files fine (not tried any other file types).

 

Those unifi speaker/aps look cool though!

 

Thanks, will investigate. Do you know if you can use any type of music streaming service with the Bodet system?

[Rob_D]

Thanks, will investigate. Do you know if you can use any type of music streaming service with the Bodet system?

 

If you have the control software installed on a machine with an audio-out (so basically not a virtual server) then the PC audio-out can be taken as a streamed input. From there as long as it plays on the computer it will come out of the bodet speakers.

[TomHD]

The speakers in the Unifi APs are OK, a bit gutless but I imagine you're not wanting to put on a rave in the corridors

[nathan]

The speakers in the Unifi APs are OK, a bit gutless but I imagine you're not wanting to put on a rave in the corridors

 

It could wake the children up on a monday morning

[speakercon]

I've achieved a similar thing here for music/announcements around the school by running a length of cat5 from the edge cabs in each block back to the server room and using a pair of audio over cat5 adapters to distribute the line level audio. In each cab they then connect to a 100V line amplifier and then in turn feed a string of daisy chained 100v speakers. There's a mixer in the server room that all the amps are fed from and the audio feed and SIP tannoy adapter connect to.

[smalls001]

Instreamer connects to an audio source, windows media streaming server, phone, or a mixing desk. This encoders the audio to travel to the exstreamer.

 

https://www.barix.com/solutions/live-encoding-and-audio-streaming/instreamer/

 

 

Exstreamer P5 is a POE receiver from audio from the instreamer. This can connected to audio speakers or amp through phone lead.

 

https://www.barix.com/audio-products/exstreamer-family/barix/Product/show/exstreamer-p5/?tx_wvbrxproducts_barixproductslist%5Bbutton%5D=1&cHash=b99e70904ffc9419e3a4e65bfd4f1efc

 

Hope this helps

[BroganOs]

I installed the unifi edu ap/speakers a year ago any they have yet to be used. You have to use an app in your smart phone to make announcements and there is no native way of piping music through them.

 

If someone else has figured it out let me know!

[SamanthaD]

Monacor have some nice looking PoE speakers that receive Dante (AoIP). Set up either a Dante input device or a PC with Dante Virtual Soundcard and you're good to go.

[pslater]

+1 for Bodet and it can be justified financially as it is a lockdown system too.