The QED Systemline Modular system is completely different to all other multi-room audio systems because it uses active speakers
and the only cable it requires is category 5e ethernet cable. This concept allows you to pre-wire your home with low cost
cable and then build and add to your audio system over a period of time.
This allows you to distribute up to 6 audio sources
in up to 6 or 8 rooms/zones, with a true 10 watts per channel RMS output at each speaker. Each of these rooms can have 2
additional independently controlled subzones. Each zone can have a local input facility, so that PCs and portable
CD or MP3 players can be connected and played through the in-ceiling speakers.
Systemline Modular offers unprecedented flexibility, whilst maintaining full interconnectivity. The system knows
what each part of its component parts is doing, including its exact status. For example, if a ceiling speaker receives a command
to switch to a local input, it will change its display accordingly. It will also tell the keypad in that zone to do the
same.
There are three main configurations of the QED Systemline Modular:
- Single audio source to up to 6 zones (rooms) plus sub zones
- Multiple audio sources (6) to up to 8 zones (rooms) plus sub zones
- Mulitple audio and video sources (6) to up to 8 zones (rooms) plus sub zones
In order to help you make a selection we have priced up, at the foot of this page, a range of complete systems. However, this is a modular system and
it can be configured to meet your specific needs. If you would like a particular system not shown below please call us
with your requirements.
The Systemline Modular system consists of a few key components:
- Central hub: A hub is required for all installations featuring 2 or more zones. It is designed to be screwed to the wall or contained
within a patch panel such as the HomeCabling panel
- Active speaker pair or zone amplifier with passive speakers
- Control system
- Audio source input and IR relay system
- Power supply unit
Central Hub
Single source hub
This outputs to 6 zones, and allows you to connect the source either directly via the stereo phono input or over
Cat5e cable from a remotely located source using the CIM or Coolport (see below). Power is from a single PSM130 power supply
providing 130 watts of power for the system and active speakers.
This hub is compatible with the HomeCabling mini patch panel.
Multi-source audio hub (AM8)
The AM8 multi-source hub allows you to input 6 audio sources to 6 zones using the standard PSM130 power supply. By
adding an extra PSM130 it is possible to drive an extra 2 zones, ie 6 sources to 8 zones. Audio sources are connected to
the hub using the Multiple Input Module (MIM) see below.
This hub is compatible with the HomeCabling patch panel. shown right.
Video hub (VM8)
This is an 'add-on' to the multi-source hub and permits you to distribute up to 6 video sources attached to the
audio sources, to the 8 zones. This is ideal, for example, if you want to distribute Sky or Freeview around your home. If you have
your music on a computer or hard disc player, eg SoundServer it allows you to see the menu structure for music selection.
(By using an aerial splitter and multiple TV tuner such as the Scion Pro6020 and Pro6010 respectively, you could distribute
terrestrial TV around the home directly to plasma screens or LCD monitors and avoid the need for each to have a
built-in TV tuner.)
Active speakers or Zone Amplifier Module with passive speakers
The normal arrangement of the Systemline Modular system is to use pairs of in-ceiling speakers.
Each pair of speakers is made up of one speaker with the amplifier attached and one conventional
speaker (ALM2/IR). For bathrooms where there is insufficient room for a pair of speakers, a single active speaker can be
purchased and used in 'mono mode'(SLM2/IR). The active speakers can be purchased with a built-in IR sensor (eg ALM2IR)
or without (eg ALM2).
Systemline Modular uses the professionally balanced line standard for transmitting the audio. This ensures
almost perfect signal transmission and provides high immunity to noise and electromagnetic interference. The active speakers
with their perfectly matched Class D digital amplifier to drive arrangement, make excellent use of this high quality signal.
Systemline Modular uses an extremely efficient design, so that when in standby or in use, it does not waste energy
and is extremely cool running. No special provision needs to be made for ventilation when installing this system.
Zone Amplifier Module
As an alternative to this system of active speakers, in each zone you can use a pair of conventional passive speakers together
with a Zone Ampifier Module (ZAM). The ZAM has an RJ45 socket to connect to the central hub using Cat5e cable and outputs to the speakers
using normal speaker cable. The ZAM is designed to be mounted under a shelf, on a wall or even in the ceiling void, and
has a small separate IR sensor that plugs into the ZAM and responds
in the same way as the sensor on a keypad. Connected speakers must have an impedance of 4 Ohms minimum. This does mean that you can have two pairs
of normal 8 Ohm speakers attached to the ZAM for larger rooms.
Retro-fit If you have an ethernet home network, using a ZAM linked to free standing speakers and plugged into a data point
in each listening room allows you to
retro-fit a multiroom audio system back to the hub without extra wiring!
You can add a local source input such as an MP3 player, CD player or PC, to the ZAM using a connecting cable terminating in
a 3.5mm stero jack plug. Click here for a lead to suit equipment with
phono outputs and here for a 3.5mm to 3.5mm lead for MP3 or PC.
Three power options are possible for the ZAM, giving different speaker outputs:
- Power from the main hub, ie as if it were a normal speaker, gives 10 Watts per channel
- Power from a local PSM45, gives 22 Watts per channel*
- Power from a PSM130 located near the hub, gives 22 Watts per channel
(*The local PSM45 can mean a dedicated power source located near the hub and delivered over Cat5e cable.)
Control System
This takes two forms; you can either opt to have an Infra-Red control sensor in each of the active speakers,
or use a wall mounted keypad (or use both). In both cases
the IR sensor has associated LEDs that give you feedback (via different colours) on status, eg standby, main
source playing or local source playing.
The kits we show in the price list below assume that all speakers have IR sensors and that remote controls are appropriate to the hub.
Keypads are optional extras to these kits.
Single source keypad and remote control
The KPM wall mounted keypad for single source control, like the stylish anodised aluminium infra-red single
source remote control (RM1) has basic volume controls and allows the selection
of local source input (see below). The remote is also used for setting up the system, eg start up volume, bass and treble settings,
and maximum volume. For controlling the source functions eg skip track or radio station you will need your existing remote
and point it at the built-in IR sensor.
Multi-source keypads and multi-source remote control
The multi-source learning programmable remote (LRN7) can directly learn up to 8 codes for each of up to 7 IR devices, or these can be programmed
using a PC and the software provided. The LRN7 also learns Bang & Olufsen and Pioneer Elite IR codes. Macros can be programmed to
allow you to send multiple instructions with a single button press. The multi-source keypad has source selection buttons
and basic volume control functions similar to the single source keypad. Control over the actual sources is achieved with the
learning remote.
The new IR learning keypad will be available in Septemeber offering the full control over sources similar to the
multi-source learning remote.
Source input and IR relay system
Single source system
A single Source Input Module (SIM) and Infra-Red output Module (IRM) are combined into a
Combination Input Module (CIM) and located on the wall close to the source. You can buy just the SIM and use it
to input a local source to the speakers from a 'line level' source eg MP3 player, computer or media center device such
as the Neuston MC500 media centre.
Multi-source system
An equivalent Multi-source Input Module (MIM) is used for the multi-source system. This permits up to 4 sources
to be connected to the hub. For the 2 remaining sources two individual CIMs are used to allow more remote sources to
act as inputs.
For remote source input where the source is input over your home Local Area Network,
rather than a dedicated run of Category 5e cable, a special version of the CIM is available that outputs on an RJ45
via a short patch lead. This is called a Coolport.
All of these options allow you relay IR commands to control the source equipment.
Video input (and output) uses composite video baluns.
5.1 Surround sound
The use of an HCCP5.1 surround sound input plate allows you to expand your Systemline Modular system into a 5.1
home cinema arrangement using either in-ceiling active speakers or Zone Amplifier Modules and conventional speakers.
To do this you require a DVD player that has a built-in Dolby 5.1 decoder outputting on phono sockets not
solely digital co-ax. For full details click here.
Power supplies
To power the speakers two versions are available; a 45 Watt unit for a single zone or a single sub-zone (PSM45) and a
130 Watt unit for powering 6 zones (PSM130). For an 8 zone system a second PSM130 is used.
NB: This system is distributing analogue audio signals, not digital. It cannot therefore work with
wireless WiFi bridge replacing the ethernet cables.
For a contents list click on the links below:
For planning guide click here (pdf 1.89MB).
For quick installation guide click here (pdf 1275kB).
For installation guide for a single source system click here (pdf 1050kB).
01603 660901
