There is something special about walking through your home and having music follow you naturally from room to room. Not blasting from a single Bluetooth speaker in the kitchen, but filling each space at just the right volume, with the right source, without a single wire or speaker cabinet in sight.
That is what a properly designed distributed audio system delivers. And thanks to brands like Sonos and solutions from Control4, it has never been more accessible or more elegant.
How Distributed Audio Works
The concept is simple: place speakers throughout your home, group them into zones, and control what plays where from a single app, touchscreen, or voice command. You might have jazz in the kitchen while the kids listen to something else in the playroom. Or sync every room to the same playlist for a party. The system handles it all.
Modern systems use a mix of wired and wireless speakers depending on the home. For new construction or major remodels, in-ceiling and in-wall speakers deliver the cleanest look and the best performance. The speakers completely disappear into the architecture. For existing homes where running wire is impractical, wireless solutions like Sonos provide excellent quality with zero drywall work.
- In-ceiling speakers for a clean, invisible installation
- In-wall speakers for rooms where ceiling mounting is not ideal
- Sonos wireless speakers for flexibility in existing homes
- Outdoor speakers rated for Colorado weather on patios and decks
- Subwoofers tucked into cabinets or closets for bass in key zones
Zones: The Key to Getting It Right
The biggest mistake people make with whole-home audio is treating the entire house as one big speaker. Every home should be divided into logical zones: kitchen, living room, master bedroom, patio, gym, office. Each zone gets independent volume and source control.
In our experience, most Denver-area homes benefit from five to eight zones. The key zones almost everyone wants: kitchen and great room (often grouped), master suite, patio or deck, and a home office. From there, common additions include kids' rooms, a gym or basement, and the garage.
Pro tip: If you are building or remodeling, run speaker wire to every room you might conceivably want audio in, even if you do not plan to install speakers right away. Wire is cheap during construction and expensive to add later.
The Source Question: Streaming, Vinyl, or Both
Most distributed audio today is streaming-based. Spotify, Apple Music, Tidal, and other services integrate directly into platforms like Sonos and Control4. You pick a playlist on your phone or ask your voice assistant, and music starts playing in whatever zone you choose.
But streaming is not the only option. We have clients who want their turntable in the living room to play through the patio speakers when they host. Others want the TV audio from the family room to extend into the kitchen so they can hear the game while cooking. A well-designed system accommodates all of these sources, not just streaming apps.
What About Outdoor Audio?
Colorado outdoor living is a big part of life here, and outdoor audio is one of our most requested installations. The key is using speakers specifically rated for outdoor use. They need to handle temperature swings from summer heat to winter cold, direct UV exposure, rain, and the occasional snowstorm.
We typically use landscape speakers that blend into garden beds, or architectural speakers that mount under eaves and soffits. Paired with a buried subwoofer, outdoor audio can sound remarkably good without looking like you bolted a boombox to your deck railing.
Pro tip: Outdoor speaker zones should always have independent volume control. What sounds great during a dinner party might be way too loud (or too quiet) for a lazy Sunday afternoon.
Getting Started
Whether you are building a new home, renovating, or just want to upgrade your current setup, whole-home audio is one of the most enjoyable smart home investments you can make. It is the kind of upgrade your family uses every single day. If you are in the Denver metro area, we would love to help you plan a system that fits your home, your music habits, and your budget.