stereo system?

Question

i am buying a stereo system but i don't know what receiver i need. i want i multi room system with 4 or 5 speakers what kind of receiver should i get stereo or surround sound? do surround sound speakers have the ability to be mono?

i only need it for audio not video and it doesnt have to be surround sound just one or two speakers per room.

Answer 1

Why would you want mono?
(although MOST systems do have a MONO button/option)
Why would you NOT choose Surround Sound (5.1, 6.1, 7.1) over Stereo (2.0) if you're going to have up to 5 speakers (5.1)?

What you should be looking for is a Home Theater System that includes the Receiver and Speakers.
Asking a group of (100) people like might be here which is best would be the same as asking them their favorite cereal...you'll get 100 different answers...
and it certainly starts with how much you're willing to invest in the system.

Also, it's NOT the speakers (Stereo or Surround) themselves that determines MONO but, the output on the Receiver going TO those speakers.

Receivers: How to Choose
http://www.crutchfieldadvisor.com/ISEO-rgbtcspd/learningcenter/home/receivers.html

Which Home Theater System?
http://ezinearticles.com/?How-To-Select-The-Right-Home-Theater-System&id=129661
http://www.bizrate.com/hometheatersystems/buying_guides/index.html

Answer 2

If it's for music and never movies a surround sound system is a waste. You'll need to get into commercial equipment to do the mono thing, and in spite of previous answers, there are applications where it is best. Oh, just reread your question, yes those speakers can do mono, the speaker doesn't care. You will separate volume controls and an impedance matching device. You can find a device that does both, but you'll need to go to a local shop that does custom home installation.

Answer 3

How many rooms are you planning on equipping? There are a few high-end receivers that feature multi-room, but usually only one additional room. Some that "claim" to be multi-room only provide pre-outs for the other room and you still have to purchase another receiver for that room. Not sure why you're asking about "mono", but most receivers that offer multi room don't allow you to listen to surround when you're also listening to something in that other room.

Yamaha makes a good receiver for multi room. I'm partial to Yamaha, and have NEVER had much luck with Harman Kardon or Onkyo---I've owned all of them at one time or another.

http://www.crutchfield.com/S-pGc4cq6Yfsp/cgi-bin/ProdView.asp?search=Yamaha+VENDORID022&searchdisplay=Yamaha&i=022RXV661

Answer 4

you can select mono on some units but as gene l asks-y??-with a decent multichannel home amp you can open a whole new world of listening pleasure. once set up correctly the results can be nothing short of astonishing-more than once during a DVD there has been a knock on the door in the film (out of camera shot)-and i have answered my own door!!-for multi-room applications most amps have a surround output for connection to a likewise amp elsewhere in the home-so the possibilies are endless.

Answer 5

search a reciver with 2,3 or 4 output channels

u can use it for a very good stereo sound in one room or in all room where u have installed the speakers

u can't use a home cinema sys for that