Pricing   Quick Reference $20 USD Course Guide $99 USD Online Course $199 USD Full Package (All of the above) $299 USD

Prerequisites Course Learning Objectives Materials Included with Course Package CEU's - Continuing Education Units

This course has been approved for CEU's by: 3 CEU's .6 CEU's

Course Description

Complete instruction on the possibilities, benefits, technology, design, and installation of whole house music systems for residential installers/integrators, builders, developers, contractors, and real estate professionals.

Home audio systems are much more complicated than a simple stereo system these days, and this course teaches what students need to know to understand and install complex whole house audio systems. Low-, mid-, and high-end whole house installation possibilities are reviewed, as well as important safety considerations, standards, and codes that must be followed during installation.

Students are taught the basic physics of sound and acoustics, though the course is very practical in nature, focused on how to successfully design and install whole house audio systems. Source electronics, control electronics, and speakers are explain in great detail, as are the necessary wiring schematics to tie the system together. Special attention is paid to component selection based on calculated performance requirements and homeowner specifications (for both indoor and outdoor applications). Both new construction and retrofit installations are considered, with a clear process outlined for each situation. Finally, testing and troubleshooting methodologies are provided to ensure a successful installation.

Informative text, detailed color diagrams, and engaging case studies make learning distributed audio efficient and enjoyable. Special In Depth articles provide deeper background and technical information on critical topics, and Project Management Tips coach installers on good management practices. An online Glossary provides ready access to definitions of key terms.

The course is divided into 11 training modules – each module ends with a quiz, and a comprehensive test at the end of the course allows students to demonstrate their newfound knowledge of whole house audio systems.

After completion of this course, students are prepared for hands on, product specific training in a training center or on a job site.

Students should be familiar with the operation of a basic stereo system and have basic knowledge of structured wiring (see the Fundamentals of Structured Wiring Online Course for more information).

– To understand the four phases involved in installing a whole house audio system in a new construction project

– To know the three phases involved in installing a whole house audio system in a retrofit project

– To know the four steps to follow when planning the installation of the whole house audio system

– To understand the specific steps involved in the pre-wire, trim-out, and final installation phases of installation

– Printed Course Guide – detailed, visual reference with all course content you’ll use for years to come

– Portable Quick Reference – pocket-sized guide covering difficult to remember technical specifications and definitions, for use in the field

– Course Completion Certificate (upon successful completion of final test)

User ID/Password - Upon registration, students are emailed a unique user ID and password along with instructions for accessing the course (course access lasts for 3 months). The Course Guide and Quick Reference books will be shipped on the first business day after an order is received.

Note: 6% sales tax added for Michigan residents

Click here to view Sample Content

• Content
• Glossary
• Video Clip
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Course Outline

1. Course Information

• System Requirements
• Navigating the Course
• Course Learning Objectives

2. Introducing Whole House Audio Systems

• Multi-Room Audio Head End
• Multi-Source
• Multi-Zone
• Components

3. Benefits of Whole House Audio Systems

• Living with Whole House Audio
• "Basic" Audio System Features
• "Advanced" Audio System Features
• "Performance" Audio System Features
• Industry Certifications

4. Safety, Tools and Standards

• Safety Considerations
• Planning Tools, Rough-in and Trim-out Tools
• Testing Tools

5. The Basics of Sound

• Watts, Decibels and Loudness
• Amplification and Speakers
• Monaural, Stereo and Surround Sound
• Room Acoustics

6. Whole House Audio System Components and Speakers

• Source Electronics
• Distribution Electronics
• Control Electronics
• Speaker Types
• Keypad and Volume Controls

7. Amplifier Performance Fundamentals

• Speaker Impedance
• Amplifier Specifications
• Selecting Amplifiers and Speakers
• Calculations

8. Audio System Wiring

• Wire Types and Uses
• Wire, Impedance and Performance
• Series and Parallel Wiring
• Amplifier Selection

9. Volume and Keypad Controls

• Locations
• Autoformer Volume Controls
• Impedance Matching Volume Controls
• Keypad Control

10. Designing a Whole House Audio System

• Steps in the Design Process
• Types and Locations of Speakers
• Component Selection
• Design Documentation
• Whole House Audio System Examples

11. Installing a Whole House Audio System

• New Construction and Retrofit
• The Planning Phase
• The Rough-in Phase
• The Trim-out Phase
• Training the Customer

12. Troubleshooting Whole House Audio

• Methodology
• Common Problems
• Ground Loop
• Top 10 Distributed Audio Problems
• Troubleshooting Tools

13. Course Summary

FINAL TEST