There's a specific moment when a whole-home audio system clicks: you walk from the kitchen to the patio, and the music follows you. No Bluetooth re-pairing, no carrying a speaker, no interrupted playback. The same song, at the right volume, in every room you enter.
That's what a properly designed distributed audio system delivers. Here's everything you need to know about building one.
What Is Distributed Audio?
Distributed audio means in-wall or in-ceiling speakers in multiple rooms (called "zones"), all powered by a central amplifier and controlled from a single app, touchpad, or voice command. Each zone can play the same thing or different things independently.
The Brands We Install (and Why)
Sonance
Our go-to for most installations. Sonance makes in-ceiling, in-wall, and outdoor speakers that sound great and disappear into the architecture. Their Invisible Series literally mounts behind drywall — you hear the music but see no speakers at all. Ideal for modern, minimalist homes.
- Best for: Clean aesthetics, whole-home coverage, outdoor zones
- Price range: $300–$1,500 per speaker (installed)
- Standout: Sonance Invisible Series — hidden behind the wall, zero visual impact
Bowers & Wilkins
When audio quality is the top priority, B&W is the standard. Their in-ceiling speakers use the same tweeter technology found in $20K+ floor-standing speakers. Clients who care deeply about music — who want to hear the texture in a vocal or the space in a jazz recording — choose B&W.
- Best for: Audiophile-grade listening rooms, critical listening zones
- Price range: $600–$3,000 per speaker (installed)
- Standout: CCM Series — reference-quality sound from an in-ceiling form factor
JL Audio (Subwoofers)
For bass, JL Audio is unmatched. Their in-wall subwoofers deliver deep, clean low-end without taking up floor space. We pair them with Sonance or B&W speakers for a complete, full-range system.
Coastal Source (Outdoor)
Las Vegas outdoor living is year-round (except maybe August). Coastal Source makes the most durable, best-sounding outdoor speakers on the market — designed to survive UV, rain, and extreme heat. We install them around pools, on patios, and in outdoor kitchens across the valley.
What Does a System Cost?
- 3–5 zones (starter): $5,000–$12,000. Kitchen, living room, master bedroom, patio. Good sound, centrally controlled.
- 6–10 zones (mid-range): $12,000–$30,000. Every room plus outdoor areas. Multiple sub zones, dedicated sources per area.
- 10+ zones (premium): $30,000–$75,000+. Whole home coverage including garage, gym, bathrooms, pool area. Audiophile-grade speakers in main rooms, Sonance elsewhere.
- Dedicated home theater (add-on): $25,000–$100,000+. This is a different category — acoustic treatment, surround/Atmos, dedicated processor, projection or premium display.
The Integration Advantage
Standalone speakers (Sonos, HomePod) are fine for a single room. But when you want 8+ zones that work together seamlessly, you need a proper distributed system connected to a smart home platform:
- "Good morning" scene: Shades open, lights come up, news starts playing in the kitchen — one command
- Doorbell press: Music pauses in all zones, doorbell camera appears on the nearest screen
- Party mode: Same playlist across indoor and outdoor zones, synced perfectly
- Voice control: "Hey Josh, play jazz on the patio" — and it just works
New Construction vs. Retrofit
Like everything in smart home, new construction is dramatically cheaper and delivers better results. Running speaker wire during framing takes minutes per zone; retrofitting requires fishing wire through finished walls and ceilings.
Ready to hear the difference? Visit our project gallery to see real installations, or schedule a free consultation to discuss your home.