Audio

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The Loxone Audio system delivers multi-room audio throughout the building. The Audioserver or Miniserver Compact provides and synchronizes the audio stream. Audio devices are connected via Tree Turbo; Master Speakers distribute audio to Client Speakers via the Master-Client Interface (MCI). Audio Zones are configured with the Audio Player function block.

Tartalom

• Tree Turbo
• Master-Client Technology
• Audio System Planning
• Subwoofer

Tree Turbo↑

Tree Turbo is a high-performance interface that enables the connection of audio devices such as the Stereo Extension, Install Speaker 7 Master, Install Speaker 10 Master, Install Sub 10 Master, and Satellite Speaker IP64 Master to the Audioserver or the Miniserver Compact.
Each Tree Turbo interface supports up to 10 devices with a maximum cable length of 150 m /492 ft.

More information on wiring and topology: Tree Turbo interface.

Master-Client Technology↑

The Master-Client technology connects Client Speakers directly to a Master Speaker via its Master-Client Interface (MCI). The audio stream is sent from the Audioserver or Miniserver Compact to the Master Speaker over Tree Turbo; the Master then distributes it to its Clients.

This structured connection over Tree Turbo and the MCI significantly reduces cabling effort. Up to 10 Master Speakers can be integrated flexibly via Tree Turbo, in star, line, tree or bus topology. Each Master Speaker serves up to 20 Clients in a daisy chain, so installations can be expanded easily. Master and Client Speakers can be mixed. The proven Loxone Audio Cable allows reliable, straightforward installation.

Roles and devices

Audioserver / Miniserver Compact

• Delivers the audio stream to the Master Speaker over Tree Turbo.

• The Miniserver Compact always includes a native audio function.

• Synchronizes all audio playback in the system.

• Provides the timing (clock) for the audio network.

Master Speaker

• Has a Tree Turbo input for the audio stream from the Audioserver or Miniserver Compact (it is itself a Tree Turbo participant).

• Has a Master-Client Interface, through which up to 20 Client Speakers can be connected in a daisy chain.

• Distributes the received stream to all assigned Clients.

• Has DSP-supported Class-D amplifiers with 36 W RMS.

• Supports local features: Bluetooth Audio, Apple AirPlay and Spotify Connect (exception: the Install Sub 10 Master does not support AirPlay).

Client Speaker

• Connected to a Master Speaker only via the MCI, not via Tree Turbo.

• Only one Client Speaker connects directly to the Master Speaker; up to 19 further Client Speakers can be daisy-chained to it.

• Plays the stream received from the Master Speaker and forwards it.

• Has no logic of its own and can therefore be assigned to exactly one Master Speaker.

• Can be individually volume-controlled with appropriate logic.

• Its boot process is fully controlled by the respective Master Speaker.

• Extends the audio outputs in a room or installation.

Stereo Extension

• Is a Tree Turbo participant, but not a Master, and has no MCI.

• Mounted on a DIN rail in a suitable enclosure.

• Controlled directly by the Audioserver or Miniserver Compact.

• Up to 10 Tree Turbo participants in total can be operated per Audioserver/Miniserver Compact (Master Speakers and Stereo Extensions combined).

• Extends the system by two (analog) amplifier outputs and one (digital, electrical) SPDIF output.

The Master-Client audio solution surpasses conventional systems and 100 V technology in efficiency, flexibility and sound quality.

Audio System Planning↑

Careful, structured planning is essential for optimal sound with the Loxone audio system. This step-by-step guide highlights the important aspects and details.

Planning is based on the available Loxone speakers and enclosures.

Preliminary Analysis

• Which room is to be covered (indoor, outdoor, size, adjacent rooms, ...)?

• What are the requirements for the room (use: party room, WC, bedroom, restaurant, ...)? Can the products be visible?

• What are the requirements for music playback (background music, party mode, ...)?

• Which installation options are available (flush mounting, furniture, surface mounting, cabling)?

• What are the room details (ceiling construction, walls, cable ducts, ventilation systems, ...)?

• Is it a retrofit (extension), a new installation, or a complete new Loxone installation?

• Total scope?

• Budget?

Rule of Thumb: Speaker Count per Area (model-independent)

Home: plan 1 speaker per 15 m².

Commercial: plan 1 speaker per 40-50 m², as these spaces usually have higher ceilings and lower volume levels. For venues planned with higher volume levels (e.g. bars), increase the ratio of speakers to covered area.

Recommended Minimum Number of Subwoofers

Loxone speakers deliver an outstanding sound experience across the entire frequency range. With concrete installation boxes and mounting enclosures, subwoofers are mandatory: the limited enclosure size offers only a small resonance volume and is not designed for adequate bass reproduction.

Even without these enclosures, users often want a pronounced bass experience. Additional subwoofers are recommended in this case as well.

The Install Sub 10 is not intended for installation in concrete boxes or in mounting enclosures for 10″ Install Speakers!

Recommended minimum ratio of speakers to subwoofers, for home and commercial use:

• Install Speaker 7: 4:1

• Install Speaker 10: 2:1

• Satellite Speaker IP64: 4:1

These are recommendations, not requirements.

Speaker Positioning

Where do I want to install the speaker, and is it possible there? Which enclosures are available?

• Acoustic dispersion can be compared to a cone of light: the higher the speaker is installed, the larger the covered area, but the quieter it plays.

• Install subwoofers as close to a wall as possible.

• Position speakers where you want to listen to music.

• Decide between even room coverage and a dedicated listening spot.

• The larger the speaker, the louder it can play.

Positioning examples:

Stereo Configuration

Installations are almost always configured as a stereo downmix, via the connection to the Audio Player block. A true left/right stereo split only makes sense in rare cases, for example with a fixed listening position.

Choosing the Right Enclosure

The goal is to avoid an acoustic short circuit:

• Acoustic ceiling: backbox

• Suspended ceiling elements (e.g. ceiling sails): backbox

• In-situ or precast concrete ceiling: concrete installation enclosure

• Open ceiling construction (e.g. exposed beams): surface enclosure

• Open ceiling (e.g. gastronomy, commercial): surface enclosure

• Placement on or in a shelf: box for 10″ Install Speaker

• Placement on the floor (e.g. subwoofer): box for 10″ Install Speaker

• Wall mounting: surface enclosure

• Closed ceiling or wall: no enclosure, but ensure proper damping!

• Closed ceiling with shadow gaps at the outer edges: backboxes, if the speakers are placed far towards the edges

• With poor insulation or decoupling between rooms, a backbox is recommended.

Model Selection

Relevant criteria for choosing a model:

• Ceiling/wall construction

• Maximum volume

• Acoustic expectations (top quality, or is background music sufficient; subwoofer combination?)

• Appearance (position, color and size)

• Active versus passive speakers, or mixed use (existing passive installation? Extension or upgrade of older models; consider Bluetooth use)

• Budget distribution

• Special cases (sauna, spa, reverberant room, outdoor, low ceiling, sloped ceiling, ...)

Install Speaker 7/10 (full range)

Ceiling installation with backbox: an acoustic compromise. Required for acoustic ceilings and open ceiling constructions. Best combined with a subwoofer.

Ceiling installation without backbox: damping of the cavity is recommended; stable plasterboard construction, wood also possible, braces close to the speaker. Better option acoustically!

Wall installation is equally possible, under the same conditions as ceiling installation.

Custom option: instead of the grille, cover the speaker with speaker fabric or a fabric print (fabric must not be too thick). The speaker becomes invisible.

Surface Enclosures

Surface enclosures are matched to the speakers and work excellently in combination. They are used for wall and ceiling mounting.

The closed box for the Install 10 is universally usable, e.g. complementing flush-mounted speakers (on a cabinet, a bar, in a shelf, ...).

Install Sub 10

• Ceiling installation is possible, but requires a very solid construction. Screws for fastening the grille must be acquired separately.

• Wall installation is unproblematic. Ensure a stable construction and matching screws (wood, plasterboard, ...).

• Volume should be at least 30 l. Higher volumes are acceptable; above 50 l, the subwoofer’s low-pass and the satellites’ high-pass no longer match optimally and must be corrected with the EQ.

• Also performs very well in the surface enclosure.

• Not suitable for concrete installation boxes or the standard backbox!

Installation Rules (Mechanical, Acoustic, Electric)

Speakers can release enormous energy and strongly excite their surroundings. Counter this with a solid, well-damped speaker substructure.

• Damping: ideally long-fibre natural wool from drywall construction. Glass wool and rock wool shed fine, harmful fibres over time, which can be released into the room and accumulate in the speaker (potentially causing defects).

• Enclosures: fill loosely, keep distance from the electronics.

• Closed ceiling: damping around the speaker up to the ceiling, keep distance from the electronics.

• Closed wall: fill loosely, keep distance from the electronics.

• Tightness: the contact surface between speaker and enclosure must be airtight.

• Stability of the construction.

Furniture Installation

• Stable construction (solid walls, no thin, loosely inserted HDF rear panel).

• Provide an airtight rear enclosure (also in closed furniture).

• The speaker must be able to radiate freely.

• Loose objects, especially dishes, are easily excited and cause loud rattling noises.

• Floor installation (only sensible for subwoofers): keep a distance of at least 5cm from the floor.

For subwoofer installation in furniture, see also the subwoofer document.

Planning Data

Concrete installation enclosures are intended exclusively for use in concrete, and only for the Install Speaker 7″ and 10″. They cannot be used for the Install Sub 10: the physical volume is too small for adequate bass reproduction.

Wiring

We recommend having the wiring carried out by a qualified professional.

• Cable selection: cross-section and function (Master/Client or passive).

• Recommended cross-section to a passive speaker: up to 15m: 1.5mm², up to 30m: 2.5mm², up to 60m: 4mm². Standard copper speaker cable.

• For Master/Client products, use the Loxone Audio Cable.

• When planning cable lengths, distinguish between data line and power supply. For the data line, see the graphic of the respective speaker model.

• Tree Turbo devices are connected according to the bus specification (see Tree Turbo).

• Master-Client connection rules: see Master-Client Technology. Consider cable lengths and power supply capacity!

Amennyiben csak pár hangszórót használunk, a tápvezetéket is lehet lineárisan futtatni. Ha sok hangszórót használunk egy vonalon, a feszültségesés korlátozó tényezővé válik. Ezt nagyobb keresztmetszetű vezetékek, rövidebb kábelek vagy további 24 V-os tápok használatával lehet orvosolni. Fontos, hogy a különböző tápok negatív pontját össze kell kötni.

Positioning power supplies centrally, rather than at the start of the line, also reduces line losses.

Power Supply

Power supply sizing depends, among other things, on the simultaneity factor:

• High simultaneity factor: 1A per speaker.

• Low simultaneity factor: 0.5A per speaker.

The simultaneity factor reflects how many lighting and audio components are likely to be 100% active at the same time — around 0.3 in residential projects with a central supply. Cabinet components (Miniserver, Extensions) and peripherals (Presence Sensors, Touch) are always calculated at 100%.

Further points for power supply planning:

• Calculate the total power of all 24V devices, including future expansion. Undersizing causes overload and failures; oversizing wastes cabinet space and money.

• Plan at least 20% reserve above the calculated total for load peaks and later expansion.

• Choose efficient supplies with short-circuit, overload and thermal protection. Several supplies in one cabinet can cause electromagnetic interference (EMC); pick units that perform well for EMC.

• Power supplies are among the largest heat sources — place them where ventilation is good, not in the middle of the cabinet or beside other heat sources.

• Fewer power supplies mean less wiring and fewer potential fault sources — expect a 2–5 % error rate across all connections; keep all connections secure.

• Fuse each output individually against short-circuit and overload and monitor it; measuring consumption helps identify savings.

Subwoofer↑

A subwoofer adds the deep bass the main speakers cannot reproduce, and can noticeably improve the sound even with bass-capable speakers — especially in large rooms. Any Install Sub 10 variant (Master, Client) can be used. When concrete flush-mount boxes or flush-mount enclosures are used, a subwoofer is mandatory: their small volume cannot reproduce adequate bass.

Number of subwoofers

The larger the room and the more main speakers, the more subwoofers are needed:

Increase the number for large rooms or high-level demand. Account for 2.3 A per subwoofer (any type) in system planning.

Positioning

• Sounds best near a wall or corner; when built into a wall or ceiling, an adjacent surface also enhances performance.

• In an enclosure the woofer may face a wall, but needs at least 5 cm clearance.

• With multiple subwoofers, place them close together — no more than 1 m (3.3 ft) apart.

• Experiment with positions; placement strongly affects the result, especially with several subwoofers.

Config & EQ

• With a subwoofer on the Audio Player's Sub output, enable the high-pass for the main speakers so they play louder and with less strain. At higher volumes, leaving it disabled can sound better — set to taste.

• Alternatively, connect the subwoofer to its own Audio Player and bind it via the audio group for individual volume control; in this setup no high-pass is available for the main speakers.

• Adjust the bass level via the gain in Config, not the EQ. The EQ only shapes tonal balance for the room or personal taste.

For enclosure requirements, furniture installation and volumes, see Audio System Planning.