AUDIOFLOW SPEAKER SWITCH

The Audioflow Smart Speaker Switch is carefully designed in the UK 🇬🇧 to be a convenient and safe way of switching between multiple speakers in a typical domestic multi-room audio system. It is perfect for connecting ceiling speakers, on-wall and in-wall speakers, bookshelf speakers and outdoor speakers to a single amplifier output.

The speaker switch provides lots of flexibility by allowing you to enable and disable any combination of the speakers attached to it with the buttons on the front of the unit, over Wi-Fi with an app for iOS / Android, the Amazon Alexa Voice Assistant or Contact Closure connections.

Downloads

• Android App
• iOS App
• Amazon Alexa Skill

Information

• Using AudioFlow
• Connecting AudioFlow
• Download the App
• Connect to Wi-Fi
• Using The App
• Using Amazon Alexa
• Using Contact Closure

FAQs

• Frequently Asked Questions
• Troubleshooting

What is Audioflow?

Audioflow is a Speaker Switch which allows you to connect multiple pairs of speakers to your stereo amplifier and turn each pair on and off individually. It comes in 2-, 3- and 4-way versions.

Why is it different?

There are lots of different speaker switches out there which have buttons on them, however Audioflow also connects to your Wi-Fi Network and allows you to operate the switch remotely via the iOS / Android App, Amazon Alexa and Control Systems. Where manually operated switches are a generally poor user experience, Audioflow is much more convenient as you can operate the switch with the same device you are using to play and control music.

About the product

Audioflow has been designed by a custom installer, it is 1U High and the Wi-Fi Antenna is on the front so it works in a rack shelf. It is proudly Made in the UK and supports British Manufacturing.

Sub-Zones

There are some situations such as Open Plan living spaces and Bedroom / Dressing / Ensuite areas which are not separate zones. In these areas you would not play different music and it is logical that they are operated via one amp and a switch to turn speakers on and off in different areas.

Add more Audio to Projects

Audioflow makes it easier to expand installations. If speakers are specified in an extension, it is a relatively low additional cost to add a switch and install speakers in the garden too. Bedroom systems can easily be extended into bathrooms as well.

Control System Integration

Integration can make systems easier to use. For example, an open plan Kitchen / Lounge in Control4 would have two audio endpoints, and this would force you to create two rooms in the system which the client would have to manage by grouping. With Audioflow you can simply create one room and have buttons on keypad or in the navigator to turn speakers on and off. You can even program to turn speakers on via PIR sensors. Drivers are available for Control4 and ELAN at the moment and we are always working on more integrations.

Matching projects to client budgets

AV Installations are aften considered a luxury, and with the current economic situation Audioflow can be a useful tool to help put projects together at a lower total cost and close deals with clients. It can also be used as a stop-gap to be replaced with more amplifiers installed later when budget allows.

Speaker Impedance

It is important to understand some basics of speaker impedance when specifying Audioflow.
Impedance is measured in Ohms (Ω) and varies as music is being played – if a speaker has 6Ω impedance this means that at some frequencies it would dip down to a 6Ω level.
The lower the speaker impedance is, the more power your amplifier is able to supply. However, if the speaker impedance is too low your amplifier may cut-out (protection), overheat or be damaged. You should always pay attention to the minimum impedance your amplifier is rated for to avoid this.

• Note: connecting two speakers in parallel halves the impedance eg: 8Ω + 8Ω = 4Ω
  (the volume from each of the speakers would be the same, but the amp is working harder)
• Note: connecting two speakers in series you add the impedances together eg: 8Ω + 8Ω = 16Ω (the amp is working the same, but the volume from each of the speakers would be lower)

3S-2Z 2 Way Switch

The two-way switch is in series so you can pretty much use any speakers. If Zone A is 6Ω and Zone B is 8Ω, having both on at the same time would be 14Ω to your amp.

3S-3Z 3 Way Switch / 3S-4Z 4 Way Switch

Both the three-way and four-way switches have series / parallel internal wiring to keep the speaker impedance in check but this means that you should follow this rule: Use 8Ω speakers and an amplifier that works down to 4Ω

For example, if you are using a 3S-4Z 4 Way Switch and 8Ω speakers on each Zone A, B, C and D the following would be presented to your amp:

• 8Ω for A, B, C, D, ABCD.
• 16Ω for AB, CD.
• 4Ω for AC, AD, BC, BD.
• 5.33Ω for ACD, BCD, ABC, ABD.

FAQ / Notes

• Most good quality amplifiers can handle loads down to 4Ω including Sonos Amp, Bluesound Powernode, Yamaha WXA-50 etc. Be wary of some cheap AV Receivers with a Zone 2 function, these can sometimes be minimum 6Ω. If you can’t find impedance details on the spec sheet, it’ll be printed on the back of the amplifier itself.
• You can use multiple Audioflow switches on the same Wi-Fi Network. For example; if you set up a 3-Way and a 4-Way, the app will show you seven buttons.
• Bowers & Wilkins Speakers have confusing ratings which say Nominal 8Ω and Minimum 4.5Ω. In this case, you should observe the minimum rating.
• You should always have only two speakers or a single-stereo speaker per Audioflow Zone.
• It is possible to disable a zone so you can turn a 4 Way Switch into a 3 Way (or a 3 Way into a 2 Way) if you want to save a connection for speakers which may be installed in the future.
• When three zones are active together there may be one at a different volume level. This will depend on which combination you have selected, the sensitivity of your speakers and the size of your room.

Wiring Example

Here is an example of an Audioflow 3S-4Z 4-Way switch connected to the following speakers:

• Zone A — Lounge — Two Bookshelf Speakers.
• Zone B — Kitchen — Two Ceiling Speakers.
• Zone C — Snug — One Single Stereo Ceiling Speaker.
• Zone D — Garden — Two Wall Mounted Outdoor Speakers.

Apps and Integrations

There are apps available for Apple iOS and Android, and there is built-in native support for Amazon Alexa. Control system drivers are available for Control4 and ELAN and it is also possible to integrate with the Rithum Switch and Home Assistant.

Getting More Help

We are here to help you with any aspect of Audioflow – contact us via email, online chat or by phone for a free expert advice.