Chapter 2 · How LOXONE Audio Works
The LOXONE Speaker Range
Every audio project starts with two questions: what kind of speakers should be used, and how many does the room need? The LOXONE range makes both answers simple, with four active speakers for almost every room and one planning rule for all of them. Use this lesson as your reference when you plan a real project.
By the end of this lesson you will be able to:
- Choose the right LOXONE speaker for a room, indoors or outdoors
- Explain to a customer why LOXONE speakers sound superior
- Calculate roughly how many speakers a room needs
The situation
You are planning audio using a floor plan. There is an open living and dining area that needs good, even sound. There is a bathroom where the speaker must handle humidity, and there is a covered terrace outside.
You have three rooms with three different needs, and one speaker range to choose from. Which speaker goes where, and how many do you need?
The Master and Client range
Four active speaker models cover almost every situation. Each model is available as either Master or Client. The Master determines the audio source and leads its group, and the Client follows the Master. Every Master has Bluetooth built in and all LOXONE speakers have a minimum rating of IP53/54 for protection against dust and moisture.
The table shows where each speaker fits best.
| Speaker Model | Best for | Key features |
|---|---|---|
| Install Speaker 7 | Most rooms, indoors and protected outdoor areas | The everyday speaker, good for background music or as the main sound system |
| Install Speaker 10 | Restaurants, bars and living rooms where sound quality really matters | Premium speaker, stronger and lighter membrane, titanium tweeter for stronger bass and cleaner high tones |
| Satellite Speaker IP64 | Uncovered outdoor areas, terraces, demanding conditions | IP64 rated, flexible rear arm to set the angle, mounts horizontally or vertically |
| Install Sub 10 | Rooms that need deep bass, or adding bass to an existing installation | Subwoofer for deep, controlled bass, takes load off the other speakers |
Why they sound better than their size
Two design features explain the sound quality. You should be able to describe both to a customer.
Single Frame design. Most built-in speakers put a standard speaker into a separate mounting frame. This leaves less space for the diaphragm, which is the part that moves to create the sound. LOXONE builds the mounting frame into the speaker itself. This gives about 25% more space for the diaphragm, with the same installation size. A bigger diaphragm means more dynamic sound and stronger bass.
True Coaxial construction. The tweeter plays the high tones and the woofer plays the low tones. In LOXONE speakers, the tweeter sits exactly in the center of the woofer, not on a bridge in front of it. A centered tweeter uses the horn effect to spread the sound more evenly through the room. It also avoids the distortion that happens when a bridge blocks the woofer.
The mounting frame is part of the speaker, so there is approximately 25% more space for the diaphragm.
Built-in tweeter sits exactly in the center of the diaphragm.
A standard speaker by comparison has a separate, larger frame which leaves less space for the diaphragm. Also, if a tweeter is included it is typically held in front of the diaphragm using a bridge which causes alignment issues and distortion.
How many speakers does a room need?
The planning rule is simple, and audio specialists have tested it: plan one speaker for every 15 m² of room space. This is the same for Master/Client and passive speakers.
The number of speakers does not change with the model you choose. Install Speaker 7, Install Speaker 10 or Satellite Speaker IP64: you still plan about one speaker per 15 m². So first plan the layout, and then choose the speaker for the room and the budget.
Example: A living and dining area of 45 m² needs about 3 speakers (45 ÷ 15 = 3).