Custom Touch
They call it custom electronics for a reason. Here in this high-rise suite along Manhattan’s Central Park South, the couple had precise requirements that didn’t exactly fit a cookie-cutter design for music, video and home control. But that’s nothing new to the designers at EDG, who pride themselves in tweaking tried-and-true electronics to meet the unique needs of its clients. Here, audiophile-grade music quality came first, followed by video, lighting and climate control, and EDG delivered.
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Minimalist design defines this full-floor apartment. If electronics are visible, that means they have an integral role in the home. That’s the case in the listening room, where a pair of B&W floorstanding loudspeakers stand in full view to provide the owners with the closest thing to the concert sound at neighboring Lincoln Center--without having to leave the apartment. The sleek B&W XT8s--with a footprint of just 6 x 8 inches--deliver the full-range performance necessary for the couple’s classical music collection without taking over the room.
Technology Budget:
$ 40,000
* Excludes; Architect, Interior Designer, Carpenter & Furnishings.
Equipment List
(1) APC SC450RM1U APC 4-Outlet Smart-UPS with
4500V Load Capacity and RS232
(1) Control4 HC-500 Control Processor
(1) Control4 AVM-TUN1-B AM/FM Tuner
(1) Control4 C4-16AMP3-B 16 Channel Amplifier
(1) Control4 HC-300 Control Processor
(1) Control4 SR-250 Remote Control
(4) Control4 TSWM7-E-B Touchpanel
(2) Control4 KPM-TTK1 Keypad
(4) Control4 CCZ-T1 Thermostat Keypad
(1) Control4 AC-DOTS1 Thermostat
(1) Control4 C4-TSM7-G-B Wireless touchscreen withcradle
(2) Control4 LSZ-3W1-W Wireless two-button keypad
(40) Control4 LDZ-101-W Wireless Dimmer
(1) Control4 AC-FMTS1W Flush Mount Remote Temp Sensor
(10) Control4 KPZ-6B1-W Wireless 6-Button Keypad
(60) Control4 AC-3C-x/AC-6C-x Custom Engraved
Keycaps 3/6 button
(4) Control4 LOZ-5D1-W Wireless outlet Dimmer
(5) Control4 AC-WP2-W Wall Plate 2-Gang
(4) Control4 AC-WP3-W Wall Plate 3-Gang
(4) Control4 AC-WP4-W Wall Plate 4-Gang
(3) Control4 CNX-RCR1-B Wireless contact/Relay Extender
(1) Cisco Cisco871-K9 Ethernet to Ethernet Router
with 4-Port 10/100Mbps Managed
(1) Cisco CON-SNTE-CISCO871 SMARTnet 8x5x4 CISCO871
(1) Cisco SGE2010P Linksys Stackable Gigabit Ethernet Switch w/PoE
(5) Cisco AIR-AP1252AG-A-K9 Aironet 1252
802.11a/g/n Access Point
(5) Cisco CONSNTAP1252AG SMARTnet 8x5x4NBD AIR-AP1252AG-A-K9
(3) HD Cable Box Client Supplied HD DVR Cable Box
(1) Integra DTR-7.8 7.1 Receiver
(1) Integra CDC-3.4 6 Disc CD Player
(1) Integra IRK-120-3 Rack Mount Kit for CDC-3.4
(1) Intelix AVO-A2-F Balun
(2) Intelix AVO-V3HD-F Balun
(3) Intelix AVO-A2-F Balun
(3) Leon HZ515-LCR-A-46 46” Audiophile Grade Left/Center/Right Combination Speaker
(1) LINN 2250 2CH AMP Amplifier
(2) LINN Client Supplied Speakers
(1) Magnum Dynalab ST-2 Omni-Directional FM Antenna
(1) Middle Atlantic AXS-SYS AXS Equipment Rack System
(1) Middle Atlantic U2 2 Space Rackshelf
(1) Sanus VMPL250b Black Low-profile Flat Panel TV Mount
(1) Sharp LC-37D90U 37” HDTV
(1) Sharp Aquos 19” HDTV - (1) Sonance FS- 4W iPod dock
(1) Sonance iPort Wallplate Audio Sender Wallplate
(1)Sonance iPort Wallplate Audio Balanced Wallplate
(2) Sonance 423M Speaker
(1) Sony BDPS500 Blu-Ray Player
(1) Sony KDL-46XBR5 46” LCD HDTV
(2) SpeakerCraft AIM 7 THREE Speaker
(2) Speakercraft BKT65700 New Construction Bracket
(4) SpeakerCraft CRS7 Speaker
(1) SpeakerCraft DT7 Speaker
(2) Sonance Merlot 423M Speaker
(15) Tessco Technologies SuperDuck 5.5DBI Omni Antenna
(1) Toshiba 26HLV66 TV/DVD Combo
(1) Triad 300DSP Subwoofer Amplifier
(1) Triad InWall Bronze/6 In Wall Bronze Subwoofer
(1) Viking SLP-1 Single Line Paging Adapter
(1) Viking LDB-2 Loop and/or Ring Detector
(1) Viking PL1 Universal Telecom/Paging Interface
(1) Xantech CB60 IR Connecting Block
(1) Xantech IR Reciever
EDG installation experts were able save floorspace in the room by stuffing the accompanying Triad subwoofer into the wall, while maintaining audio performance--and neighborhood peace. The wall cavity is packed with insulation to prevent the lowest bass frequencies from leaking to other floors.
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The music source list for this midtown gem features analog and digital-era equipment and doesn’t skimp on options. An Integra CD changer handles legacy CDs, and there’s easy access to iPod libraries and the Rhapsody music service via Control4’s multi-room audio system. The Control4 HC500 controller comes with its own 500GB hard drive that stores thousands of MP3s. All the components are neatly wired into the Control4 system for distribution to seven zones throughout the apartment. Local radio can be playing in the kitchen while Mozart serenades the couple in the listening room. Wherever they are, their favorite tunes are a simple tap away. Hit the Classical button on a Control4 touchscreen and music pipes into the room from an iPod docked in a Sonance iPort.
EDG suggested Control4 in this project to meet the client’s budget, need and desire for home monitoring over the Internet. Control4 integrates control over thermostats, lighting and A/V equipment, which gives the owners convenience, security, and energy savings at the touch of a button.
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A Control4 C4-4Sight/Subscription gives the owners Internet access to their control system from across town or around the world. While traveling abroad, the couple can click into the Web page for their apartment and not only see the temperature for each room in the zoned apartment, but turn up or down temperatures in response to changes in weather. They can dim lights to save energy or turn lights on sporadically to give the home an occupied appearance. They can set a romantic mood with lighting and music minutes before they arrive home.
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A stack of black boxes is required to make a system like this run, but fortunately EDG installers are adept at keeping the hardware hidden. They fashioned a pull-out system inside a closet next to the TV in the theater room. All equipment is masked behind a door, and there’s a thermal protection system built in to keep electronics running cool. If the equipment requires servicing, the rack pulls out for access to the gear. Out of sight but never out of mind.
