Who do you call if your lights go out? The answer is, of course, an electrician. And if your toilet is blocked, you get straight on the telephone to a plumber. This is because these people are experts in their field, and you expect them to do a proper job. So why do we see so many audio/visual installations specified and installed by non-specialist trades? Surely it cannot simply be because they are already working on-site? 

Only a handful of electrical companies understand our industry, meaning it’s only a small group. Even these tend to deal with a single AV supplier, so they are limited in their solutions. My own company, by contrast – Len Wallis Audio – deals with scores of suppliers, and any installation we undertake will include products from many of them. No company does everything well, so we pick and choose from the best.

This column was inspired by a client of ours who approached us to install a home theatre system. The trouble was that the on-site trades had already installed all the loudspeakers – five in the ceiling, three at the front over the screen and two behind the seating area. This is one of my pet peeves. The three speakers above the screen were the left and right speakers, plus the centre channel, which is responsible for most of the audio related to what is happening on the screen – including the all-important vocals. 

 
Like the vast percentage of you reading this, I find it very disconcerting to watch someone talking on the screen while hearing their voice from the ceiling. This arrangement does not play well with the brain! When you go to the movies, the speakers are positioned behind the screen for precisely this reason, as you expect the voice and other soundtrack pieces to coincide with the visuals. I find this concept of dislocated sound and action very unsettling and in no way natural. Did the company that specified and installed these speakers deliberately mislead the client? Not at all, because the situation was simply a result of ignorance, with the technicians straying outside of their area of expertise. 

Home theatre systems are not the only situation where we see these mistakes. Surprisingly, we still come across installations where all the multi-room speakers have been installed throughout the home. Unfortunately, they have been wired in a daisy chain fashion, like a basic lighting installation or a commercial audio system. The good news is that one speaker can still be used – and all the client needs to do is decide which one! The list of poorly designed and implemented installations is considerable.

In today’s world, audio-visual systems are no longer an afterthought – they’re an integral part of modern homes, from home theatres and multi-room audio to integrated smart home systems. Just as you wouldn’t entrust your plumbing or electrical work to a general handyperson, neither should you leave your AV installation to anyone other than a qualified specialist.

AV integrators bring a depth of expertise and understanding of cutting-edge technology that ensures every system is tailored, future-proofed, and optimised for your specific needs. Elevating AV professionals to the same level as electricians, plumbers, and builders in the planning and construction process is essential to achieving the best possible outcome for your home. By involving an AV expert early in your home’s design or renovation process, you avoid costly mistakes and ensure a seamless, high-performance system that enhances your everyday living. Your home deserves nothing less than the best, and that’s precisely what we, as technology specialists, deliver. Need a specialist? Then call one!

For more information visit Len Wallis Audio