Crestron Sonnex® Multiroom Audio Expander, 8-Zone SWAMPE-8

The SWAMPE-8 is an 8-zone expander for the Sonnex® Multiroom Audio System (SWAMP-24X8^[1]) from Crestron®. It adds 8 stereo amplified zones to the Sonnex system, with the option for installation at the central equipment rack or at a remote location near the rooms it serves. The latter „decentralized” approach has the benefit of minimizing the amount of speaker wiring required, affording higher performance and efficiency, and a faster, easier, and less expensive installation.

Integrated Audiophile Amplifier

The SWAMPE-8 features the same custom hybrid amplifier design as the SWAMP-24X8, delivering the warmth and neutrality of a fine Class AB amplifier with all the efficiency benefits of modern Class D. Each of its 16 channels (configured as 8 stereo zones) delivers 140 Watts into 8 Ohms, or 240 Watts into 4 Ohms, and any two adjacent outputs can be bridged to produce 400 Watts per channel at 8 Ohms. Even with such incredible power, the SWAMPE-8 runs cool and efficiently, and requires only three rack spaces for mounting. Each zone is individually controllable to save energy by turning off any unused channels.

Digital Signal Processing

Each zone features independent DSP for optimal sound quality and control in every room. Sonnex DSP capabilities include the choice of graphic or parametric 5-band EQ, dynamic range control, volume, bass, treble, balance, loudness, mute, mono summing, and five selectable tone profiles. For passive subwoofer applications, a choice of 2nd or 4th order active crossover filters can be set using the parametric EQ, leaving the four remaining EQ filters available for room correction and tonal enhancement.

Output Bussing

Output bussing allows multiple zones to function as one, whether fed from the SWAMPE-8, the SWAMP-24X8, or another Sonnex Expander. Output bussing is ideal for grouping adjacent listening areas together or associating a subwoofer with its stereo speaker pair. Volume Offset adjustments allow for balancing the levels of each bussed zone for smooth, even coverage.

70/100V Option

Any zone output can be converted to 70 or 100 Volt using one or more Sonnex Output Transformers (SAT-70V/100V-2 or SAT-70V/100V-4^[1]). Also known as „constant-voltage”, 70 Volt and 100 Volt speaker systems allow for long wire runs using small-gauge wire, with the potential for connecting numerous speakers per circuit. Typical applications include outdoor speaker zones, commercial retail spaces, hallways, and common areas.

Simple, Versatile Installation

The SWAMPE-8 can be installed along with the SWAMP-24X8 at the central equipment rack, or separately at a remote location. It interfaces with the SWAMP-24X8 via a single CAT5e shielded twisted pair (STP) cable up to 200 ft (61 m) in length^[2]. This length can be increased to 2000 ft (610 m) using multimode fiber optic cable with the S-EXT1-S Sonnex Link over Fiber Extender^[1]. Plug-and-play connectivity affords an extremely easy installation, with full control access to all the SWAMPE-8 functions provided through the SWAMP-24X8.

Please see the SWAMP-24X8 spec sheet for complete Sonnex system information.