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In its most basic form, Multi-Room Audio can be achieved by adding a second set of speakers and a stereo amplifier to the Zone 2 outputs on your existing system. That's okay if you have them. If you have purchased a medium level (or higher) Home Theatre receiver in the past 18 months, chances are you have this feature available for you to use. If you don't have this feature or have older equipment, never mind, this just gives you more options. If you have an amplifier/receiver with "A and B speaker out" on it, we cannot stress enough, talk to an expert before hooking up the spare set of speakers from the old stereo! This is not true Multi-Room Audio and if implemented incorrectly, can damage your speakers and/or your amplifier and is not recommended.
Using the Zone 2 outputs is okay when you want to add a second room or a pair of outdoor speakers to your existing Audio/Visual setup. What you don't generally get with this sort of system is control.
For example, if you want to change volume, no problem. The remote control you got with your multi-zone capable amplifier/receiver probably lets you do it from the same room your main equipment is located in. That in itself can be a pain. Every time you want to change volume out on the deck, you need to walk back inside and point the remote at the main system, then go back out to your rapidly cooling BBQ and equally rapidly warming glass of wine. Not exactly ideal. Then there is that matter of changing sources. Forget about the BBQ for a minute, the kids left a Wiggles CD in the player and your formerly relaxed guests are now listening to a rendition of "We're Dancing With Wags the Dog" at a volume somewhat higher than seems fair for people you actually like. But wait, you have to go back into the house to turn it down as well as change the disc. There has to be a better way...
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