Just like with our earlier 8-zone controllers, zones 7 and 8 are not amplified and have the option to be either fixed or variable level outputs so that installers are free to choose the best amplifier for their customers’ needs. The main reason for this is that there are typically between 1-2 zones of a home that require more power. This could be in a Great Room with a large footprint or high ceilings, or in any outdoor zone where even the 50 watts of the SMZ8 are not enough power for the customers’ needs.

We support Control4, URC, and RTI. Drivers are currently in development and going through the certification process at each of these companies. Contact Russound if you have an upcoming job with any of these control systems until the drivers are fully certified and released.

The Stereo/Mono option is available to the installer in Web Config.

Yes, and no. If you have a single MCA-88 controller, it can be replaced by an SMZ8 fairly easily with one important distinction – the MCA-88 was able to support proprietary Russound keypads and touchscreens such as the SLK-1, MDK-C5, MDK-C6 and TS3. Those keypads and touchscreens are NOT compatible with the SMZ8. The SMZ8 can be controlled through the Russound app, through the Russound XTS7 touchscreen, or with the convenience keypad, the IPK-1.

Any keypads/touchscreens that required a connection to the rear panel of the MCA-88 are NOT compatible with the SMZ8. The keypads/touchscreens mentioned were last sold by Russound in 2021.

No, the SMZ8 cannot be combined with any different controller models in the same installation. Just like it wasn’t possible to combine an MCA-88 with an MCA-66, the SMZ8 must be combined with additional SMZ8s whenever more zones are needed in a system.

Yes, unfortunately, that is the case. Russound does offer special upgrade pricing for these situations as we understand how important it is to support our older installations as much as we possibly can.

Yes, you can, but keep in mind that there are some limitations. When you add MBX-AMPs in a system with an SMZ8, the MBX-AMP will be an independent zone and will not be able to share any sources or synchronize audio with the SMZ8 zones. The MBX-AMP zone will only be able to access any sources that are directly connected to it. The exception to this is Apple AirPlay and Google Cast. Because these have their own grouping system, it is possible to synchronize audio with them among SMZ8 and MBX-AMPs on the same network.

Yes, more than one group can be active at the same time. There are still network bandwidth limitations and using more than 10 total speakers at the same time is not recommended.

The SMZ8 uses separate advanced Class D amplifiers for each of the six amplified zones.

The legacy KNX-RIO has not been tested with the SMZ8.

The IP address of the device that is being controlled by the Russound app is available in the Advanced Settings menu accessed by pressing and holding the settings icon in the Russound app for a few seconds. Keep in mind that the Russound app can connect to any Russound device within the home so if there is more than one Russound device, the IP address shown will be for the connected device only. Once you tap on the IP address, Web Config will open and you can use the drop-down menu in the upper right corner of Web Config to quickly access every other Russound SMZ or MBX product on the network.

The USB-C port is for audio input and will work with flash drives, USB hard drives (with external power) and as a side benefit when you’re on a job site, can even charge your phone while you’re working

The ARC input is designed to connect to the ARC port of your TV. Most TVs will automatically detect the SMZ8 and configure themselves automatically, but on some TVs you may need to adjust the TV settings so that the TV audio is transmitted to the ARC port and formatted for PCM Stereo output. Only PCM Stereo is supported. The SMZ8 does not perform any audio decoding or down-mixing from multi-channel audio to stereo.

The DSP settings on the SMZ8 are very robust and are configured using the Russound app. You must have App version 1.7 or higher in order to control the SMZ8. From the app, you can choose from preset speaker modes for using the SMZ8 with any current models of Russound speakers, or custom tailor the 7-band EQ as desired. There are also 24 acoustic presets:

Because the baluns are ARC capable, they should work but this is entirely dependent on the baluns. Russound recommends testing any baluns in their intended application to confirm that any particular brand/model works for the intended use.

Yes, you can configure both of these. The Turn-On volume is available in the Russound app settings menu. The max volume level for a zone is configured in Web Config by the installer using the Volume Trim settings for a zone.

Yes, you can use all of the internal streamers. The SMZ8 has a special dedicated “Streamer Out” connection that solves this problem. Each internal streamer has its own source number default based on the Controller ID switch.

Yes. The ARC input is designed to work with a specific zone on the SMZ8, called a Primary Zone. For example, if you are connecting the Master Bedroom TV to the ARC input, the Primary Zone would be the Master Bedroom.

Once the ARC connection is made and the Master Bedroom is configured in Web Config as the Primary Zone CEC (Connected Equipment Commands) are used for communications between the bedroom TV and the Master Bedroom zone of the SMZ8. Using your TV’s remote control, you will be able to adjust the Master Bedroom’s volume, turn on/off the Zone when the TV is turned on/off, etc.

Yes. The ARC input is designed to work with a specific zone on the SMZ8, called a Primary Zone. For example, if you are connecting the Master Bedroom TV to the ARC input, the Primary Zone would be the Master Bedroom.

Once the ARC connection is made and the Master Bedroom is configured in Web Config as the Primary Zone CEC (Connected Equipment Commands) are used for communications between the bedroom TV and the Master Bedroom zone of the SMZ8. Using your TV’s remote control, you will be able to adjust the Master Bedroom’s volume, turn on/off the Zone when the TV is turned on/off, etc.

Yes, you can share the TV audio to any other rooms. Because the SMZ8 utilizes an advanced digital audio matrix, there is no noticeable delay or lag when other rooms are listening to any source. This is different from many wireless audio systems where it isn’t possible to share the audio signal from a video source like a TV without having a noticeable delay between the video source and the accompanying audio.

The SMZ8 uses less than 1/2-watt when it is on standby.

The Russound app is all that you need to control any room in the home with the SMZ8. We do recommend adding at least 1 convenience keypad like the IPK-1 or even a full control option like the XTS7 touchscreen in at least one room of the home, but they are not needed to operate the system if using the Russound app.

Yes, the Russound app has an advanced settings menu accessed by pressing and holding the settings icon for a few seconds. There is a reboot option for any particular Russound network product as well as an option to reboot every Russound device on the network.

Yes, the Russound app supports both phones and tablets. The larger screen area of an iPad/tablet allows for a lot more area to access favorites, view sources and rooms, etc.

There is no limit for this with the SMZ8. That is one of the advantages of using the advanced digital matrix design of the SMZ-Series. You can have synchronized audio in every zone in the system, up to the maximum size of 48 zones using 6 SMZ8s in the same system.

• Built-in Hi-Res streamer – We’ve included the same popular streaming technology from our MBX-Series in the new SMZ8. This means you can easily add MBX-PREs as additional streamers so that everyone in the home can have their own personal streamer.
• HDMI Input – With out-of-the-box support for the ARC port on any TV, instantly add a TV as a source in your SMZ8 installation. With CEC support, your TV remote will now control the corresponding zone’s volume level. It also allows for lag-free synchronization across all of the SMZ zones, so when watching the big game, you can have every room in the house play the TV audio, perfectly synchronized with no lip synch issues or delays. Setting that room as the “Primary Zone” in Web Config allows the TV to turn on the SMZ’s audio zone whenever the TV is turned on.
• DSP – Russound’s first full DSP system with a 7-band graphic EQ (controlled through the Russound app) and including customized presets for optimizing the sound with all of Russound’s speaker models. It includes a pink noise generator and settings for stereo/mono output for any zone, perfect for all of your outdoor zones where stereo sound isn’t needed.
• 2-Port Ethernet Switch – Tired of running out of free ethernet ports in your installs? Russound has you covered by providing a 2-port 10/100 ethernet switch. Connect one port to your router and use the available 2nd port to connect a second ethernet device. Keep in mind that if you turn off the power to the SMZ8, it’s the same as turning off the ethernet switch and any connected device will lose its network signal. This does not include standby mode. During standby mode, any connected device continues to work normally.
• Powerful 50 watts per channel – With six zones of amplification @50 watts per channel and a design that is stable to 4 ohms, you have the freedom to use up to 2 pairs of 4-ohm speakers for every zone. The SMZ8 pairs perfectly with any Russound D-Series amp. Use Bus Input A for Zone 7 and Bus Input B for Zone 8 for example and then customize every amplifier zone to add more speakers wherever needed, or even more amplifiers for even larger systems or outdoor installations.
• Built-in Wi-Fi – We always recommend using a wired network connection whenever possible but we all know that there are some installations where that just isn’t possible. Because of that, we have included built-in Wi-Fi support (802.11ac) so that you can use it whenever needed.
• Bluetooth^® and more Bluetooth – Not only is there a built-in Bluetooth source, but the SMZ8 has Bluetooth options that can work regardless of the layout or size of the home. If the SMZ8 is placed in an equipment rack in the basement, the built-in Bluetooth may not have the necessary range to reach the right part of the home. For that reason, Russound incorporates a proprietary port, for adding an optional BTC-2X Bluetooth transceiver that can be placed up to 500’ away from the SMZ8 using a single CAT cable to connect them. Additionally, the SMZ8 has RNET ports that allow additional Bluetooth inputs, each located up to 500’ away using Russound’s unique BSK-2 Bluetooth Source Kits. Using the BSK-2 allows you to get full song metadata as well as control of the Bluetooth source from the Russound app, IPK-1 keypad or the XTS7 touchscreen.
• Expandable up to 48 zones with the freedom to locate additional SMZ8 controllers wherever your wiring plans need them to be. Each additional SMZ8 controller will be placed on the network and can be located anywhere in the home. The only consideration is that audio sources shared among controllers must be brought to each SMZ8. Audio baluns using simple CAT wiring is an easy way to accomplish this.
• When using more than one SMZ8, every built-in streamer is available – Previous generations of Russound products were not able to take advantage of the built-in streamers in larger systems that used additional controllers. The SMZ8 solves that problem by incorporating a dedicated “Streamer Out” analog output that can be fed into other controllers as a source. So now, if you have a 10-zone audio system using two SMZ8 controllers, both of the internal streamers are available as sources to anyone in the home at any time.
• Simplified App Setup for faster installations – Use the Russound app (Version 1.7 or higher) to set up the SMZ8. Many of the initial setup that was previously done in the Google Home app or in Web Config can now be done seamlessly in the Russound app. The app will discover new Russound devices, walk you through the basic setup, including network or Wi-Fi configuration, RCI unlocking, and even firmware updates if any are available. You’re even able to unlock other Russound products that are on the same network and initiate a firmware update on all Russound devices, too, all with the press of a single button. Please note that these features will be made available in Q1 2025 for all MBX products, too.

Yes, just like with the MBX products and MCA controllers today, the Alexa voice control using Russound’s two custom skills works with the SMZ8, too.

While Apple Music is not one of the built-in services, it is easy to use by using AirPlay to send the content to the SMZ8 and if a Primary Zone is configured, AirPlay can automatically turn on the zone and then adjust that zone’s volume levels from your iPhone or iPad.

The ARC input is designed to connect to the ARC port of your TV. Most TVs will automatically detect the SMZ and configure themselves automatically, but on some TVs you may need to adjust the TV settings so that the TV audio is transmitted to the ARC port and formatted for PCM Stereo output.

Yes. The ARC input is designed to work with a specific zone on the SMZ, called a Primary Zone. For example, if you are connecting the Master Bedroom TV to the ARC input, the Primary Zone would be the Master Bedroom.

Once the ARC connection is made and the Master Bedroom is configured in Web Config as the Primary Zone CEC (Connected Equipment Commands) are used for communications between the bedroom TV and the Master Bedroom zone of the SMZ. Using your TV’s remote control, you will be able to adjust the Master Bedroom’s volume, turn on/off the Zone when the TV is turned on/off, etc.

Yes, you can share the TV audio to any other rooms. Because the SMZ utilizes an advanced digital audio matrix, there is no noticeable delay or lag when other rooms are listening to any source. This is different from many wireless audio systems where it isn’t possible to share the audio signal from a video source like a TV without having a problematic delay.

The DSP settings on the SMZ are very robust and are configured using the Russound app. You must have App version 1.7 or higher in order to control the SMZ. From the app, you can choose from preset speaker modes for using the SMZ with any current models of Russound speakers, or custom tailor the 7-band EQ as desired. There are also 24 acoustic presets:

Like the SMZ8 and the MBX-Series, the SMZ16-PRE uses RIO and will be supported for Control4, URC, and RTI. Drivers are still in certification but beta versions are available to anyone who needs them.

Yes, just like with the MBX products and MCA controllers today, the Alexa voice control using Russound’s two custom skills works with the SMZ-Series

Yes, you can use all of the internal streamers. The SMZ-Series have a special dedicated “Streamer Out” connection that solves this problem. Each internal streamer has its own source number default based on the Controller ID dial on the SMZ’s rear panel.

The Stereo/Mono option is available to the installer in Web Config

The SMZ8 and SMZ16-PRE are not designed to work in the same system, just like you wouldn’t use an MCA-66 with an MCA-88.

If you use a total of 6 SMZ16-PRE chassis, you can have up to 96 audio zones in a system.

The RNET protocol is not needed when using the SMZ-Series controllers. All SMZ controllers need to be on the same network and have their individual Controller Number dials set properly on the rear panel. The first controller is always Controller #1. The second controller would be #2, etc, all the way up to the sixth controller which would be Controller #6.

We've been discussing this for some time but we don't have a timeframe for that feature yet.

The outputs can be set for stereo or mono but not the inputs. The inputs are all stereo inputs.

No. Not currently. We've been considering adding some kind of password protection to limit that. If you use an XTS7 you can use Android protection features such as requiring a passcode or pin to access the touchscreen.

There is one embedded streaming module on the SMZ16-PRE. You can additionally add on external MBX-PREs as sources on the unit as well to add additional streamers. Russound recommends having a streamer for every person in the home so that they can each listen to their own music anywhere in the home.

Although we still have inventory of the KNX-RIO-1, we have not been doing any updates on it and it does not support Sources 9-16 or any of the new features available for the SMZ Series such as DSP or advanced audio support. Please reach out to Russound International Sales for some suggestions on using KNX with Russound.

If you’re using our MBX-Series, here's a link to BAB Technology that supports a KNX MBX installation of up to 32 MBX devices. https://bab-technologie.com/neu-im-appmarket-ambx/

We do not currently have a driver for Crestron, but our RIO protocol is available on our website for download for anyone who would like to write a control driver for Russound MBX, MCA, or SMZ-Series products.

Yes. You can use MBX products with the MCA-Series or SMZ-Series of Russound controllers: MCA-66, MCA-88, MCA-88X, SMZ8 and SMZ16-PRE. The MBX-PRE is designed to be used as the preferred dedicated streaming audio source for these products. When using an MBX-PRE, the MCA-66, MCA-88, SMZ8 and SMZ16-PRE are the ideal models to use. Make sure the MCA-Series or SMZ-Series are running the latest firmware version in order for all of the devices to work properly together. The MBX-AMP is an excellent choice to use as a remote zone in any MCA system.

Keep in mind that there is no sharing of sources between an MCA or SMZ controller and an MBX-AMP. This also means that it is not possible to join rooms from a controller with remotely connected MBX-Series rooms. Other than those limitations, there are no other issues with using an MBX product as a remote room in a controller-based system. You can access and control any room seamlessly from the Russound app or XTS-Series touchscreens.

The MBX-PRE cannot be used as a dedicated source with the C-Series controllers: MCA-C3, MCA-C5. It is possible however for the MBX-AMP to be used as a remote zone for a C-Series controller and the MBX-AMP will work the same as it does with the MCA-Series controllers, i.e. no sharing of sources or joining of rooms is possible, but other than that there are no limitations in usage. The MBX-PRE could also be used in Zone Mode with a dedicated amplifier to work in the same way as the MBX-AMP remote zone if desired.

Using the MBX products with Russound’s XStream products is not recommended or supported. When updating any system to Russound’s MBX-Series of products, we recommend replacing all XStream Series products with MBX-Series products. The capabilities and the user experience are vastly different between the two. Users would not have a good experience going from one to the other within the same system. This also means that the internal streamer of the MCA-88X should be disabled when adding an MBX-product to the system. You may re-use that source with any other source connected to the system other than a Russound  Media Streamer.  If installing a new system, the MCA-66 or MCA-88 should be the controllers used with MBX-PRE and MBX-AMP music streamers.

The MBX-Series products are designed to be controlled by the latest versions of the Russound app, the IPK-1 or by the XTS-Series touchscreens. Any MBX-PRE in Source Mode connected to an MCA-Series controller is also fully controllable through the MCA-Series keypads, the SLK-1 and MDK-C6.  Russound XTS-Series touchscreens and the Russound app must have our Version 1.7 or higher in order to access the features available in the MBX-Series of products. Users can check for updates for the XTS-Series touchscreens through the settings menu and the Android and iOS apps can be downloaded at these links:

iOS App
Android App

When audio is being cast to the MBX-Series using Google Cast, AirPlay, or Bluetooth, the XTS-Series touchscreens can be used for full volume control including mute and volume up and down. Additionally, basic audio controls like play/pause, Skip Forward, and Skip Back are also available. If using voice control, additional features like music selection or playing favorites may be available, depending on the plaftorm being used for voice control.

Yes. VoicePlay is designed to be your primary Alexa interface in the room and can be used to control your Alexa-enabled smarthome devices. For example, just say “Alexa, turn on the Kitchen Lights” to activate your compatible smart lights in the Kitchen.

VoicePlay products can play synchronized audio using Amazon MRM (Multi-room Music) that is set up using the Alexa app, or can play synchronized audio content from any iOS device using Apple AirPlay.

We have created a simple guide to walk you through the process. It is available by clicking here.

Once a group has been set up, you can send music to the group by using Alexa voice commands or by using the Alexa app to select and play the music. For example, if you have a group called “Everywhere”, you can say “Alexa, play The Rolling Stones everywhere”. MRM groups are also available in the Spotify app and can be selected from the available speaker list within the Spotify app.

The VoicePlay systems and MBX-Series products from Russound are separate systems and are not designed to be used together. That being said, there are some things that can be done to share audio content via Apple AirPlay 2. If using an iOS device as the audio source, simply select the VoicePlay or MBX-Series products from the list of available AirPlay speakers. Using AirPlay 2 allows the audio content from an iOS device to synchronize among multiple AirPlay 2 compatible speakers.

Apple has not published a final number for this feature.

This is not currently possible however, Russound plans to add Amazon MRM support to the MBX-Series in a future release which would also allow for grouping of the two systems and would not require audio content from iOS devices. Using MRM for sharing audio between VoicePlay and MBX-Series products would allow content to be selected and shared from the Alexa app or by using Alexa voice control.

Yes, more than one group can be active at the same time. There are still network bandwidth limitations and using more than 10 total speakers at the same time is not recommended.

Amazon COMMS, the ability to “Drop-in” on a room or make announcements to rooms is in the process of being implemented for VoicePlay. We are working on this implementation and it will be released as a free software update when available.

Yes, once an MRM group has been created in the Alexa app, it will be available to select from within the Spotify app as an available speaker selection.

No, the VoicePlay system does not currently support using a password for Apple AirPlay. Keep in mind that only iOS devices on the same network as your VoicePlay product will be able to play content to it using AirPlay.

Yes, but this is not recommended. The VoicePlay system is designed to bring effortless voice control to your audio system and your compatible smart home devices. Without linking to an Amazon account, the capabilities of VoicePlay are greatly limited. Bluetooth audio, Spotify Connect, Apple AirPlay and the internal streaming sources would be the only available audio sources.

Pairing mode can be activated using voice control by saying “Alexa, pair my phone”. Bluetooth pairing can also be activated by selecting “Bluetooth” as the audio source using the VoicePlay app.

No, there is no PIN required because VoicePlay can only pair to a Bluetooth device when you want it to. It is not an automatic pairing device and only pairs when put into pairing mode by voice command or by using the VoicePlay app. VoicePlay uses the same pairing method as any Amazon device such as an Echo and is only available to pair to a device when pairing mode is made active by you.

Yes, but a speaker-level to line-level adapter is required. Simply connect the speaker level output from the V-KP-1 to the adapter and then connect the adapter's line-level output to the additional amplifier. One example of this is the PAC SNI-35 Variable Line Out Converter available on Amazon.

At this time, favorites can not be activated through the VoicePlay app. We recommend using Alexa and voice commands to play your favorite content on any supported service which can include personalized favorites stored on each service.

No, a neighbor or other party cannot connect to your VoicePlay product’s Bluetooth connection. Pairing a device can only be initiated by someone in your home by voice command such as “Alexa, pair my phone” or by using the VoicePlay app while on your home Wi-Fi network. The VoicePlay app will only control your devices if it is on the same Wi-Fi network.

No, a neighbor or other party cannot connect to your VoicePlay unless you give them access to your home Wi-Fi connection. Only devices on the same network can use your AirPlay or Spotify Connect on your VoicePlay products.

Go to Webconfig on your SMZ, MCA, or MBX device and on the Zone setup page for the zone you want to configure, go to Keypad Pairing and select Start.

To make this easy, you can do this from your phone as you walk around a home to each IPK-1 that you want to pair.

When the IPK-1’s LED is flashing to show it is in pairing mode, simply press and hold Favorite 1 and Favorite 2 simultaneously until the LED flashes a confirmation. That’s it. The IPK-1 is paired.

Just go back to WebConfig on the correct zone you want and re-do the steps to pair. IPK-1 keypads can be re-paired easily to different zones by an installer.

Yes, you can pair multiple IPK-1 keypads to the same zone. This might be convenient in a large room with widely separated entrances and the customer wants to have easy audio control from either end of the room.

The IPK-1 uses a RIO session, just like the XTS touchscreen family and the Russound app (and 3rd party control systems). A Russound system can have a maximum of 63 RIO connections.

The SLK-1 connected to the keypad port on the rear of an MCA-Series chassis. The IPK-1 requires a wired connection to the IP network. Make sure to connect the IPK-1 to a PoE LAN port or use a PoE injector on a standard LAN port. Plugging an IPK-1 into the keypad port of an SMZ-Series or MCA-Series will not work but should not harm the IPK-1 or the controller.

Yes, the firmware is updateable but updates for the keypad should be very rare. The keypad goes through an automatic firmware check every time that it power cycles, and updates are very quick, taking 10-15 seconds only if they should ever be needed.

The micro-USB is only used at the factory. You do not need to use it or leave it accessible.

Yes, the IPK-1 is designed with a standard Decora insert and works great with both screw and screwless wallplates.

Unfortunately, the IPK-1 doesn’t work with our legacy products. Those products do not have any method of pairing the IPK-1 to a zone.

When using multiple IPK-1’s in the same room, the Favorites are shared among them. So the same Favorites are available from each of the IPK-1’s. The keypads access the Zone Favorites that are stored on the SMZ-Series, MCA-Series, or MBX-Series device.

Yes. The IPK-1’s Favorites 1 and 2 are the same as the MBX-Series front panel Favorites 1 and 2 and for an MCA-Series system, they are the same as Zone Favorites 1 and 2 that you can access with an MDK-C6 keypad.