Monoprice 108231 2-Channel A/B Speaker Selector - Black with Volume Control, Built in Independent Volume Controls, Accepts Wire Gauges Up to 14AWG

This is a solid component that solves a common problem at a reasonable price. I already had a distribution unit, but it sent the same voltage to each selected speaker set. In order to reproduce enough volume from an outdoor pair, it had been necessary to disengage the indoor pair, because the indoor volume would be unacceptably high. With this component in place, balancing the two pairs became simple. I doubt I’ll often touch the volume limiters going forward, and cutting out the patio pair when not in use is a simple matter of pushing one button.At least from external observation, this is a really well-made component, much heavier than I expected with few plastic parts. I disagree with other reviewers that the speaker wire connections are cheap or inadequate. They’re are merely designed to be semi-permanently connected with screw down closures, which is precisely what you want, in my opinion.I cannot inspect the internal circuits without disassembling the unit, of course, but there is no discernible tonal drop-off or detectable distortion from incorporating the device. The cabinet remains cool after hours of use. I have every reason to think that the internal quality is as high as the external.Highly recommended!

This is a well-built unit, feels sturdy, knob & button action is smooth and solid, and the functionality is spot on. The included set of labels is a nice touch, though the text on the labels is pretty small, about an 8-point font, so a bit hard to read. I’ll probably print my own labels.The only real complaint I have is with the wire connections. Rather than using standard spring-type or banana plug connectors like you’d find on any AV receiver, they used small-gauge screw clamp connectors — and they used the type that are really made for solid wires. It’s almost impossible to shove stranded speaker wire into these clamps, and it better not be bigger than about 14awg. I managed to get it all wired up, but it was far more difficult than it should have been (had to use a tiny screwdriver to force the clamps open), and I’m not confident that those clamps will hold the wires securely long term.

When using two sets of speakers in one location, if the pairs of speakers are not of the same efficiency, one pair will be louder than the other. This component allows you to set the volume of each set to perfectly balance the two sets of speakers. There is another control for protecting the amplifier or receiver from being overloaded. This was the perfect solution to my problem. There was no loss of sound quality and my system is now perfectly balanced. I ended up buying a second unit for another setup. I am very peaseed with the results. The unit is very well built,of obviously high quality and was a good value as I have seen this exact model sell for much more.

Two of the connections fell apart as I setup this machine. Calibration of volume is extremely difficult and not-at-all-intuitive. And the resulting sound quality from my speakers was spectacularly degraded.The many positive comments here suggest that if you are sophisticated with speaker technology, then this item works for you. For me, this item went to Goodwill the next day ... and yes, I feel guilty about my "contribution" there.

This is a good piece of equipment, although rather larger than it seems like it needs to be. I purchased a small Yamaha receiver for our kitchen and never thought for a moment about whether it had two separate speaker outputs. Imagine my surprise when I was hooking it up and couldn't find a place to connect the 2nd set of speakers! The whole point of buying this nice Yamaha receiver was to save space (it's barely wider than a CD case), but with this switcher, the two take up almost as much room as the old receiver this replaced :-( But anyway the switcher itself works great, and since there are actually "volume" knobs for each set of speakers, I can now choose the level I want in the kitchen and the family room (before I was at the mercy of the efficiency of the different speakers). I put "volume" in quotes because these knobs are not potentiometers but rather stepped switches (this is to be able to handle more power output from the receiver). I would give this unit 5 stars if it weren't for the cheap plastic knobs on the volume controls. And the fact that it's kind of big and clunky. But it does what I need it to and I would buy it again.

I was in a situation where I need to use one amp with single speaker outputs to drive two sets of speakers. Unfortunately the speaker impedances are different and so they play at different loudness levels at the same amp setting. I found this product and figured for the price, why not try it; I know Monoprice and they'd never sold me a bad product before.When my selector arrived it was in pieces. The three long screws on the bottom and their nuts were loose or out. I took the metal casing apart, located the missing parts and re-attached them without issue the put the whole thing together.Hookups are straight forward but it would be nice if there were a little more room; one stray strand of speaker wire and you could short out both speaker channels. I only needed one input, two output so I've got room to grow with this two input system.Amp to input A. local speakers to output 1, remote speakers to output 2. Front source selectors to "A", turn both outputs "ON" and turn to full volume on the switch. A quick test or three with my DB meter at both speaker sets and turning the local speaker volume down by about ⅓ and output level of both pair is even enough to suit my needs.I don't think I could have build a rig for less than this and I get an all metal enclosure with dual inputs to boot.