What is the best intercom for replacing an old system?

It depends on the building. The best path is the one that matches the existing cable route, the number of users, and whether the job is a simple replacement or a real upgrade.

Should I keep the old cable or start fresh?

That depends on the building condition and whether the old route is worth preserving. Retrofit 2-wire is useful, but it is not automatically the best answer.

Can I replace an old intercom with an app-based system?

Often yes, but the way that is done depends on whether the site moves into IP or uses a retrofit-capable platform.

What photos help when replacing an old intercom?

Photos of the old panel, monitor, lock area, and any old cable or distribution cupboard are especially useful.

When should an old intercom replacement become a bigger building project?

That usually happens when the site is multi-tenant, the lock hardware also needs redesign, or the owners want much more than a like-for-like entry system.

Best Intercom for Replacing an Old System

Replacing an old intercom is often more about the building than the brand. The right first question is not what model looks latest. It is what cable path exists, what still works, what failed, and whether the building wants a like-for-like replacement or a genuine upgrade.

Retrofit

What to check first on an old intercom

How many doors or panels are involved.
Whether the old system is single-door, villa, apartment, or mixed-use.
Whether there is an existing cable route worth preserving.
Whether the lock release hardware is also being replaced.
Whether the building wants a simple replacement or a more modern app-capable system.

The main replacement directions

Replacement direction	Usually strongest for	Typical reference path
Fresh IP replacement	Newer renovations, buildings already opening walls, cleaner long-term upgrades	Hikvision IP, Dahua IP, Akuvox IP, Aiphone JO/IXG depending on site
2-wire retrofit replacement	Older buildings keeping the original cable route	Hikvision 2-wire or Akuvox 2-wire
Apartment or multi-tenant rebuild	Shared buildings where the whole management workflow needs fixing	Hikvision apartment, Aiphone IXG, selected Akuvox shared-entry paths
Simple one-door front entry refresh	Homes, consulting suites, small offices	A new IP kit may be all that is needed if the cable path allows it

Retrofit survey checklist before choosing parts

Photograph the old outdoor station and indoor station.
Check whether the old cable path is visible, labelled, or already proven dead.
Confirm whether the lock release hardware is staying or also being replaced.
Check if the building is willing to open walls or risers, or whether disruption must stay low.
Confirm whether the upgrade wants app answering, a fixed indoor monitor, or both.

Worked examples

Worked example

A tired old townhouse audio intercom

Situation: The owners have an old townhouse audio intercom and are willing to open a small amount of wall if the result is a cleaner app-capable upgrade.

Solution used: Move to a simple IP kit if Cat6 or a clean new cable path can be run without major disruption, rather than preserving the old system purely for the sake of it.

Why this was chosen: Once the owners are already prepared for a modest upgrade, a fresh IP path can be better value than carrying forward an old building path that no longer suits the way they want to use the door.

Installation notes: The door hardware and monitor location should be checked at the same time so the new system is not only more modern, but also more usable.

Worked example

A 1990s unit block with working cable risers but dead stations

Situation: A 1990s unit block still has working riser paths, but the old stations have failed and the owners want to avoid major common-area work.

Solution used: A 2-wire retrofit strategy using the existing cable route where it proves serviceable, with the new station and monitor plan built around that preserved path.

Why this was chosen: This is one of the clearest examples of where 2-wire can be very attractive. The building already has the path, the owners want to keep disruption low, and the upgrade problem is building-led rather than feature-led.

Installation notes: As always, the old cable should be checked rather than assumed. A dead station does not necessarily mean the whole riser is bad, but it also does not prove the riser is good.

When to ask for help before buying

This is where a door photo helps. If possible, send photos of the old door station, indoor station, the lock area, the cable cupboard, and any label showing the old model. A replacement decision is much better when it starts from the real site rather than guessing from memory.

Relevant SecurityWholesalers Categories and Products

These categories and products are the clearest references when the project starts with an existing intercom system.

IP Intercoms - Useful when the old system is being replaced with a fresh network path.
Hikvision Gen2 2-wire - Useful retrofit replacement path.
Akuvox 2-wire intercom - Alternative retrofit-smart-entry replacement path.
Aiphone intercoms - Useful where Aiphone is the preferred replacement brand direction.
Hikvision DS-KIS702Y-P - Clear 2-wire replacement reference.

Sources and Further Reading

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best intercom for replacing an old system?
It depends on the building. The best path is the one that matches the existing cable route, the number of users, and whether the job is a simple replacement or a real upgrade.
Should I keep the old cable or start fresh?
That depends on the building condition and whether the old route is worth preserving. Retrofit 2-wire is useful, but it is not automatically the best answer.
Can I replace an old intercom with an app-based system?
Often yes, but the way that is done depends on whether the site moves into IP or uses a retrofit-capable platform.
What photos help when replacing an old intercom?
Photos of the old panel, monitor, lock area, and any old cable or distribution cupboard are especially useful.
When should an old intercom replacement become a bigger building project?
That usually happens when the site is multi-tenant, the lock hardware also needs redesign, or the owners want much more than a like-for-like entry system.