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How to Get the Perfect Sound System for Your Business
How to Get the Perfect Sound System for Your Business
There are a lot of reasons businesses want to bring in high-quality audio. Hospitality establishments like hotels, restaurants or spas may wish to play relaxing music to create an ideal atmosphere for guests. A church or retail store may also want to use their commercial sound systems to share essential messages or sales. This blog highlights some questions you need to answer to ensure your Minnetonka, MN business has a sound system designed to meet any needs.
SEE MORE: 4 Things You Need to Know About Using TVs in Your Restaurant
HOW MANY SPEAKERS SHOULD YOU HAVE?
This is one of the first questions we get, and it’s also one of the most natural things to get wrong. Having too few speakers will result in uneven sound with some clients hearing unbearably loud audio while those further away are unable to hear anything. If your clients can tell they’re walking under or by a speaker, then you know you need more of them.
Usually, a good rule of thumb is to have them evenly spread out along the ceiling. Place them twice the distance apart as the distance from the ceiling to the floor. This means if your ceilings are eight feet high, the speakers should be 16 feet apart. Opposite to popular belief, the higher the ceilings, the fewer speakers (at greater output) you’ll need since they have more space to offer wide dispersal of sound.
WHAT KIND OF AMPLIFIER DO YOU NEED?
Every commercial sound system should have a 70-volt amplifier at its core. How does the high voltage make it easier to power a large number of low-watt speakers? Power equals voltage times current. The higher the voltage, the lower the current you need which helps to reduce waste and prevent overheating.
Each speaker has a transformer that converts the high-voltage/low current from the amp to the speaker’s necessary levels to accomplish uniform volume and power. Even out the sound by sending more power to areas with more ambient noise like bars or outdoor spaces.
WHICH CABLES SHOULD YOU USE?
70-volt amplifiers allow you to use thinner, more energy-efficient wiring no matter how many speakers you connect. Get a professional to install your system to ensure you’re using cables that meet building codes. Running the wrong type of wire not only affects signal strength but could even result in a fire. Once we’ve outlined the power requirements and distance you need to cover, we typically decide between 14 gauge or 16-gauge copper wire.
WHAT MUSIC WILL YOU LISTEN TO?
Ultimately, a lot of the most significant decisions will have to do with your music sources. Not only do you need to figure out the type of music you want to listen to, but where you’ll be getting it. Do you want to use digital playlists or streaming services? For the latter, we help you add Bluetooth or Wi-Fi capabilities.
Carefully choose your music to avoid any legal issues down the line. Royalties for any public performance are legally required under the Copyright Act of 1976. Explore music services that offer specific soundtracks for businesses which include fully licensed music.
Are you in a setting where you’ll need to broadcast live music or presentations? The requirements for live sound are slightly different as you’ll need a separate PA system with additional microphones, transducers, mixers, and amplifiers.
HOW WILL YOU CONTROL YOUR SYSTEM?
There are a variety of ways you can control your sound system depending on how often you plan on adjusting it and how tech-savvy your staff is. Every system can benefit from at least one primary on-wall controller so the team can quickly adjust source or volume. We also integrate your commercial sound system with the smart device of your choice so that you can make any needed changes from a touchpad, tablet, or smartphone.
Ready to bring higher-quality audio to your commercial property? Reach out to one of our AV experts to learn more about our installation services and find out which custom solution makes the most sense for your space. Call us at (612) 353-5087, fill out our online contact form, or chat with a live representative