Large multi-speaker hifi installation for cafe

[supadee9000]

Hi...

Its great to see such a dedicated website and forum on audio... I spent a fair chunk of time looking for useful information... And here it is!

anyway... as the title suggests, I am trying to come up with a solid package, and advice, on installing a suitable sound system in my cafe.

At the moment I have a sound system that delivers ok sound, but the consistancy of audio level throughout the rooms is just not happening! In one part of the room its too loud for some diners and in other parts its too low! I would imagine only having 2 speakers, wall mounted, would be the problem.

I have done a little research and have the beginnings of a plan. But I would really appreciate some expert advice. And I think that there are some experts here more than capable of that!

So my plan is to have a large number of wall mounted speakers, placed evenly apart. The room dimensions are roughly:

Room 1: 6m wide x 10m long. Ceiling height throughout is 5m.

Room 2: 6m wide x 3m long (room 1 and 2 are seperated by a bar, leaving a 1m gap from bar to wall)

Room 3: 6m wide x 13m long


I envisage that a low ohm amplifier (4ohms, 300 watts) could be enough. With low ohm speakers too.

I know that I would need to make sure that power to all speakers would need to be kept at an optimum level through a speaker switch box of some sort... is this correct? Any ideas on this?

I imagine, each room being quite large, that I would need quite a number of speakers: perhaps 8 - 12 for each room?

I hope that someone can give me some good advice: it's really bugging me (and my valued patrons) and I would love to be able to remedy the situation as soon as possible.

Thanks in advance to anyone who reads and especially to any advice forthcoming...

All the best.

Dee Dee

[mantis]

OK,

each room should have about 4 speakers inceiling. Onwall ...........If you want but inceiling would be best.


Next you don't need all that power. What you need is seperate volume control to eachpair of speakaers so you can tailer each music area to suite proper dinning levels.

How you get this done correctly is going to a audio/ video specialist like Tweeter. We will send out a Field rep and he will go over what you want to do and make adjustments in your current system and guilde you where you need to be.

Multichannel amps with level control channels is a good way or you can drop in volume controls in each room/ zone area/ stereo pair.

[amulford]

whaddya tryin' to get a company junket to kanga land???

[RuSsMaN]

Are there Tweeter's down under?

Good one Anthony.

I agree, in-ceiling is the way to go. 2 pair (4) in the larger rooms, 1 pair (2) in the smaller room. You could go with 1 pair (2) in the larger rooms, and a single (1) speaker in the smaller room.

For a single speaker install (small room), check out the RC6s (http://www.polkaudio.com/home/products.php?category=9&speaker=363). It features a dual-voice-coil driver, and two tweeters. This allows you to get stereo sound, from a single speaker, and minimum install hassle. The one possible drawback is creating a single point-source of sound in said room.

For the larger rooms, I'd suggest the RC60i (http://www.polkaudio.com/home/products.php?category=9&speaker=127) . It features an aimable tweeter, which can come in real handy for a custom install like yours.

Next, you will need a good, high current 2ch amp and a switchbox with independant volume controls for each 'zone'. There are some multi-channel amps with volume controls for each channel, but they lean towards the pricey side.

Russound is a brand to check out on the switchbox side (at least in the states). 2ch amps are a dime a dozen, not sure what is available in the land down under, and with the proper voltage selection.

Also, check your local building codes, and make sure your wire is rated for use for an inwall/celing install. CL-3 is the rating stateside, if I recall correctly. The Fire Marshall can be a real bitch, if your not carefull.

Good luck, keep us posted mate.

Cheers,
Russ 'I am no professional, but I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night' Gates