We have a lot of options when it comes to dining, and those options are only growing. Facing high levels of competition, many business owners seek ways to set themselves apart. Some install pickleball courts out back, while others focus on a fine dining aesthetic. The options are seemingly endless.
No matter what type of establishment you operate, customer experience will make or break your business. An effective way of providing fantastic customer experiences and making your restaurant stand above the rest is to install a high end sound system.
A restaurant sound system installation not only provides your guests with entertainment throughout their visit, but also ensures they don’t have to yell and strain to hear when communicating with their friends or families. When restaurants are too quiet, conversations can become awkward. If it’s too loud, guests could go home with headaches. Getting your sound system right helps you avoid both scenarios.
If you want to gain the full benefit of commercial sound systems for restaurants, the setup has to involve quality components and a well conceived plan.
Restaurant sound system components
The first topic we’ll touch on is a list of basic components you will need to get great sound out of your establishment. Some may seem obvious, and others you may not have thought of. Either way, they are all essential parts of a great AV system. Once you understand these basic components, you’ll have a much better idea of how to achieve the results you’re after with your restaurant sound system installation.
Audio sources
The first thing you’ll need to consider is the source of your sound. Whether you plan to host live music, play a mix of recorded music, or a little bit of both, you’ll need sources. These can include things like microphones, computers, or even personal electronic devices. The source of your sound will influence which components are right for you.
Be sure to consider any source you will be using. If you host live music on the weekends but shuffle a playlist the rest of the week, this is important information in planning your AV system design. You’ll need to make sure the other components in your system are able to handle both scenarios.
Mixer
You’ll use a mixer to balance your music. You’ve seen basic versions of mixers in everything from console stereo systems to the audio system in your vehicle. Mixers allow us to turn down the low end if it’s too bassy or focus more on vocal frequencies if that’s what we’re after. A quality mixer will ensure you get great sound without drowning out guest conversation.
Again, if you play both live and recorded music in your establishment, this is an important consideration. Recorded music will often play as recorded, but you may want to make adjustments to fit the vibe of your restaurant. Live music will require considerable mixing in order to achieve the balance and levels appropriate for your space, so a mixer is essential if live music is what you’re after.
Amplifier
In order to convey clean audio from the source to the speakers, we use amplifiers. They are simply electronic devices that increase the voltage, current, or power of audio signals. Without them, much of the audio input into the system would come out of our speakers with incredibly poor sound. As this is a crucial component in any restaurant sound system installation, it’s an important one to get right.
The amplifier market is a large one, so it’s important to get help if you don’t know exactly what you need. An amplifier with too little power won’t suffice for your needs, and one with too much power could unnecessarily send you over budget. Find the sweet spot in the middle and you’ll have the perfect sound in your place.
Speakers
Restaurant speakers are at the heart of your system, and they will ultimately make or break it. There’s no use creating beautifully balanced entertainment if it hits a bottleneck at the speakers. Your audio signals will only play as well as the speakers can represent them, so this is no place to skimp or choose the cheapest option. Speakers are incredibly important parts of any restaurant sound system.
Control system
A control system is another important component to consider for your restaurant sound system installation. It’s the element that ties all the other components together, and provides a central location for controlling the system. From the control center, you can operate and coordinate all components simultaneously or individually. The newer the technology, the more control you’ll have. Choosing a control system with a user friendly interface will even allow every employee to control guest comfort levels easily.
Other considerations
Creating the best sound system for a restaurant doesn’t fall solely on the shoulders of your AV equipment. There are some other variables and considerations that will significantly impact the performance of your system, and must be addressed if you want to get the most out of your restaurant sound system installation.
The room
Believe it or not, a room’s shape and dimensions have a huge impact on how it sounds. A larger room requires a more robust solution than a smaller one. The room itself will provide the parameters for choosing your components.
Your audio system will need to reach the whole front of the house without drowning out guest conversations. They should also be able to handle this task without cracking or popping or adding any other artifacts that could be created by inadequate equipment.
If you choose to utilize monitors, you’ll also need to use the space to guide your buying decision. You don’t want to go too large or small for the space, and you may have to contend with a lot of light if you have large windows. There are a lot of variables to account for.
In short, the room will dictate the best course of action for many aspects of your restaurant sound system installation, so make sure to pay attention.
Acoustic treatments
Unless your restaurant was designed specifically with acoustics in mind, chances are, you have some design elements that can cause acoustical issues if not accounted for. Sound waves bounce off the hard, reflective, often parallel surfaces and grow in volume as they bounce around the room. A restaurant sound system installation isn’t enough to combat these issues. You’ll need acoustical treatments like foam and panels to reduce echo and bring down the ambient volume.
By introducing softer, more absorbent surfaces into the space, we can reduce reverberation and make it much easier for guests to communicate. You’ll need to identify the proper placement to get the biggest benefits out of your acoustic treatments. The placement of your AV components has a lot to do with the ideal placement of your panels, so it’s helpful to work with pros if you have limited experience with sound design.
Purchasing your sound system
Now that you know what you need, you’ll need to know where you can get it. We know there are a ton of options out there, and that designing a restaurant audio installation can be an overwhelming task. It’s important to know where to spend your money. It’s also important to ensure your budget is realistic, given your needs. Accordingly, it’s important to have the help you need throughout the process.
Working with a company that can provide the products and expertise you need will save you a considerable amount of money in the long run. We can make sure you achieve the results you’re after, without going over budget. We can even help with any troubleshooting and set you up for future system expansion. Simply identify what you want out of your AV system, and we will do the rest.
Why invest in your sound system?
Many people who open restaurants think little about the sound. The restaurant was established to provide great food. Simple as that. Well, even if you don’t feature live bands or DJs, there are some great reasons to invest in a proper restaurant music system.
A restaurant sound system installation improves customer experience
If you’ve ever found yourself in a restaurant with poor sound, you may already know how sounds in a restaurant can negatively affect your experience. Maybe you were forced to sit in near silence or you found yourself shouting to be heard. Neither is an ideal way to spend your evening or your hard earned dollars. A restaurant sound system installation can help solve these issues and deliver quality entertainment at the same time. Win win.
Great sound can boost customer dwell time
The more pleasant the atmosphere, the more likely guests are to hang around a while and have a few more drinks. Maintaining an ambient soundscape that is lively but not loud is the perfect way to achieve this atmosphere. A properly designed sound system for restaurants gives you the ability to allow you to dial in the perfect balance and deliver the vibe your brand represents.
The bottom line
At the end of the day, we’re in business to make money. A restaurant sound system installation is one of those scenarios where spending a little money now can generate additional revenue for the foreseeable future. To make that additional revenue a reality, it’s got to be done right. Reach out if you want to learn more about adding a sound system in your establishment.