Expert: Cleggsan - 7/14/2009

Question
I was looking for help on setting up audio system for a small
2000 sq ft restaurant.  I was thinking of using TOA amp, atlas
speakers and using IPOD or Zune as a receiver.  What do you
think and is there a cheaper way of doing it?

Answer
It will work as you have proposed.  Cheaper?  Cost will depend on what level of audio quality you are looking for.  You did not give the number of speakers and the size of the amplifier.  Where there is a lot of crowd noise such as in a restaurant you will need multiple loudspeakers mounted in various locations in order to have uniform audio level.  Also, many restaurants have an automatic level controller to adjust it down when the area is quiet, etc.

MP3 sound when amplified up for full fidelity systems does not sound so good.  It is mostly for PC and headphone listening and not that good for high fidelity and reproduction systems like you are talking about.  You may want to go to full CD or non-compressed music source.

A space of 2000 sq ft is pretty big space for background music so better have about 4 locations of speakers. If you want stereo you will need 8 speakers maybe...

Hope this gives you some ideas on design and installation.

C