Meeting room/small Theater Needs

[nigel777]

Hello, Not sure if you can help as I think this site is directed toward home theater only. BUT! I live in a gated community with a clubhouse. Meeting room is 47' wide x 78' long with 15' ceilings. There is a small stage and the room is used for meetings (200+) and theater, both drama and musicals with dialogue. We presently have 2 Peavey SP 5X wall mounted about 2o; in front of stage on side walls. Sound is awful! We are wanting to replace and have looked at some Bose speakers, but they are also advertised as being for home theater. I will welcome any and all rec's or suggestions. I am a novice!

 

[jaxvon]

Welcome!

Step 1: Stay away from Bose. They do not offer good sound, only good marketing and a high price. The will *not* serve you well.

Step 2: Start looking into more pro audio stuff. Many PA speakers have crappy sound, as you are experiencing right now. Depending on the scale of the theater productions, you might have different needs in terms of equipment. What you look at is also dependent on your budget.

Some questions:

How big is the budget for the project? Can it include a professional installer? (this might be needed)

 

[markw]

Jax brings up several good points.

This is NOT a small home theatre and you most likely won't find what you are looking forat Best Buy. ...and Bose is not the answer. Trust us on this one. This is not simply bose bashing, but unless you drop big bux into their pro stuff, it ain't gonna work.

From what you describe, I envision a mixer (for the theatrical productions), several amps and speakers* and some training on how to get the most out of it. We use some thong like this at our church and, if possible, you might want to check out what some churches in your area use.

A pro might be a good bet.

BTW, I don't recall you mentioning a budget. That might help. It ain't gonna be cheap.

*perhaps some eq and reverb as well as some NICE wireless microphones.

 

[majorloser]

thong like this at our church

Thongs in church?

 

[nigel777]

Meeting Room/small theater

Thanx for the replies!
We do have other equipment including a mixer, amplifier, wireless mikes, and other mikes. Some equipment is good some is bad. Basic problem is that sound / voice or music is not heard in back 1/4 of room. Not heard clearly anywhere....way too much base. I stated that I am a novice. I am interested and amused that so many have problems with Bose.

We have been advised by a resident's family member that the Bose 301/201 combo will do nicely. I am concerned that it is far too small. As for budget....really not sure. We operate on annual budgets so many people clamoring for $$$$. We do generate income of a few hundred dollars per year.
Probably need pro help but that also cosrs $$$.

Thanx Again!!

 

[markw]

Well then go for uiit.

I am interested and amused that so many have problems with Bose.

Nobody is dissing Bose pro gear. If you'll notice I suggested you check out their pro gear, which ain't too bad. It's not my preference, but it's certainly better than it's home gear..

We have been advised by a resident's family member that the Bose 301/201 combo will do nicely. I am concerned that it is far too small.

Your concerns are well founded. That's low end consumer gear. What works in a home won't necessarially work in a larger room where vocal clarity and dispersion is an issue.

You need speakers. .. real speakers. ...and enough power to drive then properly. Two really good speakers mounted in the center up by the ceiling, tilted down and facing slightly outwards with the proper eq can work wonders.

 

[jaxvon]

That Bose combo would do horribly. If the sound is poor in the back of the room, I would look at installing some side-fill speakers and perhaps extra subwoofers towards the back. This would allow you to lower the bass levels on the mains to get proper balance. In-ceiling speakers would also be useful for sound when it's just a person speaking.

 

[JaceTheAce]

Oh gaud... someone was recommending a Bose system to you? Bose has done an exceptional job at brainwashing it's advertising audience. Hell, I should invest in Bose stock!

Avoid Bose, even for home use, unless you don't have any concern for good quality sound but want speakers that look great with your decor. Bose is good for WAF and to oooooooh and aaaaah your neighbors who caught the Bose bug from their late night infomercials, but nothing more.

 

[Haoleb]

One basic rule when shopping for audio/theater gear is leave the neighborhood audio buff at home, he probbably doesnt know that much and will just pressure you into buying something he/she already owns.

Of couse. there are exceptions.

 

[Reorx]

I recommend a JBL Pro solution.
http://www.jblpro.com/
I've worked with, and currently own a JBL pro speaker, and love them.

 

[markw]

Good choice.

I recommend a JBL Pro solution.
http://www.jblpro.com/
I've worked with, and currently own a JBL pro speaker, and love them.

I'd say a pair of the 3677's would be ideal, each about 1/3 of the room width from the side walls tilted slightly down. ...assuming enough power and proper eq.

 

[BMXTRIX]

Your room really sounds like it needs proper speaker reinforcement for the vocals. The low end is clearly carrying with no problem and with plenty of power, but the room needs some acoustical treatment and proper vocal reinforcement so all seats can hear easily and accurately.

A few hundred bucks isn't the solution and you really - REALLY - need someone involved who knows what they are talking about and give you some perspective of what the situation is. I have done some clubhouse rooms for residential communities and their budgets have typically been $20K+ to do the room correctly. Even getting really good pricing and a lot of used gear, getting by for less than a few thousand dollars isn't realistic. Especially if you are unsure of exactly what gear you will need beyond what you already have.

More speakers are the key, not LOUDER ones, and not some Bose garbage, but decent speakers that can be placed closer to the listening audience at a level that is appropriate for the room.