Sound system for yogurt shop?

[masterh]

I am opening yogurt shop soon. I need some advice.

I chose orb speakers because of their design (orbaudio.com)

I might buy a pair of scandyna mini pod to place by the counter (their design rocks)

I am going to play the music through ipod since it's easy to store the music.

what should I look for when I choose a receiver?
I guess the channel doesn't matter because it's not home theater set up
just look for the watt and compatibility with the ipod dock?

I think there are usually 4 slots for the speakers in a receiver. what if I have more speakers than those slots? can I plug in 2 speakers cable in one slot? does it lose the power if I do that?

when I go to coffee shops, I don't hear any woofer sound. I think it's good to have some base for jazz music. should I get one that usually comes with a home theater set up and maybe place under the counter?

 

[agarwalro]

Masterh,

Welcome to AH!

While you can use the Orb speakers and a Home Theater Receiver for the job, they are not designed for commertial use and therefore come with limitations for the use you intend for them.

Based on the information you provided, there are a few more questions that would help folks here provide a useful response.

1) How big is the space
2) How do you intend to mount the speakers (wall, stands, ceiling, etc)
3) How far will the receiver be from the speakers
4) What is your budget

In the meantime, to answer your question, you will definitely need a subwoofer to compliment the Orb sepakers if you want bass. A different (easier) way to do it would be to get commertial speakers that provide more bass than the Orbs. Here is one for example,

http://www.htd.com/outdoor-speaker/Q65-Outdoor-Speakers

By using speakers with more low end capability, you can use a stereo receiver and get away without having to put a subwoofer.

This will go the job perfectly,

http://www.htd.com/amplifiers/A-2106-Stereo-Amplifier

This amp will let you connect up to 4 speakers to your iPod.

 

[markw]

the speakers you've chosen should do fine. You'll most likely be playing at low levels, at least when customers are present, so the "ultimate" potential for their sound will rarely be utilized.

The question that remains to be answered is how many speakers are you planning to run?

Remember, to keep a fairly should level across the room will require more speakers, depending on the area. Too few speakers will result in those near the speakers to possibly be hearing too loud and those further way might not hear them at all.

But, there are a multitude of ceiling speakers that do a more than adequate job and lend themselves to almost universal placement, particularly when used with a drop ceiling.

 

[highfigh]

I am opening yogurt shop soon. I need some advice.

I chose orb speakers because of their design (orbaudio.com)

I might buy a pair of scandyna mini pod to place by the counter (their design rocks)

I am going to play the music through ipod since it's easy to store the music.

what should I look for when I choose a receiver?
I guess the channel doesn't matter because it's not home theater set up
just look for the watt and compatibility with the ipod dock?

I think there are usually 4 slots for the speakers in a receiver. what if I have more speakers than those slots? can I plug in 2 speakers cable in one slot? does it lose the power if I do that?

when I go to coffee shops, I don't hear any woofer sound. I think it's good to have some base for jazz music. should I get one that usually comes with a home theater set up and maybe place under the counter?

When I worked for a stereo store, one of the guys was trying to sell a sound system to a bar owner, who raised a very good point. He asked "Will this make more money for me?"

Most places that sell food try to get the people in and get them out as quickly as possible. Unless you plan to put a lot of money into tables and chairs, I'm not sure now long the people will plan to stay. I'd hate to be in the position of opening a place like that and outfitting it with all kinds of creature comforts, only to find that the creatures don't really expect or want to be comfortable.

Unless the survival of the yogurt shop is assured (it never is), I would start small and improve it later. Buy a 2 channel receiver if you want to play radio. If you'll never have radio playing, buy an integrated amp. If you want to use more speakers, use a speaker selector with volume controls so you can adjust the levels as needed. For a 4, 6 or 8 pair selector, look for numbers like SSVC-4, SSVC-6 and SSVC-8. Most of them appear to be made by the same factory but some use a different way to maintain the proper impedance. The smaller (thinner) ones use resistors and the larger (thicker) ones use autoformers (transformer with multiple output taps). They both work well. There should be no issues with any iPod connection and there's really no reason to use the kind that uses the receiver's controls to operate it- it's just going to be harder for the employees to operate and their job is to sell/serve the yogurt.

 

[BMXTRIX]

I'm just going to agree with the above poster on this and mention that it sounds like you are putting form ahead of need and cost and functionality.

This isn't your living room, it's a shop, and if you want to do it right and you have a tile ceiling then you should be looking at some plenum rated in-ceiling (tile) speakers and plenum cabling.

A single amplifier is all that is necessary and an impedence matching speaker selector will do the job just fine.

Then just tie your iPod right into it and you are done. Everything should be put away in a secure location - out of sight, out of mind.

This will give you an affordable, excellent sounding, blends into any environment, extremely reliable system which meets building code.

Mostly, focus on getting enough speakers to adequately fill the space.

I would also consider a multi-zone volume control/speaker selector which allows you to adjust volume to different speaker pairs separately in case the space has areas which are noisier/quieter than other areas.

 

[LucB]

Just on, short reply: don't connect speakers in parallel to one output.

 

[TLS Guy]

I strongly recommend using a pro 70 volt system. I would use a mono 70 volt output PA amp. I would use in ceiling speakers with attached 70 volt transformers. The power you want for a given area can then be set. Your employees can't muck it up, and have only one volume control to worry about. You can use as many speakers as you want without fear of blowing anything up, or power loss.

 

[highfigh]

I strongly recommend using a pro 70 volt system. I would use a mono 70 volt output PA amp. I would use in ceiling speakers with attached 70 volt transformers. The power you want for a given area can then be set. Your employees can't muck it up, and have only one volume control to worry about. You can use as many speakers as you want without fear of blowing anything up, or power loss.

Uh, "as many speakers as you want"? Not if the numbers don't add up. If someone has 10 speakers and uses the 20W taps but the amp is only good for 80W, the amp won't like it very much.

It's a yogurt shop, not a big office or factory. It doesn't need a 70V system, although mono isn't a bad idea (or dual voice coil speakers). The added flexibility of separate volume controls, marked when set at the proper levels, is definitely better than all speaker levels being fixed.

 

[TLS Guy]

Uh, "as many speakers as you want"? Not if the numbers don't add up. If someone has 10 speakers and uses the 20W taps but the amp is only good for 80W, the amp won't like it very much.

It's a yogurt shop, not a big office or factory. It doesn't need a 70V system, although mono isn't a bad idea (or dual voice coil speakers). The added flexibility of separate volume controls, marked when set at the proper levels, is definitely better than all speaker levels being fixed.

You don't need to use 20 watt taps. You use the taps such that it adds up to 80 watts.

 

[markw]

Perhaps a bit of clarification from the OP might help.

There's no use fighhting amongst ourselves if OP hasn't even clarified what drection he's decidred to go after receiving initial direction from the forum.

He just may decide to go in another direction entirely so lets save the bloodshed. I've seen a lot of retail establishments with just a boombox behind the counter and everybody always seems perfectly happy.

 

[highfigh]

You don't need to use 20 watt taps. You use the taps such that it adds up to 80 watts.

I know that but you said he could use as many speakers as he wants, which is wrong.

 

[highfigh]

I've seen a lot of retail establishments with just a boombox behind the counter and everybody always seems perfectly happy.

I think we have all seen this and it agrees with my point about the function of the shop- it's for selling something, not listening to music.

Also, if the employees are too comfortable, they don't do as much when the owner is gone.

 

[masterh]

well I want to create funky environment for yogurt shop.
I don't know if you guys go to coffee shop just to get good coffee.
I go to this coffee shop everyday because they play classic and has classy interior.
interior, smell plus music can make a huge difference imo.

I think I would play something like pop rock (california band style stuff that young chicks love), trance or house that is easy to listen to (one example is kascade).
I want to create the music experience something like when you walk into a/x, h&m, express store. (for me, it makes me more upbeat n spend more money lol)

I already bought 6 single white orb speakes which will go well with my interior.
I have drop ceiling but I can't put ceiling speakers because I am going to put cool vinyl tile.
the customer area is about 900sf. there is a hall way to the restroom and I might put couple in there too. I can put the ceiling speakers in the restroom though lol

so basically I should get receiver and speaker selector to adjust the volume for each speakers?
I don't know if I got the answer. if there isn't enough space for speaker cable, can I plug in 2 speakers in one spot? if not, what would be the solution?

Is amplifier same as the receiver? if I don't play any cds, I can just hook up ipod to amp?

thanks for the answer. I couldn't understand some of it though because of lack of my knowledge.

 

[BMXTRIX]

iPod -> Amplifier -> Speaker Selector (impedence matching) (which handles all the speakers you have, or will have) -> Speakers

So, your iPod goes to an amplifier (not a receiver!) like this...
http://cgi.ebay.com/Adcom-200-watt-Stereo-Amplifier-GFA-545-II_W0QQitemZ330356016717QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item4ceac0c64d&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14

Then the amp goes to a speaker selector with volume control like this...
http://cgi.ebay.com/Niles-SVL-6-Speaker-Selector-Volume-Control-w-Cables_W0QQitemZ300343708103QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item45ede149c7&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14

Volume can be set on the iPod, and the space can have volume balanced by using the individual volume controls.

If you intend to do ANY wiring above ceiling, check for plenum requirements per the fire code. Plenum rated speaker cabling may be required.
http://cgi.ebay.com/16-Gauge-Plenum-in-wall-Speaker-Wire-Cable_W0QQitemZ370056491211QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item562915f0cb&_trksid=p3286.m20.l1116

 

[TLS Guy]

well I want to create funky environment for yogurt shop.
I don't know if you guys go to coffee shop just to get good coffee.
I go to this coffee shop everyday because they play classic and has classy interior.
interior, smell plus music can make a huge difference imo.

I think I would play something like pop rock (california band style stuff that young chicks love), trance or house that is easy to listen to (one example is kascade).
I want to create the music experience something like when you walk into a/x, h&m, express store. (for me, it makes me more upbeat n spend more money lol)

I already bought 6 single white orb speakes which will go well with my interior.
I have drop ceiling but I can't put ceiling speakers because I am going to put cool vinyl tile.
the customer area is about 900sf. there is a hall way to the restroom and I might put couple in there too. I can put the ceiling speakers in the restroom though lol

so basically I should get receiver and speaker selector to adjust the volume for each speakers?
I don't know if I got the answer. if there isn't enough space for speaker cable, can I plug in 2 speakers in one spot? if not, what would be the solution?

Is amplifier same as the receiver? if I don't play any cds, I can just hook up ipod to amp?

thanks for the answer. I couldn't understand some of it though because of lack of my knowledge.

Sounds like a joint that will push away as many as it attracts. For commercial venues, nondescript background music is best. Loud music of a particular genre is not usually a recipe for commercial success.

I'm pretty sure I would run a mile from the joint, however good the yogurt.

If you are putting speakers in corridors and bathrooms, I would definitely use a 70 volt system.

I really doubt you are going to get above background with three inch drivers, and only 89 db sensitivity, in a noisy retail venue. It sounds to me you will not create anything that will impress with the speakers you have chosen. If it is background music levels you want, then you will probably just about get away with it, as long as you use a sub.

 

[masterh]

if you have some knowledge about music choices for places like this (not based on your personal preferences lol), I'd love to hear from ya

There's no use fighhting amongst ourselves if OP hasn't even clarified what drection he's decidred to go after receiving initial direction from the forum.

He just may decide to go in another direction entirely so lets save the bloodshed. I've seen a lot of retail establishments with just a boombox behind the counter and everybody always seems perfectly happy.

Sounds like a joint that will push away as many as it attracts. For commercial venues, nondescript background music is best. Loud music of a particular genre is not usually a recipe for commercial success.

I'm pretty sure I would run a mile from the joint, however good the yogurt.

If you are putting speakers in corridors and bathrooms, I would definitely use a 70 volt system.

I really doubt you are going to get above background with three inch drivers, and only 89 db sensitivity, in a noisy retail venue. It sounds to me you will not create anything that will impress with the speakers you have chosen. If it is background music levels you want, then you will probably just about get away with it, as long as you use a sub.

 

[TLS Guy]

if you have some knowledge about music choices for places like this (not based on your personal preferences lol), I'd love to hear from ya

I think you have answered your own question.

I have been involved with a number of commercial venues over the years. The point is your are selling yogurt and not music. It would be one thing if this were a dance club. I agree targeting to a demographic would make sense.

However you are selling yogurt, not something normally associated with a demographic of a definite taste in music. For that reason your background music needs to be just that, and pretty nondescript.

You can't afford to turn customers away. With a product like this, it is stretch to conceive that you will introduce customers to yogurt with your music.

You need to attract all the customers you can get, not ones with a certain musical preference.

With your plan, you certainly would not have my custom for sure.

 

[highfigh]

I think you have answered your own question.

I have been involved with a number of commercial venues over the years. The point is your are selling yogurt and not music. It would be one thing if this were a dance club. I agree targeting to a demographic would make sense.

However you are selling yogurt, not something normally associated with a demographic of a definite taste in music. For that reason your background music needs to be just that, and pretty nondescript.

You can't afford to turn customers away. With a product like this, it is stretch to conceive that you will introduce customers to yogurt with your music.

You need to attract all the customers you can get, not ones with a certain musical preference.

With your plan, you certainly would not have my custom for sure.

You need to remember that by considering rock music 'ghastly' and telling people that you love classical (I haven't seen any indication that you listen to any other styles), you're not exactly in the OP's target demographic. I hate to break it to you, but rock is very popular, regardless of your opinion. It's not all ghastly but I agree that some of it is pretty bad.

Either way, the OP may be near a college, which could mean that playing the music they mentioned can bring in more customers than playing elevator music. However, knowing how that kind of music usually sounds, I have to say that while the small spherical speakers may fit the decor but the sound will definitely not have the intended impact.

 

[markw]

Going for a hip coffee shop atmosphere, eh?

That's great in concept but remember, they generally sell more than coffee to boost their botton line. They push yuppie food like overpriced desserts or sandwiches with no crust and ingredients that read like a Whole Foods advertisement.

People can't sit and eat yogurt all night like they can sip coffee and buy snacks. Usually, once the confection is gone, so are they. I would think that a lot of families with kids might be your best customers, and the more the merrier. Getting them in and out fairly quickly would be my goal. You'll note that the "big" custard/ice cream/fast food chains in general are more geared towards that as opposed to making people feel too comfortable. That would probably explain the barely tolerable seating.

But, hey, it's certainly an interesting business plan. Good luck.

 

[masterh]

cgi.ebay.com/New-Music-Selector-Box-6-Pair-Speakers-HD-Switcher-TS6_W0QQitemZ380153362870QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item5882e7f9b6&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14

ok for speaker selector? I guess I can connect up to 12 speakers.......