- What Is a Commercial Audio System?
A commercial audio system is a combination of mixers, amplifiers, speakers, horns, microphones, equipment racks, and accessories that are used in commercial applications for paging, music, PA systems, and more.
Because each commercial need is different, personalized audio system packages can be designed for each specific venue and audio needs. To determine the best solution, two main factors must be considered: the type and size of space, and how the audio system will be used.
These factors will determine the type, number, and positioning of speakers, if a multi-channel amplifier is needed, volume controls, and more. Despite their size differences, both small and large venues can reap the benefits of a commercial audio system.
- Commercial Audio vs. Home Audio
In most commercial settings, the audio system is in use for long hours, often up to 24 hours a day. In comparison, a home audio system could go days without use at all. Although business owners often think they can get by with a home audio system, there are many advantages to installing a commercial grade audio system including what may be a surprise, a lower cost. Here are a few of the advantages:
- Impedance
Impedance is used to determine how much load a speaker will put on an amplifier, which is measured in Ohms. With a traditional home audio system, if a speaker configuration is hooked up to the amplifier with a load outside the range of Ohms the amplifier can handle, it can easily damage the amplifier.
Commercial systems with a 70V speaker configuration use transformers after the amplifier to increase the signal voltage. Then, another transformer is placed at each speaker to decrease the voltage back down. This makes it less vulnerable to minor changes in impedance. There’s also less disturbance if a speaker comes unplugged or develops a short.
- Wiring Runs
Longer wire runs and smaller gauge speaker wire are another big advantage for commercial systems. This is less expensive and easier for speaker setup in venues. There’s no power loss over long wires with the decreased current from the step-up transformer.
- Volume Control
Many venues have a multi-room setup. There are 70V controls that can be installed before each speaker’s step-down transformer to allow control of the volume in each area separately. These controls are more reliable and safer than those used with a home audio system.
- Cost Comparison
Most of the cost difference for a commercial system vs. a traditional system comes from the speaker wires and amplifiers. In a traditional home audio system, standard stereo amplifiers put out low voltage, high-current signals. This requires larger, more expensive speaker wires. Also, to get the right sound, more speakers will need to be connected to the amplifiers, which becomes unsafe because of the overload. To remedy this, more amplifiers are brought in, making the set up more expensive than using a commercial audio system.
With a commercial audio system, the voltage is higher, and the signals are low-current. This allows the system to use thinner, less expensive speaker wires for speaker connections. The commercial grade amplifiers can also carry a heavier load, requiring fewer amplifiers to be on site. This simplifies set-up, uses less wiring, and makes for a less expensive system overall.
- Ease of Installation
Although a commercial audio system will give the venue professional audio, it doesn’t need to be installed by a professional installer or audio engineer. There are tons of articles and videos online that provide tips on installing the system.
With the simplified speaker setup of a commercial audio system, installation is easy for anyone. The source of audio connects to the amplifier, which connects to the volume control before being hooked up to the first speaker. From there, connect each speaker to the one before it, creating a chain. This allows for easy expansion of the audio system later if the need arises.
- AV Superstore’s Commercial Audio Systems
AV Superstore has everything you need for a commercial audio system. Talk to their audio experts about your goals and needs and we will help you design the perfect system complete with modifications and accessories.