PRACTICAL GUIDE TO SOUND SYSTEMS

THE DIFFERENT CRITERIA TO BE TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT TO INSTALL A SOUND SYSTEM IN A PUBLIC PLACE

Type of sound system:

- Comfort (musical atmosphere + calls + messages)                          - Safety (Evacuation certification EN54)

The place to install a sound system:

- Store, restaurant, place of worship, school, supermarket, shopping center, retirement home, aquatic complex, stadium...

The characteristics of the building:

- Surface, partitioning, height, false ceiling, ambient noise, reverberation (echo)

THE CHOICE OF SPEAKERS

The type of sound content allows you to define the speakers to be used, standard for simple voice messages or speakers with a wide bandwidth to reproduce a good quality musical atmosphere.

Typical speakers:

• The built-in or suspended speaker is distinguished by its simple use.
• The in-wall speaker generally offers more power than the ceiling speaker.
• The sound projector is most often used outdoors or for its sealing.
• The acoustic column focuses on range distance and reverberation.

         CSL-603               OD-506FT B               PBT 30 BL                            HS-48                             CO 120

A loudspeaker has different powers (20, 10 or 5 W for example), thus offering the possibility to adapt to the ambient noise or the height under the ceiling.

HOW MANY SPEAKERS?

To determine the number of loudspeakers needed for an installation, divide the surface area of the area to put sound by the surface area that a single loudspeaker can cover.

(e.g.: it takes about 5 CSL-603 loudspeakers to put sound a room of 250 m2 knowing that a single loudspeaker covers 45 m2 between 3 and 5 m high).

THE NOISE LEVEL

It is important that the power of the speakers provide good audibility for the ambient noise in the area.

Some information to know:

• The sound level of the installation must be 10 dB higher than the ambient noise
• The sound level increases by 3 dB when the power is doubled
• The sound level increases by 10 dB when the power is multiplied by 10
• When the distance is doubled, the sound level drops by 6 dB

THE CHOICE OF THE AMPLIFIER

• The power of the amplifier is usually defined with the sum of the powers of the loudspeakers used in the area to add sound.
• There is also the possibility of broadcasting several messages at the same time in different locations, which allows each area to remain independent.

TYPICAL AMPLIFIERS

• The mixer-amplifier ensures the majority of the classic sound systems with a simple use.
• The power amplifier completes most installations to reach the desired power.
• The matrix amplifier is designed for multi-zone and multi-source use such as shopping centers, hotels, etc.

                 AM 120A                                               AP 120/2                                                        AM 4120 

         Mixer amplifier                                    Power amplifier                                           Matrix amplifier

MULTIMEDIA PLAYERS

In addition to the installation, the modulation sources (Tuner, MP3, USB, SD or Bluetooth) allow the broadcasting of ambient music or radio if necessary (ER-100CVB, IR-100).

These modulation sources can only be added if the amplifier does not offer this type of function.

              ER-100CVB                                                         IR-100

USB/SD MP3 CD player, Bluetooth                      Internet radio tuner

THE CHOICE OF THE MICROPHONE

The selection of the microphone depends on its final use, i.e. whether it is for animation, speech, calling or paging.

All types of microphones generally fit most preamplifiers, matrixes, etc.

TYPICAL MICROPHONES, WIRED OR WIRELESS

• The wireless microphone is generally used for entertainment or singing, which makes it easier to move around.
• The wired microphone is most often used for speeches, conferences in multipurpose rooms or town halls for example.
• The call microphone is used for calls and voice messages (stores, shopping centers).
• The general and multi-zone call microphone ensures calls and searches for people in large areas.

               BE-5018/H-83                         UM 915S                         PA-100X                         PA-04

CONNECTING LOUDSPEAKER CABLE, THE RULES TO RESPECT!

The section of the cables depends on the power of the loudspeakers distributed on the line, as well as on the length of the line.

It is also important to know that wiring speakers on a 100V line causes a loss of power along the line. However, this loss of level is hardly felt by the ear.