From: carmien@tramp.Colorado.EDU (CARMIEN STEFAN)
Subject: Re: A $2700 public audio system for a church???
Organization: University of Colorado, Boulder
Date: Mon, 16 Nov 1992 06:19:39 GMT

In article <3340269@hpcc01.corp.hp.com> kirk@hpcc01.corp.hp.com (Kirk Lindstrom) writes:
>>My questions are
>>
>>(1)	Is there any difference between a home audio system and a public
>>audio system?
>Major.  Public systems should concentrate on voice rather than extended
>bass, imaging, clean highs, etc.
>>(2)	Is Radio Shack's system good enough for a church?
>You probably want more rugged construction and fewer features.
>
>>(3)	Should my cousin use the local audio designer's $2700 system?
>>
>Tell the designer what budget you have in mind.  You can also consider
>some used gear and you can offer to pay him/her a flat fee and let him
>get the best price.
>>
>>-Luke
>----------
>Anyway, discuss the options with the designer and also tell him about
>RadioShack and he'll let you know the weak points for your (cousin's)
>use.
>
>Kirk out

I have done systems for similar types of places for 18 years, as a hobby
(odd hobby) that occasionaly spils over into consulting. I am presently 
designing a new system for my Buddhist community shrine room (140 X 75 X
45 ft) to bring it up to the '90's. IMHO the prices quoted for the system
are low. The issue here is the difference between consumer and commercial
quality equiptment. Unless you are going to have an (very free with his
time) volunter to maintain the system you just can't get around spending
the $$ for equiptment that will hold up and be easy to use. If you want
to get an idea of whats out there see if the audio consultant has a copy
of the "Sound and Video Contractor" mag. - a specialised industry journal
(especially the annual buyers guide). 
	As for Radio Shack stuff, some of it is OK for mild use but
you get what you pafor. I have had too many experiences fixing
up cheap broken equiptment that was poorly installed, and the 
level of frustration that the user (read pastor, churchmember, or
most likly the poor janitor who ends up trying to get it to work)
is really unnecessary.
	Think of it this way: If it's quality equiptment, installed
properly, it may last 5-10 years (devide cost over this); but often
cheap stuff needs to be replaced several times over this perioud, 
and ends up costing more over the time and doing less for you.
	The goal here is transparency.

	If you want you could send me mail and I would be happy to 
look at the specs of the contractor and let you know if this seems 
reasonable.

	FYI- the proposed system I am designing will have:
		6- channel microprocessor controled automixer - ~ $1650
		CD input & Tape in and out put
		4 satellite speakers (I will design & build)
		2 sub-woofers (ditto)
		4 ch of audiophile quality amps (Bi-amping) = 360W
		Misc rewiring of the hall etc.
		Fm diversity mikes

			The cost will be ~$4100
	this does not include the mikes and cables we already have
	and would be LOTS higher if we bought speakers and had
	a consultant design & install - however this is similar
	to many sstems currently installed in medium sized 
	churches w/ choir etc.

					Stefan Carmien
Newsgroups: rec.audio