In finding the best sound system for your cafe, you first need to decide what vibes you want to give your Café. Do you like loud music, or do you want a sound system just enough for clear-sounding music?
A simple sound system will do if you want to play music in very small cafes. However, a professionally designed system and installation by Century AV (based in Mississauga, Ontario) is hands down the best option.
But this does not mean that you can go on picking any cheap equipment for your sound system. There are certain thing things that your equipment must meet to ensure quality output. Read through to learn more.
A Value Option For A Cafe Sound System
Coffee shops are places where people tend to have conversations and sometimes even business meetings.
What coffee shops sell these days is the ambiance and the aesthetic of the coffee shop itself. People prefer more relaxing music rather than any other. (Source)
These shops are better off having a calmer and more peaceful atmosphere than bars. What works best for coffee shops to use is a simple Soundbar setup. However, routing cabling and using the best media players to enhance the sound system are wise ideas. Only a professional like Century AV can deliver the perfect options for your cafe or space.
Let’s look at some of the better brands that offer various small-scale professional sound equipment for your cafe or restaurant.
Popular Brands In The Market
Bose is famous for selling at affordable rates and simultaneously providing durable products. The Bose Smart Soundbar is what you can use for Cafes as a sound system.
You can easily connect this Soundbar with any Bluetooth device for easy navigation. It also connects to Alexa and Google Assistant, which can make your job easier for you.
Soundbars are well known for significantly increasing audio quality and stereo content. (Source)
It can even be an alternative for a full-on box-type speaker.
The Bose Smart Soundbar is a smart product efficiently designed to create fast connections with other Bose speakers.
You can use this simple Soundbar both indoors and outdoors as well.
The Highest Quality Option For A Cafe Sound System
The SONOS Arc Soundbar is a more luxurious option for a Cafe sound system. The brand alone provides an easy sound system setting that welcomes future addition to your system.
SONOS products are known for their fast connectivity rate, customization options, and user-friendliness. It is also compatible with Jukeboxy, the usual SONOS product partner in its applications.
The Jukeboxy hardware is a box designed to work with SONOS Speakers. It gives one full remote access to each SONOS speaker. You can also connect it to the SONOS Arc Soundbar via Bluetooth or Auxiliary cords.
Jukeboxy’s Best Features
By using Jukeboxy, you can play different songs simultaneously to different groups of paired speakers in your coffee shop. Depending on your preference, you can also adjust the volume for each speaker group.
The Jukeboxy also comes with carefully curated playlists, lessening your concerns about choosing the same music repeatedly. You can select your playlist depending on the mood, tempo, and genre you want to play in your cafe.
This software also allows one to review weekly favorites and create playlists of your own.
Which Music System Is Best For A Restaurant?
A restaurant sound landscape is composed of four conditions: ambient noise, ambient noise plus soft classical, ambient noise plus comfortable classical, and ambient noise plus slightly loud classical music. (Source)
The type of music played in places speaks of the quality and theme that the restaurant has to offer.
There are at least three things that you should consider when buying a music system for a restaurant: the sound quality, the installation process, and its user-friendliness.
Based on the three essential things to take note of for a music system, listed below are the top choices you can refer to when buying a music system for your restaurant.
- Google Chromecast Speaker System
The Google Speaker system has become famous for its flexibility in terms of navigation and its ability to adapt to different kinds of tech brands. For this reason. Many brands have efficiently designed their products to integrate into Chromecast, from speakers to controllers.
- Sonance
Sonance is known for its professional product style that fits restaurant requirements indoors or outdoors. This music system has high-grade internal components that can amplify music well.
Most speakers created by Sonance can integrate into walls which is a big plus if you do not want to compromise on your restaurant’s aesthetics.
- AudioPro Business
What sets this product apart is that it can play music wirelessly without WiFi or Bluetooth. AudioPro uses a DECT technology that allows a more stable connection than the usual WiFi. It will enable the navigator to play music from almost any device source freely.
- Sonos
For most restaurant owners, Sonos is the most preferred music system. It has all the necessary things for a music system and is easier to navigate than most.
The Sonos music system is portable, so you can easily in-store or move it from one place to another. There are also other services that Sonos offers, such as the ability to stream the device from your chosen phone or tablet.
What Is The Highest Quality Sound System?
Sound systems have come a long way from how they used to be. Today, you don’t even have to deal with cable mess. Soundbars have become the deal – easy to fit anywhere and very sleek in design.
There are a variety of products out there that offer excellent quality sound systems.
Best Sound Systems You Can Find In The Market
- MartinLogan Motion 5.1 Speaker System
The MartinLogan Speaker System comprises four speakers, a subwoofer, and a central unit box. The speakers for this speaker system are wired, so you may have to deal with a little wiring fix, but it should all still be convenient.
There are also wall brackets for mounting available in the package to make your setup as easy as possible. It has a classy matte finish on the surface rather than the usual fabric seen on other systems.
- Klipsch Black Reference Theater Pack Surround Sound System
This sound system has a total of 6 speakers and a center channel. The Klipsch Black Sound System is very easy to integrate into your space as it has a wireless subwoofer, which means you can put it anywhere.
It has an aluminum tweeter and a high-grade aluminum woofer for better sound quality. The only thing you may want to think through is that this system does not have Bluetooth connectivity, and you cannot pair it with either Google Assistant or Alexa.
Other than those things, this sound system gives you the basic system set up with ease and class.
- Definitive Technology Procinema 6D Home Theater Speaker System
This speaker system offers classic speakers that can achieve a good flow of sound in any room. The Procinema Speaker System has a center channel, four speakers, and a subwoofer. Its definitive technology ensures that 6D experience for a sound system.
The four speakers are wired together, so you will have to find a way to set up the wires correctly. Just like the Klipsch Back sound system, the Procinema 6D doesn’t have smart features but can function just as well in terms of sound output.
- LG SN11RG Soundbar System
This Soundbar system offers additional rear speakers as part of its package. You’ll find that usual sound system sets have speakers that can be set up in one space together. But the LG Soundbar system has a surround sound effect you can achieve through its wireless subwoofer fixes.
Please note that the LG SN11RG Soundbar measures more than 100cm, so it is advisable to use it for TV screens of at least 65 inches and up.
You can also pair the LG sound system with Google Assistant for a more flawless control.
- JBL 9.1-Channel Soundbar System
The JBL Soundbar system is fully battery-operated and completely wireless. This sound system’s central unit is where you can conveniently charge the rear speakers.
The detachable speakers can detect which part of the room it is, and they can easily adjust their sound to match the audio frequency of the other speakers. It also comes with a subwoofer for better sound quality.
You can also pair this sound system with either Google Assistant or Siri.
- Sony HTA9 Home Theater System
The Sony Home Theater system is more than just a soundbar, but it’s a wired surround sound system that you can install across an entire room.
The speakers have a 360-degree spatial sound mapping that adapts its audio frequency to the needs of the space. It also has a built-in Chromecast and can be paired with either Alexa or Google Assistant.
- Samsung HW-Q950T Soundbar System
It may be the best one on the list as its features contain almost everything you can ask for in a sound system. The Samsung HW-Q950T has a compact design that does not take up too much space despite its many features.
It has an installed Dolby Atmos and DTS technology that improves sound quality. It has two rear speakers, a wireless subwoofer, and an excellent audio effect. It has an automatic feature that detects whichever works best with what you’re playing – the Adaptive Mode and the Game Pro mode.
Which Sound System Is Best For Events?
Many parts of a sound system need to be prepared for an event. You need durability, power, and quality for these, as live events are more demanding with system specifications than any other type of event.
Remember that there is no one-size-fits-all sound system for all events. You will have to determine what exactly it is that you need. Here are some things you will have to consider to create the best sound system for events:
- The Main Speakers
Choose the type and size of speakers depending on the venue and the crowd. The speakers should be able to cover the audience area up to the farthest corners.
- Subwoofers
Most types of events use subwoofers. It adds up to the grandiose effect of the overall sound output. You should get subwoofers, especially if the event has musical performances that utilize drums, bass guitar, or other bass instruments.
- Stage Monitors
Performers or anybody who speaks on the stage can use a good stage monitor. It helps performers hear themselves and check for timing and cues they should follow.
- The Mixer
Everything will be plugged into the Mixer or the mixing console. It will be the primary equipment responsible for volume, sound effects, and many other things about the event’s audio output. Your Mixer must be able to accommodate all equipment you’ll be using.
- Amplifiers
Amplifiers help in increasing the signals sent to the loudspeaker. For better quality, your amplifiers should be compatible with the instruments and tools you’ll be using for the event.
If you have your event in an open space, you must manage and regulate sound and noise efficiently. It can only happen if you have a well-rounded sound system design. Only when you have such that you’ll be able to improve and manage both sound and noise drastically. (Source)
What Are The Best Speakers For A Bar?
There are two types of speakers that you can use for a bar – In-ceiling Speakers or On-Wall Box Speakers. Depending on the size and design of the bar, you can choose from either of these two speakers accordingly.
In-Ceiling Speakers
Advantages
- It doesn’t ruin the aesthetic of the place
- It does not consume as much space as a box-type speaker
- It can disperse its sound in all 360 degrees because of its design
- The grills can be painted depending on the venue theme
- It can be beneficial for small and limited spaces
- An investment in the long run
Disadvantages
- It has a low sound frequency
- Have lower outputs compared to box speakers
- Releases sound in no specific direction
- You cannot place it in room corners
On-Wall Box Or Cabinet Speakers
Advantages
- You can place these speakers on every room corner you want
- There are mountain brackets that can elevate this speaker
- It has excellent low-end sound dynamics
- Has large sound pressure levels due to size
- You can use it as an added aesthetic to any venue
- You can choose different cabinet colors for it
- Requires no holes to be drilled on the ceiling
- Louder compared to in-ceiling speakers
- You can use it even when few, unlike with in-ceiling speakers that need to be spread almost evenly in the room
Disadvantages
- It can be difficult to hide if that’s what’s required
- Releases sound in a specific direction only
- Appearance may vary and can be off-putting for some types of decorations
- You cannot use it much in small rooms
- Can get damaged easier compared to in-ceiling speakers
It would help if you used a speaker with a secure system to have a smooth navigating experience. A speaker identification will help in improving your audio management system. (Source)
Ultimately, the choice comes down to the audio quality you want for your bar. Aesthetic design is also one significant factor when choosing between the two speakers.
Final Thoughts
The best choice of sound system depends on the kind that you need. Not everybody needs a large one, and some venues cannot use simple sound systems.
It all varies on the purpose of the sound system. Is it for personal, business, or professional use? If it’s for a personal benefit, then you can choose a more simple one. But for other purposes, choose brands that provide durability and high performance.