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[Greg Mikolap]

Hi Guys,

My first post here. I'm about to open a gym (everything relies on securing a specific building) and I would like to enquire about best (ie. affordable and good quality) sound system for the following configuration.

Ground floor gym, rectangle, 1200 sq feet
Top floor gym, L shape, 1600 sq feet
Class Studio, rectangle, 425 sq feet
Changing Room 1, 178 sq feet
Changing Room 2, 255 sq feet.

Music can be different on the floors, but preferably both gyms have the same one.

I'm not sure this is the right room to ask about it, so apologise if it isn't

Cheers

[Nathan Riddle]

Hi Guys,

My first post here. I'm about to open a gym (everything relies on securing a specific building) and I would like to enquire about best (ie. affordable and good quality) sound system for the following configuration.

Ground floor gym, rectangle, 1200 sq feet
Top floor gym, L shape, 1600 sq feet
Class Studio, rectangle, 425 sq feet
Changing Room 1, 178 sq feet
Changing Room 2, 255 sq feet.

Music can be different on the floors, but preferably both gyms have the same one.

I'm not sure this is the right room to ask about it, so apologize if it isn't

Cheers

Hi Greg,

This should be in the installs section FYI. One of the mods will most likely move it

Typically, our first response is find a consultant/installer in your area. Stuff like this is incredibly complicated to get 'right'.

Right = safe, efficient, future considerate, design goals met, etc.

If you're set on the DIY approach.

-Do you have specific questions?
-What are your specific requirements (music genre, spl, coverage, configurability, ease of operation, etc)?

I'm thinking this is just in-ceiling speakers for the building?
-drop ceilings?
-building construction?
-source type?

Just some questions to get you started

Good luck!

[Ivan Beaver]

First of all YOU must define more specifically what you are looking for in terms of performance.

Some gyms simply want some back ground music, while others want high energy pump up music.

There is a big price difference between the different systems capabilities.

What is "affordable"?  That can mean VERY different things to different people.

Are you looking to spend $10,000 or $30,000?

Kinda of like a car-it depends on what YOU need for YOUR room.

The cost of the install is quite a bit more than the simple cost of gear.

Sure you can get some home hi fi gear and get out cheap, until it breaks.
 
Now you have to start over again.

There A LOT of variables involved, much more than would want to be discussed on a forum.

You would be better suited by using a contractor who does that sort of work, has the tools, knowledge, insurance, licensing etc and can discuss specific issues/ideas with you.

[Lee Buckalew]

Typically, our first response is find a consultant/installer in your area. Stuff like this is incredibly complicated to get 'right'.

Right = safe, efficient, future considerate, design goals met, etc.

To add some more things to this list.

Is plenum rated cable required?

You are required to have the system interconnected to the fire alarm so that the audio system mutes when the fire alarm is triggered.

Do you have licensing for commercial music taken care of or do you need to have a contractor or consultant help with that?

Lee

[Rob Spence]

And, what is the goal of the sound system?
Background music, pounding workout music, announcements?


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

[Greg Mikolap]

Thank you for all the answers and suggestions, surely this added to my head spin
- I am based in the UK
- Music is supposed to be playing in the background, not pounding, pounding music will be in the studio but, we will have big Bluetooth speakers.
- Haven't thought about the announcements but, this will have to be connected as well.
- I will have to obtain license but that isn't the problem
- Budget is limited so I welcome any suggestions or contacts to people that are in South East England

Thank you

[Scott Holtzman]

Thank you for all the answers and suggestions, surely this added to my head spin
- I am based in the UK
- Music is supposed to be playing in the background, not pounding, pounding music will be in the studio but, we will have big Bluetooth speakers.
- Haven't thought about the announcements but, this will have to be connected as well.
- I will have to obtain license but that isn't the problem
- Budget is limited so I welcome any suggestions or contacts to people that are in South East England

Thank you

What are "big Bluetooth speakers"

[Ivan Beaver]

What are "big Bluetooth speakers"

That was my first clue to "trouble starting".

[Ivan Beaver]

- I will have to obtain license but that isn't the problem

I do not know about where you are at, but a license and a permit are VERY different things.

If you already know enough to pass the licensing test, then you should already have a good idea what to do about the install.

[John Sulek]

I do not know about where you are at, but a license and a permit are VERY different things.

If you already know enough to pass the licensing test, then you should already have a good idea what to do about the install.

I believe that the OP is referring to getting a license for playing commercial music, not a contractor's license or building permit. Apologies if I am misinterpreting your reply.

[Kevin McDonough]

hey

In the broadest sense, it sounds like you're looking for what's known as a 100v line system.

This is slightly different from a normal PA system in that you can connect a long chain of speakers along one cable, so for big commercial buildings where you need to cover large areas with lots of small ceiling or wall speakers its the kind of system that will almost always be used. It generally won't give you the kind of loud music you would get in the studio, but is perfect for general background music. The exact type of speakers and how they're laid out would depend on your building, so would need to be judged by a professional.

There would be one or more amplifiers to power all of these speakers, and these would be fed by a "zone mixer" which would allow you to have a few different music sources (iPod, Music channel on TV, etc) and send them to different parts of the building. This can be as controllable as you need (and are able to afford in your budget), meaning you could have the choice of all of the rooms having the same, or being able to be set independently as needed.

You would have an input into this for a paging mic for making announcements, and also a link from your fire alarm system to mute the music to allow people to hear the alarm.


Now, in giving you all of this information, I am not suggesting this is a DIY project, or something that can be done on the cheap. I'm really just giving you it all so that when you speak to a proper, qualified instructor, you will know what you're looking for. It really is something that should be done by people that have experience and will provide the correct levels of safety, compliance with regulations, insurances etc.

k

[Stelios Mac]

It's been said already, I'm gonna say it once more; Get a professional to spec and do the install - "big Bluetooth speakers" sounds very, very wrong.

A professional should design a system that will cover the spaces uniformly and with good ineligibility, whilst taking care of all your needs (SPL, means of music playback & system management) with sound quality that corresponds to your budget.

Proper implementation is MUCH more important than just (quote) "the best (ie. affordable and good quality) sound system".
Things like the coverage pattern of the speakers, placement, aiming, processing & alignment are much more important than "Oh this box says JBL on it, this one says L'Acoustics, the latter is superior!" - And only a professional will get those aspects right.
You are absolutely NOT wasting your money by hiring a professional, in fact the exact opposite. There's a LOT more to it than just "positive goes to positive, negative to negative, power to the amplifier and it's alright". A professional will save you from a lot of mistakes, trial & error - And I assume it's the exact same way in every industry, including yours.
The issues of safety, insurance & permits have already been brought up as well.

[Lee Buckalew]

- I am based in the UK

I forgot to ask where you were located. 
In this case I do not know the code compliance issues for integration to life safety systems, specific cable designation needs (plenum, riser, etc.), requirements for hearing aid compatibility, etc., etc.

I would definitely suggest getting a professional involved so that there is someone helping you to ensure that both your needs and code compliance issues are met.

Lee

[Greg Mikolap]

Thank you for all the replies, they are great.

I will start looking and making phone calls tomorrow

[Simon_Barrett]

Hi there, where abouts in the south of England are you? I am in W. Sussex.

Sent from my LG-H850 using Tapatalk

[David Buckley]

You're in the UK?  Chances are your installer will recommend equipment from Cloud, who are the established go-to brand for this kind of application.  You might like to read a bunch of their case studies to understand some typical approaches to background audio.  Obviously, the case studies show the big systems, but they have kit to cover the very small to the very large. 

The Multi-Zone Mixer Amplifiers solutions are very popular, and one of their four zone models might exactly match your needs.

[Lee Buckalew]

You're in the UK?  Chances are your installer will recommend equipment from Cloud, who are the established go-to brand for this kind of application.  You might like to read a bunch of their case studies to understand some typical approaches to background audio.  Obviously, the case studies show the big systems, but they have kit to cover the very small to the very large. 

The Multi-Zone Mixer Amplifiers solutions are very popular, and one of their four zone models might exactly match your needs.

Cloud has some very cool, individually addressable, Bluetooth interfaces.
Quite interesting for exercise rooms where an instructor may want to play from their iPad, etc.

Lee

[ProSoundWeb Community]