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What Speakers to use in a bar/restaurant environment

I'm looking for advice as to what speakers I can install on the walls or suspend from the ceiling of a bar/restaurant. The current ones sound lousy, not clear at all, compared to what I would like. There are many 70/100 Volt systems on the market, and I assume they make quality speakers at a sane price level.
I'm looking for mainly background music, but I need the ability to get suitable volume for events like a UFC.

Would it be worth considering smaller home audio speakers for this type of environment, or do I need to install "commercial" ones such as those made by JBL, etc?

And advice or direction will be helpful.

The rooms are ~3000sq ft, with a 14 foot ceiling.
Want to get a very nice quality of sound with low /moderate volume .
brrgrr
br3098
997 posts
 
My $0.02 worth:

1- For a 3000 ft2 space you are probably going to want to distribute speakers over the space. One pair of speakers will be too loud adjacent to the speakers and not loud enough at the "edges".

2- Suspending the speakers from the ceiling is OK for background music but sounds like crap for anything else. Can you consider wall mount speakers? You could ever use several pairs of Magnepan MMWs and subs throughout the space.

3- I like the active speaker idea IF you can manage the AC power requirements. If not look at PMC and Westlake Audio - not cheap but great stuff designed for just this type of application.

4- I would seriously consider hiring a professional to measure your space and configure this for you. IMHO they will earn their fee and then some.

5- Remember that even if you get it right your space is going to sound completely different empty than it will full of people trying to talk over the music.
brrgrr OP
163 posts
 
Br3098,
As a former Tympani !D owner I have thought about the MMW's, crazy as that might sound to some. I WILL need probably 8-12 individual speakers to get a full sound without loud and soft spots, so to speak.

As far as getting a pro to do an analysis we are located far from anyone with that type of expertise, sadly. That's an option I would try if someone were available in the area.
The Mirage idea is also something I gave thought to a year ago, and as they are made in Canada, like I , it would be a nice fit.
Great info from everyone. Really appreciated.
B
deadlyvj
66 posts
 
Check out the reviews on the Nick and Eddie in MN. The key is "deliver a rich spectrum of sound that won’t interfere with dinner conversation"

http://www.foodandwine.com/blogs/mouthing-off/restaurants/page/34
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