2. analog
  3. 177917-150847

Could I use my analog hifi system for commerical bar?

Dear gentlemen, 

I would need your kind advices on this.

COVID, recession, stock market, my business went downhill in the past 2 years and it is now to the point that I call it quit on my current business operation. 

I'm thinking of an idea to bring my home hifi system to "hustle on the street" and earn some buck along the way before I'm able to do something bigger. 

I'm thinking of opening a hifi/audiophile (vinyl) bar, which is not so common in my area here, and I think there is a good market for that. However, I'm not financially capable of buying a whole new system, I can spare about $20k extra on audio equipment, the rest of my pocket is only enough to pay for rents/labour + other equipment for catering at the moment.

Here is my humble current set up at home:

1. Joseph Audio flagship Pearl speakers

2. Soure: vintage Thornes TD125 Long Base with Audio Technica VM760SLC MM Cart.

3. Rega Fono Mini A2D phonostage

4. Rouge Audio Cronos Magnum Integrated Amp 1st generation (as a preamp)

5. Bel Canto REF1000M Monoblocks

6. I have a Supratek Cortese coming in the next few months which can replace both the Rega & Rouge Audio.

So here are my questions:

1. How big is the venue should I be looking at for a comfortable volume that people can enjoy the music, not counting other operation space for example bar/kitchen etc... Are these speakers capable of a 1000 square feet venue at 90+db?

2. Is the systems capable of heavy duty job that make them runs 8-10 hours a day? Maybe 12hrs during the weekends. 

3. I possible thinking of selling away the vintage Thorens and buy 2 Technics Direct Drive TT because of its robust construction, and slowly turns them into a DJ booth with mixer too. Is that a good idea?

4. With all the bar fixtures, guests, could this system perform well at an "acceptable" audiophile level  with proper room treatments? I know this is a vague statement, but I just think my Pearls speakers is a much better pair than other bars with JBLs. 

5. With an extra $20k on audio equipment, what should I be upgrading/changing? I must add that I don't think selling my current set up is a good idea at the local market here, so I don't think I will sell everything to buy a new system. 

6. What else should I be aware of from the experienced guys here on this kind of venture?

Thank you guys so much!

K.

hoangkhoi1207
ketchup
698 posts
 

@hoangkhoi1207 All the bars in that article except one use huge speakers to fill the large rooms with sound and they look like permanent installations.  I don't think yours will cut it.

bikeboy52
187 posts
 

That’s so cool , Im an old guy I had no ideas these places existed and if I was a young guy I,d frequent your spot. I think Ketchup might have it right find a pair of vintage Klipschs or something else with horns maybe to add to the effect and go for it!! Best of luck to you!

pindac's avatar
pindac
2,864 posts
 

There has been prior to COVID in the UK a few types of Business Models that have proven to be quite attractive to a customer and frequently used as a repeated business.

One method is where a Vinyl LP sales premises has been set up so that it has a similar experience to using a Coffee Bar. It is quite a nice experience to choose an LP to listen to whilst having a Coffee and a Snack. There will also be the more common option to Flick Through the Sale Items, or Adon a Headphone and listen to LP's made available that are being promoted.

In more urban city locations there are trendy internet cafe's with a resident vinyl system in daily use, some of these premises run a secondary business where they are restaurant during the evening hours.

In Germany there are other concepts in use, where pursuit of an interest is supported by having access to a Vinyl System. These can be seen in some of the larger cities, have a look at the ones that can be found in Berlin and Frankfurt.      

hoangkhoi1207 OP
9 posts
 

Hey guys firstly thanks so much for your responds. 

And yes, there are people who actually wants to listen to higher quality music at a bar while socialise & having a good drink at the same time. I do, too. 

I have been to a few music bar in Singapore where music is not blasting at your face and hurt your ears, you can still sit down and talk and when you are not talking, you can clearly hear music playing nicely at a comfortable zone. 

Likely to what some of you recommended, most of the places I have been to around Asia here use more efficient horn speakers like Klipsch, but since I have my own speakers I thought if it is possible for me to utilise it since I'm not very financially capable at the moment. If it allows, I may start with a small area of 400-500sq ft/ 40-50m2 venue, so I wonder if my Joseph Audio Pearl could fill the space? I'm trying to look for a guide on speaker size/room volume to learn, if you guys know about it, please let me know. 

I can start with small venue first, and can always upgrades venue/electronics/speaker along the way if this works well. 

Also, do you guys think using the systems for hours everyday would worn it down very fast?

pindac's avatar
pindac
2,864 posts
 

The Link is showing a little bit of coverage on the subject of a Vinyl LP themed venue.

 

More to discover