Sonos speakers offer flexibility and high-quality audio for personal and commercial environments. They were originally built for enjoying audio in your home. Yet, Sonos speakers can be an excellent way to power the music in your business. Luckily for business owners, Custom Channels has partnered with Sonos to offer a seamless, reliable integration for licensed, legal music in your business on the Sonos app. However, before you buy Sonos equipment here are a few things you should consider to make sure that Sonos is the right audio solution for your business.
How Much Space Do You Have?
When designing the layout of your business it’s always important to keep in mind where music will be playing. How will your customers, and employees, will experience it? In a small space, it’s possible to get by with just a few speakers placed around the perimeter of the space. Typically, if your business has many rooms or separated areas you’ll at least need at least one sound source for each area. Even more speakers are needed for much larger spaces or businesses with higher ceilings. And don’t forget about back-of-house!
Your employees need music, too. Each business is different. Your space will have its own needs as far as music is concerned. If you find that you’re in need of dozens of speakers placed in many different areas around your business, you may want to consider a more traditional commercial stereo installation. The flexible benefits of Sonos start to wane at that scale. On the other hand, if you determine that a few speakers will do the trick, Sonos might be a perfect solution that saves you time and effort in the long run.
What is Your Budget?
Sonos offers powerful, high-quality audio that is virtually unmatched when it comes to wireless speakers. However, when building a budget for audio it’s vital to make sure costs don’t run away from you. In many cases, Sonos is a practical, affordable choice for in-store audio. Set up can often be more cost-effective and easily managed than a traditional install. Though when many speakers are needed, Sonos prices can quickly snowball. And because Sonos relies on wireless networks, the more speakers you have may lead to higher costs and more headaches when it comes to network configuration. Whatever your budget, it’s always best to thoroughly research all options to ensure a fair price.
How Will Your Music Be Used?
One final consideration when designing the sound system for your business is how it will be used for music. Do you plan to play the same playlist throughout your whole business? Do you want different music playing in different areas? Does your business require an intercom or paging capabilities? Both Sonos and traditional stereo systems can be suitable for any combination of these scenarios, though some setups are better suited than others.
For example, Sonos makes it easy to setup and control separate zones of music. Plus, their app gives anyone centralized control of each area at any time. The Sonos app also allows for quick-switching between options. So if your business is in need of multi-zone music options, Sonos may provide a simple answer.
On the other hand, if your business uses speakers to play announcements or page people, traditional stereo systems allow for ducking or source-switching functionalities that are critical for those types of situations.
So, Is Sonos Right For You?
Setting up a sound system from the start for your business is no easy task. Sonos offers an alternative to traditional stereos and amplifiers but the benefits and costs should be carefully considered like any sound business investment. When making this decision, it’s helpful to consult experts and seek recommendations. There are even ways that Sonos equipment can be paired with commercial amplifiers and speakers to strike a balance between costs, flexibility, and reliability.
Whether using a commercial stereo installation, self-installed Sonos speakers, or a combination of the two, Custom Channels offers the best music for your business. See how we can provide your business with a high-quality, legal music solution over Sonos and traditional setups alike. Feel free to contact us for any questions or guidance about setting up your in-store audio system.