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HERE
IS A LIST OF THE SEVEN MOST COMMON ERRORS CHURCH GROUPS
MAKE WHEN BUYING A NEW SOUND SYSTEM! |
1. Failure to understand the value differences between brand A and brand B equipment.
Most of the equipment brands used in professional sound systems are not household
words. Some recognizable brands are often musician or consumer equipment which may not be
suitable for use in a professional sound reinforcement system. Since you usually get what
you pay for, you must be able to determine the value and suitability of Brand A amp at
$599 vs. the value of Brand B amp at $699. The more expensive amp may actually be a better
bargain! |
2. Failure to develop and communicate your
system capability requirements.
All bidders must have a uniform, written statement of your needs. All bidders
must bid from the same sheet of music. A "walk around the church" meeting
answering the questions of each bidder often leads to vastly different proposals making a
fair comparison of bids impossible. |
3. Failure to establish a reasonable budget
and to provide budgetary guidelines to bidders.
Most successful system installations fall into the cost range of $65 to $85 per
seat. The establishment of a realistic budget is key to getting a good result. Regardless
of your actual budget, some budgetary guidance must be provided to all prospective bidders
so that they can work towards meeting your needs within your budget. |
4. Failure to require documentation,
training and on site service contracts after completion.
Many sound installers give you just what you ask for and nothing more. Numbering
wires, wire number charts, equipment lists and signal flow diagrams are key to reducing
the cost of service which will be required later. On site service contracts provide
routine, scheduled maintenance that will keep your system working perfectly at a fixed
annual cost. |
5. Failure to contact and/or visit
installations noted on prospective contractors reference list.
Most contractors provide references of jobs similar to yours. It is imperative
that you talk with others to determine each contractors past performance both in terms of
the actual installation as well as the quality and availability of service after the sale. |
6. Failure to require detailed performance
predictions with proposals.
Modeling is a technique used by architects for centuries. Acoustical
modeling has been used by sound contractors for years. Most professional contractors can
provide detailed computer generated predictions of volume uniformity and intelligibility
estimates for your space. Even if you have difficulty interpreting this information it is
good to know that the bidder has engineered his solution and is not just guessing with
your money. |
7. Failure to put aesthetic concerns in
perspective with engineering facts.
Many congregations get caught up with absolutes in not varying the
appearance of their sanctuary. Center cluster speaker installations always work better in
reverberant spaces. It is important to let the sound system engineers develop a system
that will work properly and let the architects develop aesthetically pleasing finish work
to conceal the required infrastructure. |
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