Help laying out system - Commercial

[TLCNORM]

I am looking to put a small simple audio system at a friends doctors office. All he wants is 2 pairs of speakers and either ipod dock, Pandora radio, cable box audio stations or satellite radio. Just looking for soft background music.

Would it be OK to buy a simple 2 channel receiver as the main amp considering it will run 5-6 days a week for 8 hours? If so I would put a speaker selector with volume control on top of the receiver.

He would prefer satellite radio. Is there any satellite box that I can use without an antenna? I have an internet connection in same closet and was hoping there was a solution to use internet rather than an external antenna. I would rather not drill through the cement wall to mount an antenna.

Thanks.

 

[ysualum]

For my office, I have an old receiver that I connected to a Niles VCS HUB8 which then distributes the audio to about 6 pairs of speakers. I use Phoenix Gold VMT100 volume controls in each room so I can turn down the volume if needed.

I have my receiver next to a PC and stream an internet radio channel out to the receiver. Been working for 5 years w/o problems so far.

 

[FaderJockey]

Sonos S5 (or ZonePlayer 120 if he wants the speakers spread out) with the wireless iPod dock.

It will play Pandora, Last.FM and other online services, and the available internet radio channel list is pretty extensive.

It also has a pair of RCA ins that could be used with a satellite tuner.

 

[pete_c]

Helped a newbee dental office (old friend whom decided to start her own practice) last year/early this year with a sound system.

I purchased a used Russound, 5 pairs of speakers and 5 keypads. She likes classical music only. Due to costs (way way over initial budget) we went to just radio (tuner). I was able to "spread" the sound to 4-5 dental procedures offices (chairs), front reception area/waiting area, 2 labs, her private office and a lunch room.



I didn't get any reception in her "server room" so extended a zoned amp input to one of the rooms in her office with a window via a CAT5 to analogue audio jack. She is still utilizing said methodology. I also set up the office such that she could utilize her Ipod. I want to slowly introduce her (she is not technologically inclined) slowly to streaming internet audio when she is ready (gift sitting on a shelf right now collecting dust now since the beginning of the year). She wanted to keep her monthly recurring costs down so we chose to opt out on the satellite box and later go with her already installed internet access. The office she worked it before (another dentist) is currently utilizing satellite. (helped her some with her audio over the last 20 years or so - initially cassettes, then CDs, then an Ipod and finally to current satellite radio).

 

[tmbrown97]

+1 for the sonos - the ZonePlayer 120 will drive her own speakers... get a pair of ceiling speakers and hook them directly to it. It'll play pandora, Rhapsody, Sirius (over the internet - no need for antenna), lost.fm, etc. IMHO, the simplest option of all.

 

[AnthonyZ]

Don't get pinched for illegally pumping in music that isn't being licensed properly. iPods, XM, etc. are poor choices if you want to stay above the law.

 

[TLCNORM]

Thanks for the quick response. I like the looks of the Sonos. It might very well fit the bill. If he gets the ZP120 what would be the next best controller for it if he does not get the sonos controller? Ipod? Would an Office PC be difficult to set up through the network? I am not a network guy and would not want to mess up the networked computers.

Could I run 2 rooms from one ZP120? Would I run the speaker out to a speaker control box with volume controls? I think he is fine with both zones playing the same music just possibly different volume levels.

 

[jautor]

Don't get pinched for illegally pumping in music that isn't being licensed properly. iPods, XM, etc. are poor choices if you want to stay above the law.

Yep, that's a good point to raise. But XM and other providers have subscription plans for business use:

http://www.xm4biz.com/


Jeff