Need Recommendation for Coffee Shop


I cannot make a decision for the life of me. Originally considered just a Beosound A9 in the corner. Now have moved on to considering two different stereo pairs of bookshelf speakers on opposite sides of the room.

The goal is not massive bass like what might be needed for a proper home theater setup. This is easy music listening with the occasional ability to pump it up for a celebration. MAYBE I’d add a sub down the road. But I’d rather spend a little more on a slightly better speaker up-front and not HAVE to do the sub (I know, probably sacrilege to many in here to not do a sub with bookshelf speakers). Main goal is excellent separation/clarity and to fill the room with sound. Atmos/Spatial Audio stuff not that important. Standard stereo goes a long way as long as there’s a good setup otherwise.

Room/space is 25 x 30 feet in the front area where customers will be. There’s an area in the back of similar size that we may add one speaker to in the future.

 

Considerations so far started with Triangle BR03/04 and have since moved to Triangle Comete Ez (way down in price from where they were and great aesthetics), ELAC Debut 3 (either of the sizes), Wharfedale Diamond 12.2, even KEF Q150...budget is a bit all over the place there. But I’m trying to figure what will work well. I don’t want the sound to sound so one-sided in the room, which is why we were thinking of putting TWO pairs on opposite sides of the wall (on bookshelves, not on stands). Bookshelves aren’t that deep at all (though we have good vertical space), so that’s another concern.

And then finally, the method will 100% have to be Airplay 2. So we’re thinking of some WiiM amps or something similar (one for each set since they’ll be separated) and then play to both from the airplay device.

Anyone have experience with filling a shop like this with sound on a budget? I’m thinking it’s just going to cost me an absolute minimum of $1,000 to not be complete garbage and likely $1,500-2,000 for what I actually want -- would really like to stay under $2,000 all-in. Obviously open to suggestions. I even thought about peppering the ceiling with Bose cube speakers for a minute. So...open-minded to say the least.

Also, for what it's worth, if someone recommends something that I end up going with, and it works out, I will totally Venmo/zelle something to the first to offer that suggestion for the help. Thank you in advance!

aottke

I would go with active, streaming speakers that can be configured and controlled with an app. Sonos offers excellent quality sound and software that will make them sound good in your space. They are also wall mountable so you may not need a shelf. Worth a look.

Since they are going to be placed against a wall get a closed box speaker (non ported).  Many can be wall mounted. 

SVS makes active speakers that you can air play to directly. They have had good feedback.  https://www.svsound.com/products/prime-wireless-pro-powered-speakers

 

This would allow you not to have to run speaker wires, that can do wifi and wired internet connections, they just need a power connection.

I like the active speakers concept for this application.  In addition to SVS I recommend Fluance.  The Ai41 are class D with variety of inputs ... Bluetooth being one.  Easy to use, with remote ... EQ is impressive and you can easily add a sub in the future.

I am always amazed by how well these sound ...

Thanks! Yes, I did do that research at least and have a plan we’ll pay for for commercial music licenses. 

If you’re going midcentury vibe, Klipsch the three might be a good choice.

I'd go with 2-6 Sonos Era 300's.  Those things sound unbelievably good.  You just need a 110v outlet where ever you want to place one.  They can be wall mounted with their optional wall mount kits ($100/pair) so they will be up and out of the way, just blanketing the coffee shop with sound.  No need for subs, running wires, etc.

Done.

Club I frequent went with SONOS. And a jukebox which folks can access from the TouchTunes app or from the machine itself. 
 

I second the active speaker route - KEF LS50 if you can afford them, or KEF LSX.

Your customers though they may be non-audiophiles will subconsciously register good sound and will be drawn to it (atleast a considerable chunk of them)...become those repeat customers, start telling their friends, etc. Bass is also a important foundation that can't be neglected.

For a small budget of 2k, I would look at something like a pair of Tekton Epic 15 floorstanders. It should provide a very life like sound, dynamics and lots of detail, the likes of which they've never heard in life.

Last not but the least, most of the magic created in a space is the room itself. I would seriously consider treatments. Gik acoustics offers some affordable diffusion, etc that could fit into the decor of a coffee shop.

I helped a bar owner revive a dying bar (poor location, etc) sometime ago. It's the music that essentially brought it back to life, imo.

Get a pair of the ELAC Narrow speakers in white. They are stylish, have a nice neutral tone with some fairly decent bass. You can get used sets for as low as $350 or so. It's a fantastic deal. 

 

For amplification, maybe the Schiit Vidar/Saga+ combo. That should have enough wattage to drive those ELACs while still providing great sound. WiiM could be used as you are DAC/streamer. If you want to spend less money on amplification, the Ayima T9 will give you everything you need in one compact little package. You would then still have some money left over for tube and power supply upgrades. 

Stage I: JBL 4309 and a WEEM amp. You should be able to do this for $2000. This will get you started, and give you a clear path forward. 

Stage 2: Either a 2nd zone like the first or a subwoofer. Whichever serves the needs of the business the best.

STAGE 3: Whatever you didn't do in Stage 2

Stage 4: The remaining space.

FWIW, I like the KEF LSX concept, but the JBLs will be more dynamic and play louder. If you just wanted background music, I'd probably lean towards the KEFs, but for the usage you describe, definitely want something that leans pro sound, not hifi.

Stop thinking of this installation in terms of home audio.  It is for background music while folks are enjoying your wares.  Unless your venue is being advertised as a listening lounge, you want your patrons to be comfortable being there, and able to comfortably converse. Any of the above would probably suffice.  Several venues have successfully used Klipsch Heresys mounted high on the walls; some of the previous suggestions would produce little to no bass in a room of the size you describe

I have no experience of Dynaudio's active speakers, but my wife has160s (not active & NLA) in her studio and they are excellent.

The Xeo 10 might meet your needs.  They support Air Play 2 directly so those plus your iPhone would do it I think.

The Focus 10 would be better SQ but are much more expensive.

 

 

You've listed some excellent speaker options for two-channel listening. However, as someone else pointed out, they’re all rear-ported, which can be an issue if you plan to place them close to a wall.

I previously owned the Wharfedale Diamond 12.2 and currently own the ELAC Debut 3.0 DB63. The ELAC, in particular, puts out a prodigious amount of bass.

I know what you don't want, is pinpoint speakers. You want something with a huge sound stage, and sweet spot.  Back ground music will be 60db or less? Think filling the room with sound is more important over sound quality. 

As said, something like the Bose 901's are perfect for this type of application. Or get several speakers to mount around the room. 

I'd suggest a pair of Sonos Era300s and call it done. They sound pretty good, streams every service and you'll be under your budget.

WiiM is not compatible with Airplay 2 AFAIK, so that’s out of contention. I agree with the all-in-one wireless speaker advocates. My suggestion is Bluesound Pulse Ms, start with 2 and add more if you feel the need. 

For background music PLEASE look up Soundcore. Look at the Motion X600. I discovered them while eating at a restaurant in Portugal. They were being used for background music. You will be amazed. When I got back home I ordered my own X600. Try it, you’ll like it. 👍

You don’t have to go crazy here because hopefully there will be so many customers, the music will be barely heard.

We have a newish coffee shop here that uses vintage amplification and speakers and a new Rega turntable.  They play nothing but vinyl and it sounds surprisingly good.  

I'm not of the target age nor single to make this habitual....the space itself is smaller than the pics infer, either....

The membership bottom line is a bit of block, but there's plenty of GenX in west AVL to perhaps make this fly.

Klipsch vintage, 2 TT's, small mixboard, a pair of amps....didn't get too nosy, wanted to be curious without looking like I was casing the place.....

https://www.potentialnewbf.com/ was a strange name, but my gaydar didn't go off.
If you find yourself in town, stop by....and I'm 10 min. away.
Parking will suck.

I like the Bose 901s in the corners.I remember a couple of places in the 80s on Long Island that had they set ups for there Bose.i know,one was on Fire Island can't remember where the other place was  

I have two recommendations - for an active speaker you could look at the new Technics Active speakers and for a passive speakers the relatively EPOS new ES-7N.

@aottke 

A coffee shop in Portland, OR I was in has the white KEF Q350 speakers mounted in the ceiling corners and they sound excellent.