Houses of worship are varied, with sanctuaries and spaces of many sizes, interior styles, and shapes. In our 34 years of experience working with churches and congregations in designing auditorium sound systems, one of the questions that sparks the liveliest conversations is, "Where do I put the speakers?" Naturally, the acoustics of the space, and perhaps more importantly, how the congregation worships and services are conducted, will play key roles in the design of the audio system.

Should there be one speaker or many? Should you have a central speaker or a cluster suspended from the ceiling? Should you have speakers on columns or side walls? Do you need subwoofers? Keep reading below to see how we address these questions for St. Louis, MO houses of worship.

SEE ALSO: 3 Reasons Why Upgrading Your Church Sound System is a Smart Investment

Who Decides?

Typically, we work with a small group of people in the congregation that guides the decisions. Sometimes there is a committee of people, and sometimes it is the pastor, a music minister, or a facilities manager. While the technical requirements are left mostly up to us, how the system affects the aesthetics of the space is a primary consideration. This is one of the first issues we discuss. While aesthetics need to be balanced with performance in the sound system, some congregations feel more strongly about one versus the other. In the end, an audio system is a tool that helps to advance the objectives of the congregation and ministry, and there are a variety of considerations that feed into the ultimate solution.

What to Consider

In our many years of experience working with church audio systems, here are the five key areas we consider in designing the right solution that will best meet the needs of a house of worship:

1. Architecture/Aesthetics/Appearance. This matters (in varying degrees) to all churches, from a historic cathedral to a small country church. What will the congregation tolerate visually to be able to hear the service? 

2. Spatial Orientation. A sound system should “reinforce” the natural acoustic output of those speaking, singing, or playing music. This means that the amplified sound should feel natural and sound like it is coming from the people speaking or performing. 

3. Room Acoustics. Once installed, the loudspeakers and the room become a system, and one cannot be separated from the other. Highly reverberant or "lively" spaces may require a different approach than "dead" or less reverberant rooms. 

4. Seating Configuration. Where is the stage (sanctuary, dais, chancel, altar, etc.) in relation to the seating areas? What is the size and orientation of the seating, and is it fixed or movable?

5. Worship style. Are services traditional or contemporary? Is the music program big or small? Worship style, congregational participation, and music performance will play into the system's requirements and will affect decisions on speaker types and locations. 

The Right Solution

Elite Technology Solutions works in concert with houses of worship to find the best solution that balances performance, budget, and aesthetic considerations. We strive to provide honest feedback and the information necessary to find the right sound system solution. So, where do we put the speakers? As you might guess by now, it depends!

 

If you are looking to install or upgrade an auditorium sound system for your church or house of worship, we’re here to help. Get started by calling us today at (636) 939-4474 or reach out on our contact page. We look forward to working with you!