Choosing the best restaurant sound system

When potential diners walk into your restaurant, there are various things that contribute to their overall first impression. Lighting, smell and sound, for example, are all huge factors. Most diners aren't above turning around and walking out if the vibe isn't quite right.

And although we can't help you with the sizzle – we'll leave that to the chef – we can definitely help with the soundtrack. Because choosing the best restaurant sound system for the space you're working with can literally make or break that vibe.

Counterintuitively, the best music systems for restaurants are so well-integrated that diners hardly notice them at all – they're omnipresent, without being intrusive. But the good news is that the most suitable audio system for a restaurant isn't automatically the most expensive one; it's the one that's right for your space.

In this guide, we'll cover a few considerations for restaurant sound system design – audio sources, control layers, distribution, placement and so on – and how they vary depending on the size of your venue. So, let's get those tunes bumping, shall we?

What makes a good restaurant sound system?

We'll start with a point that might sound completely obvious: a commercial audio setup for a restaurant is very different to a sound system you might install in your home.

What might not be so obvious, especially if you don't have much audio experience, is that what constitutes a good sound system looks very different depending on the restaurant. A small café with a single dining area, for example, requires a very different setup to a large venue with a separate bar area, outdoor seating, reception, and so on.

These are some of the questions you should be asking when you start planning:

• Do you need multiple speakers or nodes to cover the space evenly?

• Would a wireless system make your life easier (or tidier)?

• Will multiple staff members need to be able to control the system?

• How will the vibe of the music you're playing change throughout the day?

The answers to questions like these will have a huge impact on the brands and types of products you might need. However, we'd argue the size of your restaurant is the best place to start because — along with budget — it can help you narrow your options down quickly.

Typical restaurant sound systems by size

The below templates are best treated as a rough guide, because there will always be exceptions to the rule — high ceilings, thick concrete walls, weird acoustic quirks, etc. — but they're a good starting point to consider as you look to figure out possible setups.

Small restaurants and cafés

Size: <1,500 sq ft (140 m²)
Typical setup: one or two audio zones, one music source, <5 speakers

Small spaces demand balanced, tidy solutions that don't need to be overly complicated.

Solutions like Sonos and Ubiquiti UniFi are great for small to medium sized restaurants, with wireless nodes that can be placed wherever you need them. If the coverage isn't quite right, expanding your existing setup is as easy as adding another speaker.

Both companies also provide intuitive apps and software to manage your system, which is something to watch out for if multiple staff members need to be able to control audio. WiiM is another great option for smaller venues that won't break the bank.

Mid-size restaurants

Size: 1,500–5,000 sq ft (140–465 m²)

Typical setup: 3–5 audio zones, multiple music sources, 5–20 speakers

For restaurants with more tables, and more diners, you may need to think a little bigger. Just because a track works in the foyer doesn't mean that it will suit the bar or dining area, which is when independent control of multiple zones starts to become a necessity.

Systems like Bose Professional, Axis and Q-SYS all offer options for different tracks and/or playlists running simultaneously across different areas of the restaurant, controlled via a central control layer. This means you can keep things jumping in the bar while maintaining a more chilled environment for diners, while limiting sound bleed between zones.

Large restaurants

Size: >5,000 sq ft (465 m²)

Typical setup: 5+ audio zones, multiple music sources, 20+ speakers

Larger restaurants inevitably require more complicated setups, with features like zoned amplification and advanced control layers. This is the point at which a sound system becomes a legitimate part of your infrastructure. Be sure to check out our guide to AV installation for more tips on choosing equipment based on venue size and budget.

Brands like Crestron, Bose and QSC all deliver enterprise-level solutions that are customisable and offer a range of integrations with audio, video, lighting and other building systems. As you'd expect from their higher price points, their equipment is durable and boasts high-end sound.

Final thought: focus on coverage, not power

Clubs and bars can make a name for themselves by stacking huge speakers with pounding bass that makes your teeth chatter when the beat drops. For restaurants, that's not the move.

When you're planning sound systems for restaurants, the last thing you want to do is splash out on the most powerful and/or expensive speakers in your budget. Instead, think about creating even coverage, which delivers consistent sound levels across the venue.

That's the key to delivering that invisible audio experience, where music is always present but never too dominant, that we talked about at the start of this article. It can be tricky to get right but, when you do, it's the perfect way to elevate your restaurant's atmosphere.

For more information on some of the brands mentioned above, and their product ranges, check out our apps and hardware recommendations. And be sure to sign up to give Soundtrack a spin, with 125 million tracks and 2,500 curated playlists that will sound perfect coming out of whichever restaurant sound system you decide on!