Need suggestions for some moderatly priced, durable, satellite speakers for a restuarant.

Hyperlite

Diamond Member
May 25, 2004
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I'm installing a new stero system into my step-dad's resturaunt. We just purchased a gorgeous new Yamaha XM DTS reciever, and we need to add some new speakers around the dining area and in the kitchen. Does anyone know of some competitivly priced, small, wall-mountable, speakers that would work well for this application? Thanks in advance.
 

Hyperlite

Diamond Member
May 25, 2004
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Thanks for the input guys. Those outdoor rockets look great, i'm just a little concerned about the size...9.25" H x 7.0" D x 6.38" W @ 5lbs each. thats pretty darn big. Anyone know of some smaller outdoor speakers? I like the idea of using outdoor speakers, they will hold up better. i wouldn't want my installation falling apart on me anytime in the next 5 years or so.
 

Ken90630

Golden Member
Mar 6, 2004
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For smallish bookshelf speakers like you're describing, Paradigm makes some very nice products. They are nice looking, not too expensive, and they consistently receive high marks from the audiophile community. Size for size and dollar for dollar, I think they'll compete favorably with just about any other speakers out there. I don't own any, but I wish I did.

There are a number of fine bookshelf speakers out there if you know where to look (and I don't mean Best Buy or Wal-Mart). NHT, Wharfedale, Canton and B&W make some high quality smallish speakers (although the last two on that list are typically somewhat expensive). Pick up a few audio magazines like Sound & Vision or The Absolute Sound and just thumb thru the ads and maybe read some reviews to familiarize yourself a bit.

Generally speaking, I'd avoid the speakers from companies that don't specialize in speakers. You know -- the Samsungs, Panasonics, Aiwas, JVCs, and Sonys of the world -- they may be okay for certain other components, but they do not make particularly noteworthy speakers and never have.

Incidentally, you do not need outdoor speakers for a restaurant dining room & kitchen. A good quality set of Paradigms or comparable speakers will likely hold up fine for decades. I've got some Yamaha and ADS bookshelf speakers that date back to the mid-70s and mid-80s, and they're in perfect shape. Many outdoor speakers are made of ABS plastic or some other less-than-ideal cabinet material, and sound quality sometimes takes a back seat to "weather resistance," "rugged cones," or similar design/production considerations. Let's face it: most people don't do their critical listening on the patio, by the pool, or on the boat. :p There may be exceptions, of course -- I'm speaking in general terms here.

Good luck. A nice set of speakers with that nice receiver should sound pretty good. :)
 

arcas

Platinum Member
Apr 10, 2001
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Honestly, if you're just looking for satellite speakers (how many?), you might consider just building some. The electronics shop Parts-Express (http://www.partsexpress.com) has a pretty active speaker-building forum with lots of crossover and enclosure designs. If you're moderately handy with woodworking tools and have basic soldering skills, you can build your own speakers that will rival any that you can buy.

Since your restaurant surrounds will likely be hidden away near the ceiling, you don't even have to worry about applying expensive wood veneers. Just use an inexpensive woodgrain vinyl laminate or something.


edit: looks like the AT filter munged the URL. fixed.
 

ribbon13

Diamond Member
Feb 1, 2005
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i linked PE earlier in this post, but your right about DIY speakers. I think the BR-1 kit would actually be pretty well suited for a resturaunt, and customers will like quality background music a lot more than tinny outdoor speaker sound.