Five Audio Myths
Common misconceptions about working with audio contractors.
By Jerry Horn
Church leaders often make poor decisions about sound systems and about working with professional audio contractors because their underlying assumptions are false. Throughout this article, we will dispel the five most common myths.
Myth #1:
A church sound system is like a home stereo system, only bigger.
Size is not the only difference between home stereo components and a speaker system for an auditorium. To believe that a worship center is no different than a large living room is an invitation for disappointment. Even the smallest church auditoriums are large enough to be considered commercial venues.
Home-use audio equipment will not hold up to the rigors of commercial use. Professional equipment may seem to cost more at the outset, but it saves money in the long run because it lasts longer. Buying equipment from a local electronics superstore and expecting it to have long-term durability in a live sound environment is a surefire recipe for disaster.
Myth #2:
We'll save money by not involving an audio contractor.
As church leaders considering a sound system project, you are probably not sure if the money spent on hiring an audio contractor will be money well spent. After all, it might be possible for your staff or volunteers to do all the work and make all the right decisions. If you're right about this, you save some money. But if you're wrong, the consequences can be very costly.
"Most systems today involve many coordinated systems that must interface with each other to work properly," says John Fuqua, co-director of system contracting for All Pro Sound. "My concern here is that we see so many churches that are sold bits and pieces or some equipment that may not be the right gear for the application. We have been called in many times after this has happened and the client ends up spending more or doing more work than if we had been involved from the start."
Fuqua doesn't rule out the possibility of a church tackling an audio project on its own. "It depends on the size of the project, the technical expertise of the church staff, and the complexity of the work," he says. But with the involvement of a competent consultant or contractor at the start of a project, churches will avoid costly mistakes.
Myth #3:
With new construction, it's best to wait until the architect's plans are completed before involving an audio system contractor.
The best time to select an audio contractor is before any plans have been put to paper. Unfortunately, many churches avoid talking about technical needs until the very last minute, often relegating the sound system to last place in the budget discussions. Regrettably, that is one of the biggest and most costly mistakes that any church can make.
Acoustics, room dimensions, ceiling elevation, building materials, special architectural features, and other variables determine the type and scope of equipment that will be needed to accomplish your goals. Involving an audio contractor early will save you money. Churches frequently incur additional costs because the original plans did not adequately address the issue of room acoustics.
For example, I once belonged to a church where the exterior roof elevation had to be completely changed after an acoustic engineer suggested that the architect's original design would be an acoustical nightmare. Had the acoustic engineer been involved at the outset, the original roof design would not have been proposed, and, thus, the expense of a second set of plans would have been saved.
Myth #4:
It's impossible to evaluate a contractor's work until the job is complete.
This is simply not true. As leaders, you need to fully evaluate your contractor before hiring them. "Selecting an audio contractor should be based on the experience and reputation of the contractor, the number of similar size and scope projects they have done, their status in the industry, and how they respond," says Fuqua. "All a contractor can offer is service. If they are a full line dealer, then equipment cost should be competitive. Check some references and be sure the contractor has the ability to provide complete results for your project."
Myth #5:
The best way to save money on a sound system is to contract with the lowest bidder.
Think about it. The main reason that sound systems exist in worship centers is to enhance communication by making the spoken word more intelligible. And yet, many building committees shortchange the selection process by cutting the audio budget. The problem is that the committee does not recognize the importance of the audio system.
If you need open-heart surgery, you won't select a cardiologist based on price. Instead, you would ask your trusted family physician to recommend a highly skilled, experienced surgeon, regardless of price. When the results are more important than the money potentially saved, price is not a determining factor.
Shouldn't the church have the same attitude when it comes to equipping the house of God? The first priority in selecting an audio contractor should be professional experience. Yes, cost is important—but it should never take precedence over quality. The idea that price shopping for a sound system will save money is valid only if you are willing to settle for second best.
Depending on the size and complexity of your venue, prices for installed systems generally start at around $15,000-$20,000 for a basic system. Fuqua states that there is no "cookie-cutter" approach to designing a sound system for church use. While some factors may be similar, every church and every building is unique.
In estimating costs, an ongoing dialogue with the contractor is essential. First, ask your contractor for a ballpark figure. Then, talk to the key decision makers in your church and go back to your contractor and tell him how much money you can spend. Then let him make recommendations based on your needs and available monies. If you find yourself in a situation where your budget will not cover all your needs and desires, an honest contractor will make alternate suggestions.
Copyright © 2005 by the author or Christianity Today, Inc./Your Church magazine.
Click here for reprint information on Your Church.
January/February 2005, Vol. 51, No. 1, Page 24
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