Audio Equipment Rental | What are the Differences between Professional Audio and Home Audio? A Detailed Comparison

For most consumers, when they hear the term "audio equipment", they will think of ordinary audio equipment used in daily life, such as car audio and home audio.

However, for professional audio equipment, which is often used in large-scale concerts and live events, since very few people have used it personally, the vast majority of people do not understand it. Moreover, the complex operating systems and buttons of professional audio equipment also make people not know how to use it.

So, what are the differences between professional audio and home audio? This popular science article on audio equipment rental will explain in detail the differences and functions between professional audio and home audio.

Professional Audio and Home Audio

Differences between Professional Audio and Home Audio

Generally speaking, the biggest difference between professional audio and ordinary home audio is the place of use. For example, home audio is used in small, non-commercial family spaces. The sound is relatively delicate, and the sound pressure level and power of playback are not very high.

On the other hand, professional audio is often used in large commercial venues. It has a large volume, a wide sound propagation range, and is expensive. Therefore, the vast majority of families will not purchase it, and it is more often used when renting commercial audio equipment.

I. Home Audio

Common configurations of home audio systems: sound source, power amplifier, speaker, and connecting cables

1. Sound source: Sound sources include cassette recorders, CD players, LD players, VCD players, and DVD players.

2. Power amplifier: Amplifies the signal power output by the sound source. Commonly seen power amplifiers nowadays include transistor power amplifiers and vacuum tube amplifiers.

3. Speaker: Directly affects the listening effect.

4. Connecting cables: Cables connecting the sound source to the power amplifier and cables connecting the power amplifier to the speaker.

Basic requirements for home audio systems:

1. Requirements for home audio equipment

The preferred sound source is a DVD, which has a pure digital design. It is equipped with an AC-3 interface and can directly form a Dolby surround sound system with AC-3, providing high-quality audio and multi-channel sound effects. Such as stereo (2 channels) or multi-channel (5.1/7.1), and it supports AirPlay and Bluetooth aptX HD wireless transmission.

Power amplifier: It should have multiple pairs of input and output terminals and a relatively large power output (the power of each channel ≥ 1.5 times the rated power of the speaker).

Speaker: Generally, a home does not require a speaker with high power output. However, the speaker is required to have good sensitivity (86dB), impedance (4-8Ω), directional characteristics, and frequency response characteristics, covering the range of 20Hz-20kHz (full frequency band). It is best to use a full-range speaker. For a small room of less than 10 square meters, choose bookshelf speakers to avoid muddy bass. For a large space of more than 20 square meters, choose a combination of floor-standing speakers and a subwoofer.

Connecting cables: The frequency characteristics and shielding characteristics must be good (use oxygen-free copper wires of 16-18AWG for audio cables, and the HDMI cable needs to support ARC/eARC return). Avoid interference with the sound quality by other signals.

In terms of equipment matching, you can consider matching high-sensitivity speakers with a small-power vacuum tube amplifier (for a warm tone), and low-sensitivity speakers require a high-power transistor amplifier (for a strong dynamic effect).

Budget suggestions: Basic entry level: Bookshelf speakers + entry-level power amplifier + CD player; Advanced experience: Floor-standing speakers + integrated power amplifier + high-resolution digital player; Audiophile level: Independent pre-amplifier and power amplifier + flagship speakers + professional acoustic decoration.

Precautions

Avoid blindly pursuing "parameters". A wide frequency response range does not necessarily mean good sound quality. Reject the "package trap". Low-priced packages often have insufficient power amplifier output and poor speaker quality.

2. Requirements for the listening environment

For an ordinary family, the living room cannot be adjusted in terms of the environment and internal structural proportions. However, it should be noted that the suitable indoor temperature is 15-30°C, and the humidity of 40%-60% is the best.

Regarding the listening environment of the living room, try to maintain symmetry, that is, geometric symmetry and acoustic symmetry. First, in terms of geometric symmetry, with the listening position as the center, place the audio equipment symmetrically. Arrange the left and right speakers and the listener in an isosceles triangle layout, or arrange the surround channels according to the THX standard.

In terms of acoustic symmetry, the speakers should be placed away from the wall, at least 30 cm away from the rear wall. Hang sound-absorbing curtains of the same material on the wall behind the speakers to reduce the absorption or reflection of sound. In addition, avoid having a thick sound-absorbing curtain on one side and smooth glass with strong reflection on the other side.

In addition, the power amplifier of the audio equipment should be kept away from heat sources, avoid stacking, and the CD player should use foot spikes or silicone pads.

If you want to learn low-cost environment optimization techniques, you can consider using furniture. For example, fabric sofas and thick carpets can absorb high-frequency reflections, and bookshelves with books can diffuse sound waves.

Rental of Stage Audio Equipment

II. Professional Audio

Configuration of professional audio systems:

1. Small and medium-sized performances (for less than 500 people)

Equipment list: Digital mixer (16-24 channels), 4-channel DSP processor, 2 stereo power amplifiers (main amplification) + 1 mono power amplifier (subwoofer), 4 full-range main speakers + 2 subwoofers, 2 stage monitor speakers

2. Large theaters/halls

Equipment list: Digital mixer with more than 32 channels (supporting the Dante protocol), multi-channel DSP matrix, power amplifier rack, line array speaker system (such as L-Acoustics Kiva II) and distributed ceiling/wall-mounted auxiliary speakers.

3. Multi-functional conference rooms

Equipment list: Digital mixer with USB, feedback suppressor (such as Sabine FBX series), power amplifier + full-range speaker (such as BOSE FreeSpace 5), conference microphone (wired/wireless gooseneck microphone)

Equipment configuration principles:

Power matching: The rated power of the power amplifier ≥ 1.5 times the power of the speaker (dynamic margin); the power of the subwoofer needs to be calculated separately.

Impedance matching: The output impedance of the power amplifier needs to be consistent with the impedance of the speaker.

Signal chain optimization: Use balanced transmission XLR/TRS cables. For digital signals, give priority to optical fibers or CAT6 network cables (Dante/AES67 protocol).

Redundancy design: In important occasions, backup mixers, power amplifiers, and microphone systems are required, and the power supply system should be equipped with a UPS.

Rental of Professional Audio

Precautions

Give priority to equipment of the same brand because of better compatibility. For example, DiGiCo mixer + Meyer Sound speakers.

Avoid mixing speakers with different sensitivities, as this will lead to an imbalance in sound pressure level.

Recommendations for Audio Equipment Rental Companies in Hong Kong

The Mobile Audio-Visual Studio provides cost-effective audio equipment rental services to help make your event a complete success. Whether you are planning an exquisite wedding, a formal business meeting, or a grand outdoor event, the Mobile Audio-Visual Studio can provide the most top-notch audio equipment and professional knowledge to ensure that the sound effect of your event is flawless.

Conclusion

So, what are the differences between professional audio and home audio? This popular science article on audio equipment rental has explained in detail the differences and functions between professional audio and home audio. After reading this article, do you have a better understanding of audio equipment? If you have any questions, you can contact us for consultation.