Disclaimer

Researched guidance, not professional advice

ChurchSoundCalc publishes calculators and buying guidance compiled from manufacturer specifications, operator manuals, FCC rules, published standards and the consensus of verified owner reviews. We do not test products in person and we never claim to. Nothing on this site is a measured result from our own testing.

The calculators are planning tools built on standard engineering formulas, which each page shows. They size equipment. They do not design a system, they cannot account for your room's actual acoustics, and they are not a substitute for a measurement taken in the building.

Where you need a professional, without exception

• Anything overhead. Loudspeakers, projectors, screens, lighting and cameras suspended above people are a life-safety matter. Attachment points must be specified by a structural engineer or a certified rigger using rated hardware. Never hang anything from conduit, ductwork, a suspended ceiling grid or a decorative beam.
• All electrical work. Circuits, conduit, panel work and anything beyond plugging a device into an existing outlet is a job for a licensed electrician working to your local code. Our circuit loading figures are for planning a rack, not for wiring a building.
• Permanent installation design. In any room above roughly 500 seats, and in any room with a difficult shape or balcony, engage a qualified AV integrator who can produce a coverage prediction for your actual drawings.
• Regulatory compliance. Accessibility requirements, building code, fire code and occupancy rules vary by jurisdiction. Verify locally.

Wireless microphone regulations

Radio spectrum rules change, and operating a wireless microphone in a prohibited band is illegal. The information on this site reflects the United States position as we understand it and is not legal advice. Confirm the current FCC rules, and the rules of your own country, before you buy or operate any wireless system.

Hearing exposure

Sustained high sound levels cause permanent hearing damage. Where this site quotes exposure limits they come from published NIOSH guidance and are included so that a church can make an informed decision, not as a target to reach. Offer hearing protection where levels are high, and take a complaint about volume seriously.

Accuracy and liability

We work hard to be accurate and we correct mistakes when they are reported. Even so, specifications change, products are revised, prices move and formulas have assumptions. ChurchSoundCalc accepts no liability for any loss, damage, injury or cost arising from the use of the information on this site. Verify anything that matters before you spend money or attach something to a ceiling.

Found something wrong? Tell us and we will fix it.