Church Audio System

How Much Does a Church Sound System Cost?

Get instant high and low-budget estimates for your new church sound system

MediaMerge
Church Sound System Budget Calculator

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How much does a church audio installation cost?

Our Church Sound System Calculator provides you with a conservative price range for use in budgeting. The pricing provided assumes no equipment will be re-used and is based on commonly requested peripherals and capabilities. The calculator can serve as a great jumping off point for churches beginning the process of investing in a church sound system solution.

STEP 1: Enter Sanctuary Size

Tape Measure Icon WhiteSanctuary Square Footage
Determine the square footage of your facility by measuring the entire public area of the facility (Sanctuary, Worship Center, Chapel, etc.) including seating areas, aisles, balconies and stage. Enter the total into the church sound system budget calculator.

Cost-per-square-foot is a metric used for budget development in other areas of the construction industry. There are a number of challenges related to this approach for AVL, namely that the size of the stage area can affect budget results. These differences can produce swings in the final budget range, however, this methodology can be useful for gauging the potential cost to install a new church sound system. 

Pew Icon WhiteSanctuary Seating
To calculate the number of seats, include only the seating in the congregation area. Do not include choir seating or other seating on the stage platform. Also, do not use maximum capacity figures provided by the fire marshal or code offices. These numbers are sometimes inflated beyond actual realistic seating capacity. The number of seats may be well expressed by your maximum Easter Sunday attendance in a single service. Enter the total into the church sound system budget calculator.

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Cost-per-seat is a metric that can be used to develop a budget guideline. There are a number of challenges related to this approach, namely that pews, chairs and theater seats all provide different densities of seating area. These differences can produce swings in the final budget range, however, this methodology can be useful for gauging the potential cost of a new church sound system.

STEP 2: Select a "Worship Style"

Using labels related to worship style can be a little dangerous. The terms often used are very subjective and can be loaded with emotional and political baggage. For the purposes of establishing cost guidelines, the following definitions can be used to help you align your particular presentation style with the appropriate budget category in the calculator.

Contemporary Worship
Contemporary
These systems include multi-channel concert-quality sound with controls designed for experienced, high-skill users. Systems will typically include a large number of stage inputs, top-tier digital console, top-of-the-line loudspeakers, a large number of personal monitor mixers (PMMs) and high-end digital wireless mics. Ancillary systems may include multi-channel recording, distributed audio, assisted listening and broadcast audio capabilities.
Blended-Contemporary Worship 800x450 16_9
Blended/Contemporary
These systems include stereo concert-quality sound with controls designed for moderately experienced users. Systems will typically include a large number of stage inputs, mid-tier digital console, top-of-the-line loudspeakers, a moderate number of personal monitor mixers (PMMs) and mid-tier digital wireless mics. Ancillary systems may include multi-channel recording, distributed audio, assisted listening and broadcast audio capabilities.
Blended-Traditional Worship
Blended/Traditional
These systems include mono sound with controls designed for less experienced users. Systems will typically include a moderate number of stage inputs, entry-level digital console, mid-tier loudspeakers, four stage monitor mixes and a few mid-tier digital wireless mics. Ancillary systems may include stereo recording and limited distributed audio.
Traditional Worship
Traditional
These systems include mono sound geared primarily for speech reinforcement with controls designed for inexperienced users. Systems will typically include a small number of stage inputs, entry-level digital console, mid-tier loudspeakers, up to two stage monitor mixes and a few mid-tier digital wireless mics. Ancillary systems may include recording and very limited distributed audio.

STEP 3: Select "Skill Level"

Systems can be engineered to accommodate operators at a broad range of skill levels. The more flexible a system is the more skill is required to operate the system effectively. Select your system Skill Level based on your anticipated operator skill level.

Standard
These systems are designed for volunteers and system operators with limited experience. In many cases flexibility and power will be sacrificed for simplicity and ease of use.

Advanced
These systems are designed to provide maximum features and flexibility. Advanced users are very experienced and demand a broad range of professional-grade tools and capabilities.

STEP 4: Click "Email Me the Report"

You have the option to request a breakdown of the cost calculator. Click the blue "Email Me the Report" button located within the calculator and enter your contact information to receive a PDF report that includes cost break-downs, details about the process of buying a new system and other valuable insights for churches considering investing in church audio equipment.

DISCLAIMER: Once again, it's important to note that a wide range of factors can profoundly affect the price of a church sound system. The figures provided are intended to provide a budgetary guideline to help your church begin the conversation. Do not use these estimates for establishing a final church sound system cost.

SS Buyers Guide_3D (Resized)
This buyers guide provides detailed information on church sound system installation, cost, buying process, biggest pitfalls to avoid and more.
View Guide

What We Do

Audio Systems

 Delivering a high-quality audio experience isn't easy. Our seasoned engineers make it simple for you to sound great in any environment.

Video Systems

Communicate more effectively with visual technology that seamlessly integrates with your infrastructure. 

Lighting Systems

Change the ambiance of your conference room, sanctuary or museum exhibit with our custom designed lighting solutions.

Design

Our creative background in a broad range of projects helps when creating an environment that cultivates collaborative outcomes and immersive experiences.

Installation

Safety is the first concern when it comes to installation. Whether it’s hanging equipment overhead or pulling wire, our installers follow code to the letter. All wiring is meticulously managed and documented for future serviceability.

Training & Support

Our official policy on training is that we don’t have one. If your team can’t use our technology then we have failed. Whether it’s one short training session or ten, we guarantee that your team will get the training and support they need.

Questions about our services?
 
CU5
MediaMerge has always been easy to work with and ready to answer any questions we’ve had. They do a great job working within a given budget and are not satisfied unless the customer is. I highly recommend them for anything AVL.”
Bradley White - FBC Summit

Bradley White
Worship Pastor

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