Six-step wizardry

Venue owners and integrators have been provided with a free online tool that has been designed to give system recommendation in under 5 minutes. Launched by Optimal Audio, Venue Wizard is able to suggest a combination of multi-zone control, amplification and loudspeakers, once users have answered six questions about the venue and how it is used.

The questions asked by the tool address issues such as live sport, HDMI connectivity, the number of zones the venue needs and whether a powered variant suits the way loudspeakers will be deployed. The answers that the user gives to the different question will steer the recommendation towards the Zone family.

Practical questions also shape the outline specification, such as whether loudspeakers will be mounted on the wall, in the ceiling or outdoors. An “I don’t know” option is offered throughout, and any uncertainty is carried forward to the local distributor.

“The online tool aims to keep the process simple and is targeted towards users who are not familiar with commercial audio. Venue Wizard takes that away. After a few questions about their venue, a buyer comes away with a clear picture of what they could achieve. If they want to go further, they’re a few details away from a conversation with an expert in their own market,” commented Jamie Gomez, global demand manager at Optimal Audio.

Venue Wizard is not a full system design tool but rather a starting point for buyers who require system recommendation. The tool does not require an initial sign-up but buyers who would like their recommendation emailed to them, or followed up, can submit a few details.