Prati Italia, an upscale contemporary Italian restaurant in Jacksonville, Florida, recently upgraded its audio system with the SoundTube DSM-16 Dante System Manager, showcasing the benefits of a Dante-enabled Power over Ethernet (PoE) audio solution in a restaurant setting. Owned by Chef Tom Gray and his wife, Sarah Marie Johnston, Prati Italia’s original audio system, installed in January 2013, required an upgrade to better complement the restaurant’s haute design and extraordinary culinary experience.

Jerry Gray, the IT manager, explained that their primary goal was to update the restaurant’s audio control capabilities, particularly in the conference rooms. The existing remote system, which was more than 12 years old, was failing and no longer met their needs for audio distribution. This led to the decision to implement a hybrid system that could manage both new and existing audio equipment while providing flexibility in different areas of the establishment.

The SoundTube DSM-16 Dante System Manager was chosen for its ability to integrate with both new and legacy audio equipment. The main challenge was integrating the new Dante-enabled system with the existing amplifiers. The team overcame this by creating a hybrid system that allows for gradual upgrades as older equipment fails over time.

The DSM-16 offers several valuable features that have proven beneficial for Prati Italia. It allows for flexible zoning, enabling different audio sources and volume levels in various areas of the restaurant. Staff can easily adjust volume levels using tablets or wall-mounted controls. The system’s scalability was demonstrated when audio was added to the outdoor deck area. Additionally, remote management capability allows for control and troubleshooting without the need for on-site technical support.

Gray reported positive feedback on the system’s performance. The team at Prati Italia appreciates the system’s reliability and the improved control it provides over the restaurant’s audio environment. Customers have been enjoying the ambiance and high-performance sound delivered by the DSM-16 and SoundTube’s pendant, ceiling, surface-mount, and outdoor speakers.

Building on the success of this installation, Prati Italia is planning to implement a similar DSM-16-based system in its upcoming restaurant project, scheduled to open in early 2025. This new installation will feature additional SoundTube PoE products, including the IPD-4 PoE speakers, which can be powered and controlled via the network.

The implementation of the SoundTube DSM-16 at Prati Italia has significantly improved the restaurant’s audio capabilities. Its flexibility, ease of use, and scalability have made it an ideal solution for the restaurant’s evolving needs. As the owners expand their business with a new concept, the SoundTube system will play a crucial role in maintaining a high-quality audio experience for patrons while remaining user-friendly for staff.

Prati Italia Equipment List:

• Legacy Crown and Ashly amplifiers power the original system installed more than a decade ago.
• The Dante-enabled system uses one DSM-16 with three IPD-Hub 2 DSP amplifiers to bring the property to the network.
• The system includes several versions of SoundTube speakers installed over the past 12 years.
• The outdoor deck features 10 SM82 8-inch extreme weather surface-mount speakers, four IPD-Hub 2 DSP amplifiers, one IPD Hub 2 audio extender box, and a remote volume control.
• Interior dining areas include 18 RS500i pendant speakers with BroadBeam technology and 23 CM62-BGM 6-inch in-ceiling speakers for background music.
• Outdoor non-dining areas include three SM500i 5.25-inch extreme weather outdoor surface-mount speakers, three PunkRock 5.25-inch outdoor rock speakers, and one EconoRock 6.5-inch outdoor rock speaker. Over the past 12 years, these outdoor speakers have survived several hurricanes and tropical storms.