International. Prati Italia is an upscale contemporary Italian restaurant in Jacksonville, Florida. The venue recently upgraded its audio system with the Dante SoundTube DSM-16 System Manager, demonstrating the benefits of a Dante-enabled Powered over Ethernet (PoE) audio solution in a restaurant.
Owned by chef Tom Gray and his wife Sarah Marie Johnston, Prati Italia's audio system, originally installed in January 2013, required an upgrade. The new high-end audio system was designed to perfectly complement the high-end design and extraordinary culinary experience offered by Prati Italia.
Jerry Gray, an IT manager, explained that his main goal was to upgrade the restaurant's audio control capabilities, especially in conference rooms. The existing remote system, more than 12 years old, was failing and no longer meeting their audio distribution needs. This led to the decision to implement a hybrid system that could manage new and existing audio equipment, while offering flexibility in different areas of the establishment.
The SoundTube DSM-16 Dante System Manager was chosen for its ability to integrate with new and existing audio equipment. The main challenge was to integrate the new Dante-compatible system with existing amplifiers. The team overcame this by creating a hybrid system that allows for gradual upgrades as old equipment fails over time.
The DSM-16 Dante System Manager offers several valuable features that have proven beneficial to Prati Italia. It allows for flexible zoning, allowing different audio sources and volume levels in different areas of the restaurant. Staff can easily adjust volume levels in different spaces using tablets or wall controls. The scalability of the system was demonstrated by incorporating audio to the outdoor terrace. In addition, the remote management capability allows for control and troubleshooting without the need for on-site technical support.
Jerry Gray received positive feedback about the system's performance. The Prati Italia team values the reliability of the system and the improved control it provides over the restaurant's audio environment. Customers have enjoyed the high-performance ambience and sound offered by the DSM-16 and SoundTube's pendant, ceiling, surface, and outdoor speakers.
Following the success of this installation, Prati Italia is already planning to implement a similar system based on the DSM-16 in its next restaurant project, which is scheduled to open in early 2025. This new installation will incorporate additional SoundTube PoE products, including the IPD-4 PoE speakers, which can be powered and controlled over the network.
The implementation of the SoundTube DSM-16 Dante System Manager at Prati Italia has significantly improved the restaurant's audio capabilities. Its flexibility, ease of use, and scalability have made it the ideal solution for the changing needs of the restaurant. As the owners of Prati Italia expand their company with a new concept, the SoundTube system will play a crucial role in maintaining a high-quality audio experience for their customers, while also being easy to use for restaurant staff.
List of Prati Italia teams:
The Legacy Crown and Ashley amplifiers power the original Prati Italia system, installed more than a decade ago. The Dante-compatible system uses a DSM-16 with three IPD-Hub 2 DSP amplifiers to connect the facility to the network. The system has evolved over the past 12 years and uses several versions of SoundTube speakers.
The outdoor terrace features 10 x 8" SM82 outdoor speakers, resistant to extreme weather conditions, 4 x IPD-Hub 2 DSP amplifiers designed for multi-room applications with passive speakers, an IPD Hub 2 audio extender and a volume remote.
Prati Italia's indoor dining room features 18 RS500i pendant speakers with BroadBeam technology and 23 CM62-BGM 6" ceiling speakers for ambient music.
Outdoor areas (except the dining room) include 3 x 5.25" SM500i outdoor speakers, resistant to extreme weather conditions, 3 x 5.25" PunkRock speakers and a 6.5" EconoRock speaker. Over the past 12 years, outdoor speakers have survived and successfully weathered several hurricanes and tropical storms.
