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 audio system, originally installed in January 2013, now required an audio system upgrade. The new upscale audio system was designed to perfectly complement the haute design and extraordinary culinary experience that Prati Italia offers.
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 over 12 years old, was failing and no longer meeting 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 existing audio equipment. The main challenge was integrating the new Dante-enabled system with the existing legacy amplifiers. The team overcame this by creating a hybrid system that allows for gradual upgrades as older equipment fails over time.
The DSM-16 Dante System Manager 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 in different spaces using tablets or wall-mounted controls. The system’s scalability was demonstrated when audio was added to the outdoor deck area. Additionally, the remote management capability allows for control and troubleshooting without the need for on-site technical support.
Jerry 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 provided by the DSM-16 and SoundTube’s pendant, ceiling, surface wall mount, and outdoor speakers.
Building on the success of this installation, Prati Italia is already planning to implement a similar DSM-16 based system in their upcoming restaurant project, scheduled to open early in 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 Dante System Manager 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 Prati Italia’s owners expand their company with a new concept, the SoundTube system will play a crucial role in maintaining a high-quality audio experience for its patrons while remaining user-friendly for the restaurant staff.
Prati Italia equipment list:
Legacy Crown and Ashley amplifiers power the original system at Prati Italia that was installed over a decade ago. The Dante-enabled system uses one DSM-16 with 3 IPD-Hub 2 DSP amplifiers to bring the property to the network. The system has evolved over the past 12 years and uses several versions of SoundTube speakers.
The outdoor deck uses 10 SM82 8” outdoor extreme weather surface mount speakers, 4 IPD-Hub 2 DSP amplifiers designed for multi-room applications using passive speakers, one IPD Hub 2 audio extender box, and a remote volume control.
The interior dining areas of Prati Italia use 18 RS500i pendant speakers with BroadBeam technology and 23 CM62-BGM 6” in-ceiling speakers for background music.
The outdoor areas (non-dining) include 3 SM500i 5.25” extreme weather outdoor surface mount speakers, 3 PunkRock 5.25” outdoor rock speakers and an EconoRock 6.5” outdoor rock speaker. Over the past 12 years, the outdoor speakers have survived and thrived through several hurricanes and tropical storms.
Photo credit: Prati Italia
SoundTube Entertainment. Ingenious. By Design.
SoundTube Entertainment is at the forefront of end-to-end Dante-enabled audio systems for everyday applications. SoundTube’s goal is to provide a simple, cost-effective path to advanced audio networking without the typical complexity. SoundTube offers the world’s broadest assortment of IP-enabled PoE speakers, along with a full range of Dante-enabled components. Our hallmarks are easy programming and operation without specialized training; affordability for everyday applications such as restaurants, retail, and residential spaces; and centralized monitoring and control of all Dante-enabled components.
With over 30 years of innovation in commercial and residential audio, SoundTube continues to pioneer industry-standard categories like pendant speakers and 360° sound. As one of the few vertically integrated U.S. speaker manufacturers, SoundTube ensures quality control from voice coil winding to finished systems at its facilities in Kansas and Florida.
