Top 10 AV Mistakes Coworking Spaces Make in Scottsdale
By Pro AV Services NYC — a KLAV Group Company
Scottsdale's coworking scene is booming, and members expect flawless audio, video, and conferencing the moment they sit down. Unfortunately, most operators learn the hard way that AV is not a DIY weekend project. After 1,000+ events and installations across MSG, Barclays, UBS Arena, and corporate clients like Facebook and Ogilvy, KLAV Group has identified the ten most common — and most costly — mistakes coworking operators make.
1. Wrong Speaker Placement
Speakers crammed into corners create dead zones and hot spots. Members in the back hear nothing while front-row guests get blasted.
Solution: Use a distributed ceiling system with proper coverage modeling so every seat gets even, intelligible sound.
2. Skipping Acoustic Treatment
Polished concrete floors and glass walls look stunning on Instagram but turn meeting rooms into echo chambers. Zoom calls become unintelligible.
Solution: Add absorption panels, ceiling clouds, and bass traps tuned to the room's RT60 measurements.
3. Buying Consumer Gear Instead of Commercial
That Best Buy soundbar will fail within months under daily commercial use. Consumer warranties exclude business environments.
Solution: Invest in commercial-grade brands like QSC, Shure, Crestron, and Biamp — built for 24/7 duty cycles.
4. Not Planning for Expansion
Most operators wire only for today's footprint. Six months later, adding a podcast booth or second floor means tearing open walls.
Solution: Install structured cabling, conduit pathways, and a Dante or AVB network backbone designed for 3x growth.
5. Ignoring Lighting Design
Harsh overhead fluorescents wash out faces on video calls and kill the premium feel members are paying for.
Solution: Layer ambient, task, and accent lighting on DMX or 0-10V dimming with color-correct LEDs (90+ CRI).
6. DIY Installation Failures
Handymen and general contractors do not understand impedance matching, signal flow, or proper grounding. The result: hum, dropouts, and blown amplifiers.
Solution: Hire licensed, insured AV integrators with CTS-certified technicians.
7. No Maintenance Plan
AV systems are like cars — they need scheduled service. Firmware updates, lamp replacements, and cable inspections prevent emergency downtime.
Solution: Lock in a quarterly preventive maintenance contract with remote monitoring and SLA-backed response times.
8. Wrong Equipment for Space Size
Operators routinely under-power 5,000 sq ft event spaces with home-theater receivers, or over-spec tiny phone booths with 12-mic ceiling arrays.
Solution: Get a professional load calculation and coverage map before purchasing a single component.
9. Ignoring Scottsdale Noise Ordinances
Scottsdale enforces strict commercial noise limits (Code 18-201), especially in mixed-use buildings near Old Town and Optima neighborhoods. Violations bring fines and angry tenants.
Solution: Specify SPL-limiter DSPs, time-of-day presets, and isolated subwoofer mounting to stay compliant 24/7.
10. Not Hiring Professionals
The biggest mistake of all — trusting a friend or the lowest-bid contractor. Rework typically costs 3-5x the original budget.
Solution: Engage a turnkey AV integrator from day one of architectural planning.
Get a Free AV Assessment from KLAV Group
Pro AV Services NYC, a KLAV Group company, designs and installs world-class AV systems for coworking spaces, hotels, and event venues nationwide. Our portfolio includes Madison Square Garden, Hillsong NYC, Marriott, and Webster Hall.
Schedule your complimentary on-site assessment today. Call 646-280-9522 or email ozzy@klavgroup.com. Visit klavgroup.com to view our full project gallery.