The enviable top spot went to New York's Cielo Club, which boasts a Funktion-One system. And this was no one-off for the British loudspeaker manufacturer, which also took position number three (Beta, Denver), six (Q, Seattle), eight (Mansion 360, Miami) and number 10 (Smart Bar, Chicago) - quite an achievement when you consider the thousands of nightclubs, theatres and bars dotted around the country.
Recognition from Beatport caps a successful period for Sound Investment Audio, which specified and installed the five Funktion-One systems. The company, which has exclusive Funktion-One distribution in the States, continues to build its reputation for giving cutting-edge audio solutions to high-end venues. In 2012, Sound Investment Audio brought Funktion-One sound to a legion of new customers, adding to a growing list of premium venues, says the company.
Cielo opened in 2003 and became the first venue in North America to be installed with a Funktion-One sound system, giving it a special place in the speaker manufacturer's history. It is a state-of-the-art space, located in New York's ultra-chic Meat Packing District, which provides a music program tailored to electronic music.
The venue's owners have adopted a back to basics ethos, with clear priorities. "The best DJs, a strong door, impeccable service, stunning décor and lighting, and a world-renowned sound system by legendary UK sound system pioneers, Funktion-One, which will blow the most fastidious audiophile's socks off."
Following a recent upgrade, that system now comprises four Funktion-One AX88 skeletal loudspeakers. These twin mid-high axhead horns produce high output from a compact size and operate upwards of 180Hz. Two new Funktion-One F315 speakers supply the mid-bass frequencies and four Funktion-One BR218 enclosures deliver deep, smooth, clean bass. Two Funktion-One Resolution 2 speakers and a Funktion-One Minibass 212 provide near field monitoring for the DJ booth. While in-fill comes from four highly versatile Funktion-One AX88 speakers.
The system is powered by MC2 T2000, MC2 T1500, MC2 T1000 and MC2 E90 amplifiers, while control comes from an XTA/Funktion-One audio management system.
Cielo has been a reference point for audio experts all over the world for almost a decade. And Tony Andrews believes that's with good reason: "Nicolas Matar is a shining example of a switched-on club owner. Right from the beginning of Cielo, he has known that it is all about audio quality and made sure of it by combining a well acoustically treated room with Funktion-One loudspeakers."
Sound Investment Audio's co-founder, Dan Agne, reflects: "To be responsible for five of the top 10 sound systems in such a huge territory is mind-blowing. We're extremely proud. Without a doubt, we've received the most compliments from the sound system at Cielo. The perfect placement of components, first class DJs who know what they're doing every night, the acoustic treatment, and the owner's obsession with sound quality results in an experience that moves your soul - fairly unusual in this day and age."
(Claire Beeson)
