Katowice clubs boast new KV2 systems
- Details
Both venues have been equipped with comprehensive KV2 sound systems - the first KV2 systems to go into clubs in Poland - designed and installed by Wise Clubs and supplied by KV2’s polish distributor, Arcade Audio.
P23 has a true post-industrial feel with its natural brick walls, steel girders and lofty ceilings. One of the city’s premier live music venues, P23 plays host to a variety of events, from acoustic concerts through to rock music and – perhaps the genre for which it is best known – techno. The biggest names in techno and electronic music have all played P23 in recent years.
The venue has recently upgraded its sound system to a full front-to-back KV2 solution based on the SL412 full range wide dispersion system plus a pair of SL2.15 subwoofers and two VHD2.21 ultra-low frequency subwoofers per side. Four ESD 12s and two ESD 15s act as front-fill and balcony delays. On stage two EX12s accompanied by two EX1.8 subwoofers provide a monitor system, which may also be used as a stand-alone sound system for separate events.
CEL, on the other hand, is a venue dedicated strictly to clubbing – techno, house, electro, drum & bass; the cream of the Polish club scene and numerous European artists play here. Wise opted for KV2’s classic ES system comprising a pair of ES1.0 mid/high speakers supplemented by four ES1.8 single 18-inch subwoofers, with power and control supplied by two EPAK2500/R units.
Michal Piwowar co-owns and manages both venues. He explains that for P23 they were looking for a system that would provide high quality sound and even coverage throughout the venue – which he admits is not an easy task due to its unusual shape. They also wanted something that would fit the austere aesthetics of the club, and yet keep acoustic treatment work to a minimum.
“We tested many systems and played concerts and events on several different rental setups, but it was the KV2 system that sounded truly exceptional,” says Piwowar. “It delivers across the full spectrum of sound – attacking in the middle, massaging the bottom end and penetrating the highs.
“We’ve had the opportunity to use the KV2 on many events now,” he continues. “It works well for everything, from intimate solo events to a full house with black metal bands and all-night techno events. The feedback has been unequivocal, and in line with ours.”
When it comes to CEL club, Piwowar explains that the requirements were slightly different in that it is a pure underground techno/electro venue. “Our clients demand a lot, so we needed an efficient, maintenance-free system to cover the long, narrow space that is our main dance floor,” he describes. “That’s why we opted for KV2 again.”
Daniel Klasa is the chief audio specialist at Wise Clubs and was involved in both of these pioneering projects. “We are a company that is constantly looking for new solutions in the pro AV world,” he says. “After many conversations with Alex Pagliani, sales director at KV2 Audio, we were able to visit the factory in the Czech Republic to hear about their various solutions.”
