Malta - Two of the country's most distinctive dining establishments have elevated their culinary experiences with the installation of L-Acoustics professional sound systems. LOA, a South American-inspired seaside venue in St. Paul's Bay, and Aki, an Asian fusion restaurant in Valletta, now boast audio environments that complement their atmospheres and cuisine.
LOA, nestled near the historic Wignacourt Tower, draws inspiration from the ancient Río Loa River and Loa goddesses. This bright seaside venue offers a culinary journey through Argentina, Chile, Peru, and Mexico, blending exquisite flavours with Mediterranean charm. Aki, situated in Malta's capital city, presents a modern twist on Asian cuisine in a sleek, stylish setting.
Both venues required audio solutions to enhance their distinct characteristics and accommodate their transition from background music during dining hours to energetic DJ performances in the evening. The DB Group, owners of both restaurants, sought a versatile, high-quality sound system to meet these varying needs while enhancing the overall ambiance without overpowering the dining experience.
To achieve this vision, DB Group partnered with Black Box, L-Acoustics system integrator partner in Malta since 2017. After an impressive demonstration at the Black Box showroom, where the dynamic range and sound quality of L-Acoustics systems stood out even at low volumes, the project moved forward. The project presented challenges, including the need for multi-zone setups to accommodate different music levels throughout the restaurants and the requirement for high-quality sound reproduction at both low and high volumes.
David Zammit, technical and sales director at Black Box, led the project, leveraging his expertise and using L-Acoustics Soundvision software to precisely model the acoustic environments of both restaurants. His designs ensured optimal speaker placement and coverage to give every guest, regardless of their location, or time of day, an exceptional experience.
The installation at LOA features a combination of 34 5XT coaxial enclosures and 10 SB15M subwoofers, providing balanced coverage both indoors and outdoors in the restaurant and lounge.
Aki's system includes six X4i and 12 5XT coaxial enclosures, six X8 coaxial point source speakers, and four SB15M subwoofers, strategically placed to cater to different areas of the restaurant, bar, lounge and private dining room.
The venues are powered by six LA4X and four LA2Xi amplified controllers respectively, with LOA also utilising an LA12X for additional power and control. The L-Acoustics systems have received overwhelmingly positive feedback from both the restaurant owners and patrons. The ability to maintain clarity and dynamic range even at low volumes has been particularly praised for enhancing the dining experience without overpowering conversations.
"Working with L-Acoustics products allows us to deliver audio experiences that truly complement the atmosphere these restaurants have carefully created,” says Zammit. “The dynamic range and sound quality of L-Acoustics systems, even at low volumes, set them apart from other brands in the industry."
