Bedford-based Kazbar Systems were contracted to install the sound system for The Jetty Restaurant & Bar, corridors, reception and outside terraces in this spa hotel, which is built into the side of a cliff.
The hotel management wanted a sound system which delivered a full range sound throughout these areas, where the music would be clear at low levels, when delivered through their customer-profiled MP3 player, but equally have the ability to pump out high volume levels from the DJ mixer when required for functions and events later into the evening.
To fulfil this, Kazbar opted for a mix of seven Martin Audio AQ6 and six AQ8's - for the lounges and bar respectively - along with six AQ112 subwoofers (two in each of the paces).
The AQ Series is an integrated ultra-compact, full range package, designed to be architecturally unobtrusive, and therefore perfect for applications such as this.
Explained Kazbar's Gavin Miller, "Since the large, open restaurant area is surrounded by a sweeping glass frontage, looking out towards the Salcombe Estuary, we had to be sensitive to the aesthetics, taking into account the limitations of sound reflection from such a large amount of glass. Therefore we opted for Martin Audio C6.8T Ceiling Speakers, evenly distributed across the restaurant ceiling space."
The loudspeakers are fed from the BSS Soundweb BLU-100 DS, located in the DJ booth in the bar area, from where the all the sound zones are controlled. The booth also houses the amplification, including four Martin Audio MA2.8Q, which power all the full range boxes.
Summing up, Gavin Miller said, "The customers know the importance of good sound and wanted high quality audio, with correct sound distribution. Different levels have been preset in Soundweb so that it delivers warmth and transparency, whether as background music during the day or from the Pioneer CDJ's on the weekends. I know they are delighted with the results."
(Jim Evans)
