Club Med Sandpiper's 400-square-mile resort property exists in southern Florida's sweltering climate, requiring durable outdoor audio systems that can withstand the year-round heat, humidity and moisture. The resort also required high-quality loudspeakers that could power full-range, high-volume audio over long distances, and reproduce soothing background music at clearly audible levels.
"I've learned what gear can survive in harsh environments over the years, and from all the outdoor installations I have done, only one company reliably endures the elements - and that is Technomad," said Olivier De Kegel, owner and president of Axxentos. "They also produce great sounding audio."
The external pool system proved the biggest challenge as De Kegel had little guidance from the resort, other than that management wanted a nice-sounding background music system during the afternoon and a louder system in the evenings. He installed two Technomad Berlin loudspeakers, the largest loudspeaker in the company's range, to handle both requests with one system. The Berlins accommodate every activity from Bingo to full-blown nightclub-style events.
Axxentos installed a 70-volt infrastructure to accommodate long cable runs from a new central audio headend to various areas, including the bar. Ten Technomad Vernal 70-volt loudspeakers power the bar zone, delivering music and entertainment to guests enjoying daytime activities and the nightlife.
Two Technomad Noho loudspeakers also welcome guests with high-energy music audio at the entrance as they check in, with lower-volume background music playing in between arrivals.
"The resort wanted a system they could easily manipulate at the welcome area to balance loud and soft audio, and the Nohos offer power that is closer to the Berlin but compact enough for installation at the entrance," said de Kegel.
Elsewhere, Axxentos installed AV systems in new conference rooms, built a mobile DJ unit and renovated a large theatre system, merging existing equipment with some new components.
(Jim Evans)
*Pic Sandpiper
