Sound Division designs
A-list Audio for Zeta Bar
Harman Pro UK has recently collaborated with
Sound Division to provide a host of Harman products
for the new sound system in the exclusive Zeta
Bar at the Hilton Park Lane Hotel.
The popular venue is on London’s ultra
trendy bar circuit for the world’s glitterati.
Host to countless A-listers, London’s socialites
and VIPs of all descriptions, the Zeta Bar’s
flowing new Feng Shui orientated interior design
needed a sound system to match the elegance and
chic of the environment.
Sound Division was approached by manager John
Darling to create a new sound design when the
Zeta Bar underwent a recent refurbishment that
included ripping out the old audio system. A keen
JBL user, Sound Division’s David Graham
states that this was his “obvious”
choice for speakers, and also specified BSS control,
Crown amplification and an AKG radio mic system
to complete the installation.
Graham worked in close consultation with Harman
Pro UK’s Andy Duffield on the project, and
the pair pooled their extensive knowledge of sound
design for high profile nightspots to produce
the best and most appropriate audio for the Zeta
Bar. The positive sonic results have been immediately
noticed and commented on by clients, visitors
and staff.
The main bar area is a long narrow room, which
opens out at one end into a series of smaller
more intimate screened off seated areas, with
a cosy dancefloor off to one side, complete with
DJ set up. It’s contemporarily decorated
and furnished in tasteful, understated and calm
hues, and it was important that the aesthetics
of any visible speakers matched this vibe, so
discrete white JBL’s were used throughout.
Sound was designed to fill each area with the
most uniform coverage.
Two JBL Control 29AV and five Control 28 enclosures
are used in the main lounge. The dance floor utilizes
four ceiling mounted Control 29 AVs to ramp up
the party atmosphere. The reception and DJ booth
area features two Control 28s, and the chill out
area to the left of the reception features another
two Control 28s. Cocoon, the Zeta’s small
exclusive VIP lounge is fitted with discreet Control
25AV speakers.
New Crown XLS402 and XL500 amplifiers were installed,
chosen, according to Graham as a “Proven
industry standard installation product”.
The system was set up and EQ’d using a BSS
Soundweb ‘Jellyfish’ controller.
The DJ booth utilises an AKG WMS400 Diversity
hand-held radio mic system, one of the easiest
to use and most flexible on the market.
Before the Zeta Bar’s re-launch, the whole
system was commissioned, tuned and optimised by
Harman Pro UK’s acoustician Tom Williams,
ready for its first event, a movie premier after-party.
David Graham comments, “Once again, it
was great working with the Harman team and their
products to create a fabulous sound and a streamlined
and integrated design and installation solution.”
Harman’s Andy Duffield adds, “Our
first aim is to provide installers and their clients
a great choice without compromise on technical
specifications or quality. This also allows us
to fully support a system which is Harman Pro
integrated. The Zeta Bar exemplifies the first
class achievements that our unified brands can
provide in the hands of an experienced installer
like Sound Division.”
December
2004 |
