A two-storey Levantine themed bar restaurant has been set up in Washington DC’s Union Market District by award-winning, Michelin-starred restaurateur, Michael Rafidi.

On the ground floor is Yellow Café, the second location in an already successful bakery concept, and this has now been joined by the vibrant La’ Shukran restaurant. Both areas have been equipped from top to bottom, along with the outside rooftop patio and back stairs alley, linking the two venues, by the recently formed Beltway Audio Group. This is a merger between two young audio entrepreneurs, Doug Cyr of Precision Event Rentals, and his friend Brady Rall—both known in the region as engineers for large local sound systems, largely at raves and warehouse parties.

Rall was first introduced to Martin Audio over a decade ago at Washington DC’s once-beloved underground music venue, U Street Music Hall,while Precision Event Rentals had more recently run Martin Audio systems at events and festivals. “Their faith in the brand was further underpinned earlier this year when seeking potential powered speakers for their rental inventory. “We realised the Blackline range now came in active form and just started buying them in multiples, largely because of the price point and quality of the sound,” said Rall.

The connection with the La’ Shukran project was made after Brady Rall had been providing tech support and operating a DJ programme for Unordinary Inc, a high-concept cocktail and restaurant bar group run by Radovan Jankovic and Marko Bogdanovic. It was they who partnered with Michael Rafidi. “So back in March 2024 they invited us to design and install this new project they were working on.”

The fact that it was in a dilapidated warehouse area of DC that was being transformed into a more upscale neighbourhood attracted them. Cyr and Rall led the project, designing the space into four zones. The ground floor, the stylish Yellow, is based on eight Martin Audio ADORN A55, with flown SX210 (2×10) and SX212 (2×12) providing low end extension. Upstairs La’ Shukran required a more powerful approach with four CDD12 and an SX212 sub, with eight further ADORN A55. Here the sound system, described as “incredible” by the installer, plays out everything from Arabic rock and hip hop and Levantine funk to more cool Mediterranean vibes.

The latest roll-out of the Rock & Brews American bar/diner concept, specializing in classic rock, has opened at the Potawatomi Casino Hotel in Carter—the premier gaming and entertainment destination in northern Wisconsin. This follows its success at the nearby Casino Hotel, Milwaukee, where the Potawatomi Tribe first embraced the concept a year earlier.

Both operations feature a heavy deployment of Martin Audio products, installed by Green Bay-based partner, CCCP (Camera Corner). At both sites they were sub-contracted to carry out the installation by principal contractors, Dublin-based Audiotek, who supplied the visual media.

CCCP has a long-standing relationship as AV providers to the Forest County Potawatomi Tribe. CCCP project designer, Scott Tomashek, said the client had been keen to maintain consistency with Martin Audio having been impressed with its performance in Milwaukee, where it had been specified by Audiotek. So successful was the Rock & Brews concept there, that the operators duly decided to convert the restaurant at their Carter site.

“We were pleased to see that a lot of Martin Audio equipment had already been specified by Audiotek, as we have been partners with them for a number of years. Everyone was happy to be working again with a brand with which we were already familiar, and trusted.”

At Potawatomi CasinoHotelCarter, CCCP once again worked closely with architects, I-5 Design. But faced with a smaller 3,000sq. ft. footprint than Milwaukee, with a reduced stage and restricted ceiling height, a change of approach was required. CCCP turned to an alternative flown system other than TORUS which had served them so well in Milwaukee. “FlexPoint became the obvious solution,” Tomashek explained, “and it worked out really well.”

The primary system is the largest FP15—a single box flown left and right with the two subs set adjacent in the center. “This is a relatively compact box that still has plenty of output. And because we had to fly subs directly in front of the stage area, the ability to use the SXC115 cardioid versions meant we could keep some of that low frequency energy off the stage area.”

A pair of FP8 are located on either side of the two large Taylor videowalls. Five additional FP6 and the final pair of FP8 point out from the Rock & Brews restaurant into the main casino area on a delay ring, to attract customers in. “The coverage is excellent,” the installer confirms.

The entire set up is powered by Martin Audio iKON DSP amplifiers; a pair of iK42 are assigned to the main FP15 rig, the SXC115 sub and FP6 fills, while an iK81 powers all six FP8, one per channel.

Located in downtown Akureyri, Hof Cultural Center is at the heart of the northern Icelandic music and performing arts scene, and provides visitor services across the entire north-east corner of the country. Architecturally, the circular building also provides one of the town’s great landmarks. Inspired by the Icelandic igneous rocks, Hof Cultural Center attracts tourists all year round.

Owned by the Municipality of Akureyri, and with operation of the Center in the hands of Akureyri Culture Company, one of the key features is its new Martin Audio sound reinforcement upgrade in the main auditorium, provided by Reykjavik-based Atendi—the manufacturer’s territory distributor.

According to Atendi project manager, Gunnar Gunnarson his company bid successfully on a public tender put out in December 2023 and were duly awarded the contract in September this year.

The requirement was for a system to replace the original sound system, which had been in situ since the venue’s original opening back in 2010. It needed to provide even coverage for the 509-seat auditorium and deliver 103dB(A) with 18dB headroom, and a differential in SPL not exceeding ±3dB at any seat from FOH. This was achieved by specifying Martin Audio’s scalable WPS line array. ”We managed 104.6dB(A) @FOH without going to the limit of the system and +3dB / -0,7dB measured at the venue’s seats,” Gunnarson reports.

It’s amazing what Martin Audio was able to offer for the price.

The system also needed to be supremely versatile, not only providing reinforcement for concerts of all types—as well as conferences and theatre performances—but also be mindful that the venue is home to the North Icelandic Symphony Orchestra, when it is then used for concerts with Icelandic artists ranging from classical concerts to dance music.

The system design was a cooperation between Atendi and Martin Audio, while Atendi undertook the installation, with assistance from local subcontractors and Martin Audio product support engineer, Ben Tucker. He assisted with predictions, visualization, programming and tuning of the system.

Tucker confirmed that the venue acoustics were perfect. “I always start by keeping the Hard Avoid on stage, and having a listen before moving it. After a walkaround and a bit of tuning, I found no reason to move it from the stage.”

Gunnar Gunnarson admits the project was not without challenges, largely due to limited space, since the stage is heavily populated by equipment, surrounding it on all sides. “We were able to use existing hanging points for the main PA and at the same time create additional points for the subs.

The components themselves comprised Left/Right hangs of 10 WPS, with a pair of SXCF118 subs flown behind each main hang, which provided excellent sub coverage throughout. Providing front fills around the stage lip were eight FlexPoint FP4. The system was driven by three Martin Audio iKON iK81 multichannel, process-controlled amps and an iK42.

Stated Akureyri Culture Company technician, Árni F. Sigurðsson, “The tender documents were quite demanding, and we had high expectations for this installation. These were fulfilled as the new system is a game changer with regard to both headroom and sound coverage. I can confidently say that we have the most evenly distributed sound coverage of any of the bigger venues in Iceland and I’m looking forward to receiving feedback from guest engineers. We stage everything from opera, musical theatre, conference and corporate shows to rock, dance music and metal. Having sufficient headroom to present all of these genres will truly set a new standard for the venue.

“First impressions are very promising and Ben Tucker, who designed and tuned the system did an incredible job. It’s amazing what Martin Audio was able to offer for the price.”

Aside from giving Martin Audio another highly prestigious installation of its class-leading Wavefront Precision series, it also has the honor of being its northernmost location—located less than 100 kilometers from the Arctic Circle.

Martin Audio is revving up the excitement at ISE this year with The FlexPoint Pitstop Challenge, a competition to test your speed and skill in rotating the driver on its flagship FlexPoint loudspeaker, the FP8. The contestant with the fastest time recorded over the four-day event will be crowned the ultimate speed champion,and receive a prize package valued at £10,000, including 2x FP8, 2x SX112 and 1x iKON iK41.

The FlexPoint series is celebrated for its groundbreaking acoustic design, cutting-edge technical innovation and exceptional versatility, making it the go-to solution for premium installations and live sound applications.

Each model in the range—aside from the ultra-compact FP4—features a multi-angle enclosure that allows seamless orientation in either portrait or landscape mode. Thanks to Martin Audio’s proprietary quick-release grille latches and captive release clamps, the FlexPoint driver can be effortlessly rotated 90° by hand, without any tools.

We can’t wait to see who will showcase their skills and be crowned champion.

This ingenious design ensures quick adjustments in the field, a feature Martin Audio is showcasing with The FlexPoint Pitstop Challenge.

Participants will race against the clock to complete the driver rotation process, with a live leader board displayed at the Martin Audio booth. The competition promises not only bragging rights but also a chance to claim the £10,000 prize.

James King, Marketing Director at Martin Audio, shared his enthusiasm: “Of course, we’re thrilled to be launching new products and hosting our ever-popular audio demos at ISE. But this year, we also wanted to bring some unadulterated fun to the show. FlexPoint has been a resounding success with system integrators and live sound professionals, thanks to its exceptional performance and unparalleled flexibility. We can’t wait to see who will showcase their skills and be crowned champion.”

The FlexPoint Pitstop Challenge is open to all ISE attendees, so stop by Stand A300 at the front of Hall 7 and put your speed and precision to the test. Will you be the one to take the chequered flag?

Watch video here:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yg2hYVV9Mbw

For more on Martin Audio at ISE:https://martin-audio.com/events/ise2025

Recently, Wuping No. 1 High School held its 100th anniversary celebration. Over the past century, the school has adhered to the educational philosophy of “moral cultivation and all-round development,” inspired by the spirit of Azalea Mountain. Its mission focuses on “laying the foundation for students’ comprehensive and lifelong development,” with the motto of “honesty, perseverance, and trust” and an emphasis on “technological innovation education.” The school has established a strong academic and cultural environment, producing more than 50,000 graduates, including many leaders in governance, academia, and industry.