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JAPAN: The Expo Arena Matsuri outdoor venue at the Osaka Expo has been outfitted with Martin Audio sound systems, provided by Audiobrains and System Engineering. Serving as the largest outdoor hub at the Osaka site, the outdoor location has capacity for approximately 16,000 people and is hosting a variety of events, including international music shows, Yosakoi festivals and traditional Bon Odori dance performances.

System Engineering was responsible for designing and installing the system. Mr Goto, a member of the company’s sales team, said they had heard Martin Audio during various listening sessions, building trust with the brand. “For this expo, we needed to place importance on cost in addition to sound quality and performance, so we chose Martin Audio as our candidate because of its cost benefits,” he explained. “The acoustic simulation was also provided to us very quickly for when we proposed the system to the Expo Association.”

WPL-PU units from the Wavefront Precision line array (WPL) series serve as the main PA system for the vast arena space. These are complemented in the lower frequencies by 20 SXH218 subwoofers installed under the stage, with WPS-B-MAR cabinets deployed onstage for in fill. Side fills are covered by WPS-B-MAR units combined with SXCF118 cabinets installed on the wings of the stage. Monitoring is courtesy of XE300 loudspeakers and FP8 boxes for the FOH monitor. All speakers are powered by the iK42 DSP-equipped amplifier.

Vietnam: For dance venues the world over, one of the most coveted accolades is recognition in the prestigious DJ Magazine Top 100 clubs.

Located in the Vietnam capital of Ho Chi Minh City, POC POC Garden first featured in the list the year after Duc Pro Audio fitted a premium Martin Audio sound system, back in March 2023. Now in 2025 it has risen even higher in the rankings of the world’s most important nightclubs.

Located in the heart of District 3, and with an impressive outdoor space and premium stage, the club combines unique artistic performance with high octane dance music.

Faced with a fierce competitive tender against another leading speaker brand, Duc Pro Audio extended its long association with Martin Audio by drawing on the brand’s matchless nightclub pedigree. It has enjoyed consistent presence in superclubs ranging from Ministry of Sound to fabric—the latter recently upgraded with next generation Martin Audio sound.

“AS THE HEIGHT OF THE GLASS INTERIOR IS APPROXIMATELY 8.5 METRES AND THE CAPACITY AROUND 1,100, WE KNEW TORUS WOULD DELIVER EXTREMELY HIGH-QUALITY AUDIO,”

Duc Pro Audio product manager, Pham Duy Quang, never had any doubts that a TORUS constant curvature system would provide the definitive solution for this venue, and its owner, Mr. Chien.

“As the height of the glass interior is approximately 8.5 metres and the capacity around 1,100, we knew TORUS would deliver extremely high-quality audio,” he declared. “The speakers produce a clean sound and combine extremely well with the powerful SXCF118 subwoofer.”

The sound also had to satisfy its many incoming high profile production teams from around the world, since POC POC hosts a wide range of events—from art performances to some of the most highly renowned EDM names in the region, as well as competitive rap events. “The club also welcomes dance crews from Cuba, and has a giant water tank with daily mermaid performances and many other spectacular visuals that make use of a huge ceiling hoist system. TORUS handles it all effortlessly, and delivers an impressive performance,” says Mr. Quang.

Inspired audio design was critical to this success. Duc Pro Audio have arranged the main PA in four flown columns, hanging above the stage and DJ booth—single L/R columns flanking a centre hang of two. This centre array is made up of three T1215 and a pair of SXCF118 subs, whilethe outhangs comprise three T1215. A further four columns are suspended in front of the stage over the audience, and delayed—each comprising a pair of T1215 and a single T1230.

For front fill, eight further T1215 are placed along the front of the stage facing the audience, while the all-important sub frequency rumble is extended via eight Martin Audio SXH218, set under the stage front.

Mr. Chien is a well-known investor in Ho Chi Minh City’s nightlife, and he expressed unqualified satisfaction with TORUS. “As such, he will continue to trust Duc Pro Audio and Martin Audio in future projects,” states Pham Duy Quang confidently.

Added Martin Audio marketing director, James King, “We are proud once again to have key representation in DJ Magazine’s list of globally famous dance venues. We have a long and distinguished heritage in equipping venues and global EDM events alike with our premium sound systems. We are grateful to our partners in Vietnam for their continued faith in our world-beating solutions.”

UK: Martin Audio has joined forces with fellow Focusrite Pro brands TiMax and Linea Research, in the futuristic new Spatial Studios at London’s Tileyard. This new audio hub, one of several suites, provides a conveniently based showroom, training and R&D Centre for advanced sound designers at the fashionable Kings Cross development area.

TiMax will show off its unique spatial audio and show control capabilities by partnering with Martin Audio’s popular FlexPoint coaxial point source series, designed for shorter throw deployment such as intimate studios. The deployment includes 14 of the diminutive yet highly effective FP4, through multiples of the FP6, FP8 and FP12. Low frequencies are reproduced through four visually unobtrusive SX110 subwoofers and an SX210.

Providing the magic in this state of the art 26.4.6 TiMax suite is TiMax SoundHub. In addition, TiMax Tracker D4 is installed with an eight-sensor system, and the studio also offers opportunities to work with TiMax panLab, as well being configured as a 9.1.6 Dolby Atmos studio. Amplification is delivered via Linea Research 88C06 amplifiers with FlexPoint presets loaded.

Marketing director, James King, said, “This gives us a unique opportunity to showcase three of our flagship brands, working synergistically in an immersive environment. This combination enables designers to create, design and deploy spatial audio content. At the same time the space is available for training and education, demonstration, networking, showcases, panel discussions and much more besides.”

Exacting Diseno Technical Services Relies on Martin Audio to Deliver A Premium Sonic Ambience at Dubai’s Coco Grill & Lounge

Exacting Diseno Technical Services, helmed by Lou Agha, continues to strengthen its reputation for high-quality installations in Dubai’s luxury hospitality sector with the deployment of a premium Martin Audio sound system at Coco Grill & Lounge. Developed in partnership with regional distributor PRO LAB, the installation supports a unique concept from venue owner Naz Choudhury — a fusion of upscale Shisha Lounge and Dubai’s first Redemption Bar, offering alcohol-free sophistication with an emphasis on immersive experiences.

Coco Grill & Lounge is the Dubai extension of Choudhury’s original concept in London, which overlooks Tower Bridge. The new downtown location offers similarly spectacular views — this time of the iconic Burj Khalifa — and continues the brand’s ethos of high-end hospitality paired with rich musical atmospheres. When asked about audio preferences, Choudhury was immediately drawn to Martin Audio, having used the brand in his London venue.

Agha began the project with a demonstration at PRO LAB, showcasing various Martin Audio options including CDD models and FlexPoint systems. “We started with the small FP, and he was amazed by the sound quality,” recalled Agha. This led to a customised system design tailored for the venue’s low ceilings, mixed-use layout and live performance requirements.

UK: Martin Audio partner, Penguin Media Solutions, recently completed the third technical overhaul of pubs in the burgeoning 50-plus Laine Pub Company estate—within a short period.

Both organisations are HQ’d in Brighton, and Penguin’s Technical Project Manager Dylan Thompson says that since all three city centre pubs have their own identity and autonomy an individual approach was required when it came to specifying audio. Fortunately, Martin Audio’s extensive portfolio afforded different options.

Penguin’s latest implementation was the Black Lion, a popular music pub nestled in Brighton’s famous Lanes. The client required better traffic flow to draw its clientele towards the rear of the room—where the intensity would increase—and avoid the current pinch point at the front. “The previous design was a bit lazy, with lots of mismatched 8in boxes scattered around and a sub that wasn’t doing much. It all sounded a bit samey and thin, and we were asked to give it personality.”

Placing both the acoustic and visual focus on the DJ, Penguin designed a new cast concrete booth, equipping the compact domain with a Blackline X12 as reference monitor and powerful SX215 subwoofer on anti-vibration mounts.

Either side are now a pair of Martin Audio FlexPoint FP12s and eight Blackline X8 for general room fill. Explaining his selection Thompson said, “I didn’t want to go much smaller than that because I wanted to keep a nice warm mid-bass running through and we didn’t have many options for sub placement. I really like the whole FlexPoint range, Martin Audio have absolutely smashed that one!”

“THS IS A PERFECT BOX FOR THIS APPLICATION”.

To this he added a pair of Blackline of X210 subs—one flown to place it in the required location, and another under the banquette seating at the front—all driven by two sister brand Linea Research 88C10 amps. Sound is routed via an existing Soundweb venue matrix, with DSP handled within the Linea environment.

UAE: Lou Agha’s system integration company, Exacting Diseno Technical Services, are fast gaining a reputation for installing premium Martin Audio sound systems in some of Dubai’s smartest upmarket bars and lounges.

Working closely with territorial distributors, PRO LAB they recently equipped Coco Grill & Lounge for owner Naz Choudhury, whose unique concept is to integrate a Shisha Lounge with Dubai’s first Redemption Bar. It follows the operator’s initial launch of the Coco brand in London, overlooking Tower Bridge—and offers the same breathtaking views from its downtown location, this time of the Burj Khalifa. All operations are alcohol-free, with upscale mocktail bars.

Lou Agha had been introduced to the project via a consultant. “When the client asked what sound systems I used, he was pleased it was Martin Audio, as this was the brand he was using in London.”

Agha first arranged a demo at PRO LAB of various CDDs (up to 8in) and FlexPoint. “We started with the small FP, and he was amazed by the sound quality.” He then quoted in various configurations, recommending CDD6 for the venue’s low-ceilinged interior and 14 punchy Blackline X8 for outdoors which combines Shisha Lounge with DJ and small combo live acoustic music, with vocalists, in a non-stop entertainment package.

The unit is divided into nine separate zones—all networked on a Dante backbone. The 14 Blackline X8 are complemented by six Martin Audio SX112, while six pre-existing ADORN A55 have been refurbished and added—four on one side two on the other.

At the entrance another pair of ADORN A55 and single SX110 sub beckon customers in, and as they enter the Dome, they are greeted by six FlexPoint FP8 speakers, with four SX112 subs.

“Inside the client wanted high quality music io be extended to the toilets,” continues Lou Agha, “so we have ADORN ACS 40TS ultra-compact ceiling speakers running at 16 ohms. That way they sound really nice.”

The lounge features two non-smoking areas: one contains four CDD6 and two SX110. While the other has six CDD6 and two SX110. In Smoking Area 1, are a further four CDD6 and two SX110; Smoking Area 2 has two further CDD6 and a single SX110, and Smoking Area 3—which can also be rented for private occupancy—is equipped with four CDD6 and two SX110.”

Lou Agha says that in order not to intrude on the general aesthetic of the lounge, the subwoofers are placed discreetly. “I used the SX110 rather than the SX210 because of space constraints,” he says. “For that reason I couldn’t put the SX210 on its side, so I separated them into pairs of the SX110.” By day the venue’s background music operates off a Spotify playlist, common to both London and Dubai—programmed by one of their DJs, with a theme heavily weighted towards the popular Afro Beats. Routing and DSP are under the management of a Xilica FR1.

On Coco’s website, the venue boasts that “from 24-hour upscale dining to theatrical culinary experiences and late-night lounging, Coco redefines sophistication.” And thanks to its sophisticated sound system, delivering a high-octane musical experience, it certainly lives up to this promise.

Australia: Dating back to 1824, St. John’s Anglican church in Launceston, Tasmania is the oldest church in the city, having recently celebrated its 200th anniversary. To mark the bicentennial the church committee commissioned a major upgrade, largely to enhance speech intelligibility. GUZ BOX design + audio, headed by founder Tim Kuschel, were tasked with overseeing the acoustic and electroacoustic design works.

This was back in 2020, but hampered by COVID restrictions and a lack of data, it wasn’t until March 2021, in the post-COVID era, that the Canberra-based consultant fully realised the overwhelming number of architectural constraints he would be facing in this heritage-listed building—not least the demanding acoustics, with multiple reflections created by a 22m-high dome.

The reason intelligibility was such a concern was because a large proportion of the congregants are elderly worshippers, struggling to understand spoken word services. The existing speaker system simply did not meet the requirements, as it consisted of too many non-compatible enclosures, randomly installed as new extensions had been added over time.

But speech wasn’t the only consideration as St John’s also hosts more contemporary music for its youth services—as well as orchestral and pipe organ recitals.

After evaluation, Tim Kuschel’s upgrade solution to provide enhanced coverage in the sanctuary, platform and presentation areas, came down in favour of Martin Audio’s multi-award-winning O-Line modular micro-array set-up, with scalable resolution. “This offered the most consistent results across the seating areas,” he rationalised. “With its compact form factor, O-Line excels in houses of worship where speech intelligibility is the primary function.”

GUZ BOX had arrived at this solution only after conducting extensive acoustic measurements using EASE software, to ensure that the loudspeaker energy was focused on the main church seating areas, and that the sound would operate within the full frequency range for speech and music, setting a desired Speech Transmission Index (STI) and other key parameters.

WITH ITS COMPACT FORM FACTOR, O-LINE EXCELS IN HOUSES OF WORSHIP WHERE SPEECH INTELLIGIBILITY IS THE PRIMARY FUNCTION.

He built a model in AutoCAD, converted it into a virtual acoustic model using AFMG’s EASE version 5 and correlated the physical measurements with the EASE model. He also worked closely with Cumulus Studio by proposing an extensive acoustic works treatment programme, including ceiling absorbers and wall treatments.

Working closely with Martin Audio distributor Technical Audio Group (TAG), he detailed two hangs of 16 Martin Audio O-Line elements.