Author: ContentAdmin

MALTA – Known for being one of Malta’s most popular nightlife hubs, the Paceville area of St. Julians comes alive after dark. And at the centre of the action for many years has been the Nordic Bar, a destination nightclub / sports bar, with a preference for exotic cocktails and superior sound.

Over two decades, Martin Audio partner Futuretech has twice updated its previous sound system installations with more contemporary iterations. However, this latest upgrade is probably the most significant as it features the British manufacturer’s brand new BlacklineQ series.

Futuretech MD Stefan Farrugia was at the front of the pack when it came to unveiling this reimagining of Blackline — a vastly improved version of this iconic series, with its all-new column speakers and a suite of subwoofers.

At the Nordic Bar, the speakers are distributed through five different zones. Aside from the kudos of being BlacklineQ’s first specifier, Farrugia believes the series offers excellent value for money and high quality. “It demonstrateda huge upgrade in quality and headroom, delivering good power without any fatigue,” he said. The system is also equally adept at handling lower-level background music during the day as it is with high-octane DJ-produced music after dark.

In the DJ area (Zone 1) Futuretech have mounted a pair each of Q12 and Q118 subs, with a pair of Q12 DJ monitors (in Zone 2). Four Q12 and pair of Q218 subs provide the sound on the main dancefloor (Zone 3), a further pair of Q10 are found in the Lounge Area (Zone 4), and finally a pair of Q10 provide playback out on the Terrace (Zone 5).

Futuretech also installed a new cable infrastructure and an updated lighting package, and overcame numerous challenges, including a low ceiling, and difficult room set-ups.

Nevertheless the client, Alan Mizzi, is delighted with the fit-out. “The new Martin Audio BlacklineQ system sounds great — without needing to overstretch it — and our clientele are really enjoying the quality of the sound,” he said.

CHN – The “2025 Super Starlight Show” featuring well-known artists including Zhang Xinjie (Jeff Chang), took place at the Fuling Olympic Sports Center in Chongqing in December 2025. The event drew a full stadium and demanded a high-performance audio setup to deliver a consistent and immersive sound experience across the venue.

Rental company Leying Audio, supported by Martin Audio’s Chinese distributor Guangzhou Guidance, deployed a full Martin Audio solution comprising 32 x WPL and 32 x W8L Longbow line array speakers, driven by Martin Audio’s iK42 amplifiers. The system was designed and optimized using Martin Audio’s DISPLAY™ software to ensure even coverage across the whole stadium.

Leying Audio were using the WPL system for the third time and so are familiar with the setup and how to tune the system to make it easier for the FOH engineer to get the most of the system.  Their technical team executed the setup with precision, handling both the rigging and system tuning.  Guangzhou Guidance provided expert support, including system planning and configuration. The result was a powerful and balanced sound experience that allowed every detail of the performance to reach the audience clearly and consistently.

Jeremiah Joseph from Martin Audio’s Asia team, was onsite to support the setup and tuning of the system.  “We used the DISPLAY software to define the audience area, and to ensure every seat in the house had the same experience.  During load in we had a last minute change to the set design which meant the arrays could not be flown to their pre-designed height.  A quick change in the DISPLAY software to re-optimize the system meant we could still achieve the same performance with ease.”

The system performed flawlessly throughout the show. The audience enjoyed rich low-end, clear mids, and natural-sounding vocals. Performances from artists such as Zhang Xinjie, Ye Shih-Yung, and others were well supported by the audio system, making it a memorable night for all attendees.

This project highlighted the strength of the partnership between Leying Audio and Guangzhou Guidance, showcasing Martin Audio’s ability to meet the demands of high-profile, large-scale events in China.

UAE – AV integrators, Exacting Diseno Technical Services, once again found the Martin Audio loudspeaker portfolio to be perfect for their needs, when asked to specify a sound system for Dubai’s new luxurious French brasserie, La Colline, situated at the Al Habtoor Polo Resort.

The Martin Audio partner was awarded the contract, based on recommendation, after having successfully delivered other projects for the clients previously.

The operation required mainly superior background music reproduction to be delivered, and Exacting Diseno instinctively turned to Martin Audio’s CDD6 as they have in the past. By deploying coaxial differential dispersion technology, they knew this would also be ideal for occasions when live music or more strident DJ playback was required.

The integrators based the system design around two indoor zones with three areas outdoors with separate subwoofer volume control. The fit-out comprised three CDD6 and an SX210 subwoofer in the Bar area, and four CDD6 and pair or SX110 in the separate main zone. Outside sees a further 11 CDD6 deployed, along with four SX112. All CDDs were wall-mounted, and the subs concealed under the seating.

Exacting Diseno founder Lou Agha said the choice of CDD6 this time had been based around “size, sound quality and colour options.” He had persuaded the client to adopt white versions, which he said had been the correct decision, bearing in mind the overall interior aesthetic.

The installation was supported by Martin Audio’s territorial distributor, PRO LAB.

Commenting on the installation, the client said, “The concept was developed by a passionate team led by Alain El Tawil, blending French culinary tradition with a relaxed, elegant atmosphere.We were extremely impressed by the sound quality.”

THAILAND – Since opening for business in late 2023, Emsphere seemingly has it all. Between the Gourmet market in the lower levels to the prominent EM Live and Tribe venues on the rooftop, leading retailers have made it their home in between. Adding diversity to this rich mix on level four, Cubic is marketing itself as Bangkok’s best and only social and high-performance club. The installed Martin Audio loudspeaker system demonstrates why Cubic is no gymnasium.

“At Cubic, we evolve limits, break boundaries and build a fitness community that thrives on sweat, results and fun,” explained managing director Omaar Makia, adding that the Emsphere site is the third addition to the Cubic network in Bangkok. “The concept of Cubic breaks away from that of a normal gym where individuals train by themselves. Here, we host activities with others or with a personal trainer. We want our members to spend more time here, by socialising, working, recovering, taking in nutrition and having physiotherapy.”

AUS – A major makeover of a popular Sydney-based 80s retro venue in the city’s Central Business District has resulted in a completely reimagined multi-concept venue, called The Bristol.

Owned and operated by burgeoning leisure hospitality company, Oscars Group, the historic former Bristol Arms Hotel trades on five storeys, each with its own theme, including restaurants, bars, a nightclub, rooftop and event spaces, after being closed for the previous four years.

Retaining much of its nightclub roots, the potent Calypso nightclub — its ceiling adorned with 300 mirrorballs — has been equipped with Martin Audio’s CDD coaxial differential dispersion series. In fact, CDDs provide the audio playback solution from the ground up, with more than 60 enclosures right across the series visible throughout — purpose mounted in their dedicated yoke assemblies and maximised for wide dispersion.

Anthony Russo, Technical Director of Technical Audio Group (TAG), Martin Audio’s Australian distributor, worked alongside system integrators Pro Sound and Lighting (Wollongong) to deliver this Martin Audio deployment, on the express wishes of the client (for whom TAG had previously supplied the brand at previous operations).

WITH THE NEW MARTIN AUDIO SYSTEM, GUESTS WILL ENJOY A RICHER, MORE IMMERSIVE SOUND EXPERIENCE

CDD makes its biggest statement in Calypso, equipped with soft furnishing, and with a carpet extending across the dancefloor, giving it a classy New York club feel. The main room features six CDD15 distributed around the dancefloor in an immersive configuration, with a pair of SX118s under the booth and further pair for delay.

“CDD’s wide dispersion really lent itself to the low ceiling, and its throw onto the dancefloor,” continues Russo. “Being coaxial it is a true point source, whether on or off axis, with great time alignment.” Each booth seating is also served by its own CDD10, while a separate annexe can either function as a separate breakout room, equipped with CDD10 and SX212 subwoofers, or as an annexe to the main room.

Such is the cachet that the venue has acquired in little time, that it has already hosted an appearance by Groove Armada who played a DJ set in the Calypso lounge.

Elsewhere, up in the Rooftop, where the popular Sunday sessions overlook the harbour, the doors are opened up and DJs play out under the stars through weatherised CDD10-WRs. The muscularity of the CDD enclosures can also be felt in the main Bristol Sports Bar, where patrons congregate in front of a giant 11-metre screen, while the other spaces include Ela Ela, a Greek restaurant on the ground floor, and Midtown Bar & Lounge piano bar and cocktail lounge.

Commenting on the system, Claude Spinelli, General Manager of Pro Sound and Lighting, “We have completed a brand-new Martin Audio speaker installation which brings world class sound to one of the region’s favourite venues. This upgrade delivers crystal clear vocals, warm, full low-end and even coverage across the entire room — perfect audio for DJs, bands, functions and weekend parties.

“With the new Martin Audio system, guests will enjoy a richer, more immersive sound experience — no dead spots, no harsh highs, just beautiful balanced audio everywhere you stand.

“Installed by Pro Sound and Lighting, this setup is built for reliability, power, and premium performance, making the Bristol event-ready for any night of the week.”