Author: janice

Martin Audio will showcase the expansion of the popular contractor series of ADORN ceiling, pendant and on-wall loudspeakers atISE 2025, with the addition of ADORN A80T.

A80T is a two-way passive speaker with an elegant design that is perfect for architectural environments that require high fidelity sound from an unobtrusive, compact enclosure. It brings class-leading performance, reliability and value to a wide range of commercial sound applications — from retail outlets, bars and restaurants to corporate offices and convention centres.

A80T is the perfect choice for background and foreground systems which require superior performance. Its Martin Audio signature sound characteristic also provides a seamless sonic transition within a multi-zoned complex using larger Martin Audio systems such as CDD or BlacklineX.

Comprising an 8” (203mm) LF driver and a 1” (25mm) polymer dome HF compression driver on a 90° x 50° horn, it handles 200W AES, 800W peak and can produce 120dB peak output at 1 metre. It has a smooth frequency response and strong bass reproduction that extends down to 63Hz.

With a nominal impedance of 8 ohms, multiple speakers can be driven in parallel from a single channel of a low impedance amplifier, such as the Martin Audio VIA2502 or VIA5004, thereby maximising efficiency and minimising cost. A80T also incorporates a high-quality transformer for 70V/100V line operation, with transformer taps selected by a rotary switch, and can be powered by the VIA 5002.

For full bandwidth protection, the low and high-frequency sections are individually protected against overload.

Available in black or white as standard, it can be readily painted to match any décor and can be wall-mounted vertically or horizontally using the supplied accessory WB6/8 bracket. In addition, for general outdoor use the cabinet only requires the additional waterproof connector cover to be IP54 compliant.

The product will be on display on the Martin Audio booth A300 at the front of Hall 7, and it will also be part of their audio demonstrations in F6, Hall 8.

More product details: https://generationav.net/products/martin-audio-series/adorn-series/a80t/

ADORN Series video: https://youtu.be/2JVTQz-sCw0

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

Based in Crawley, Sussex, Tulleys Farm turns into a seasonal theme park in the Autumn and Winter months. It’s then that they promote an evolving programme of festivals and visitor attractions with ‘Shocktober’ (developing into a Pumpkin Festival), now followed by a newly inaugurated Christmas Light Festival through its various woodland trails, occupying the month of December.

Owned for the past four generations by the Beare family, to give an idea of scale at this pumpkin farm, when Martin Audio partners SWG Events were brought in to create an integrated and immersive sound and light trail—part of an overall Christmas experience—it required around 400 of the manufacturer’s ADORN A55T series loudspeakers, spanning 40 zones.

SWG Events were introduced to handle the inaugural Christmas Light Festival, which occupies an entirely new trail through the woods.

Head of Audio, Simon Purse, says the installation is an extension of the Pumpkin Festival where ADORN speakers already featured. For the Christmas light trail, wooden fencing follows a pathway through the trees where the ADORN speakers, weather-protected by their purpose-designed IP kits, are festooned along the route. These are powered by a series of Martin Audio VIA2004 and VIA5004 amplifiers.

The quality of the system has brought the whole festival alive.

But it is within the 26 dedicated DX0.4 2-in/4-out network system processors that the magic takes place. “The client wanted to be able to control everything from a central position, and with the DX0.4s all on the same network we were able to use the Martin software in a single location. From here, any adjustments could be made to the sound remotely—and all 26 devices can be controlled from anywhere with access to our wireless network, which works remarkably well.”

He adds, “Of the 40 different zones each might have a different track or require a different level—all fed and adjustable from that master control location over a Dante network.” In terms of security there is a live mic override which ducks the system in the event of an alert.

Since the experience needs to be constantly evolving in and out of different themes, SWG are also sending timecode down the same network to various locations, as the content—played out from a media server—works through different genres … from love songs, to classical, rock and disco—synced to the various areas that require programmed lighting. Projection video reinforcement is also tied into the show control to further stimulate the senses.

Leading the project for SWG Events is Dan Jenkins. “It’s very much Dan’s vision of system deployment and flexible control,” says Purse. “In fact it took eight of us a month to put everything in.”

However, it doesn’t end there: the trail opens out to a pair of large lakes which offer stunning views of the lights, and alternate between different shows. To match this dynamic, SWG Events have beefed up the sound system, installing 48 Martin Audio Blackline X12 high performance speakers. “Since the lightshows are more impactful it required a bit more SPL and low end,” confirms Purse. A further area provides a live band stage and lasers.

Summarising the project Simon Purse says it’s the sheer scale of the event at Tulleys that makes this festival season special. “What they have achieved in a year is massive,” he says.

Added Sam and Stuart Beare, “Working with SWG Events for the implementation of the Martin Audio system has been completely seamless. The quality of the system has brought the whole festival alive.”

St John’s Launceston turned to GUZ BOX design + audio to propose an audio solution that would provide clear intelligibility in the main seating areas

When Belfast Distillery Company set out to preserve the legacy of McConnell’s Irish Whisky—a brand that dates back to 1776—they decided to take over the A-Wing of Crumlin Road Gaol, and convert it into a visitor attraction to run alongside its production activities.

Built in 1845, the Gaol was renowned for housing a number of key figures during The Troubles, but this listed building has now been carefully restored and converted, with a state-of-the-art AV installation—including end-to-end Martin Audio loudspeakers, designed and specified by the manufacturer’s partner for over 40 years, Rea Sound.

Martin Audio had in fact been requested by the clients themselves … notably their Master Distiller & Head of Supply & Operations, Graeme Millar. According to Rea Sound director, Roger McMullan, as a gigging musician, Millar had fallen in love with Martin Audio’s sound when purchasing a first-generation Blackline band PA many years ago.

It had been McMullan himself who was confronted with the challenge of specifying a workable system within a difficult space, to enable guided tours to take place that uncover the unique history of this iconic Belfast distillery brand in a landmark setting.

He recalled the origins of the contract in August last year. “At the time it was a building site as they had taken out the floors and removed the roof to get their distilling tanks in,” he said. “It was obvious to me we should use a combination of Martin Audio CDD6 and ADORN A55 for the speakers, so we drew up a specification and were immediately given the go-ahead. We then had many long meetings debating how we would make this work.”

WE SELECTED ADORN FOR ITS COMPACT SIZE AND VALUE FOR MONEY.

As many as eight different tour groups can traverse the building at a time. After signing in at Reception, where announcements are made and BGM played out through eight ADORN A55, visitors are led on a mazy route by a tour guide — via The Board Room, Mash Room, Tasting & Maturation Room and Experiential Room, finishing at the Bar & Atrium on the top floor of the three-storey edifice. Here they can stand on the glass door and enjoy views straight down over the Reception area two floors below.

In the client’s own board room, the only space not open to the general public, there are a further four ADORN A55 … part of a total complement of 36 of these products.

“We selected ADORN for its compact size and value for money … the quality of the sound is exceptional for the price,” stated McMullan. “We’ve used it a lot for infills and foyers in the past, but this is the first time we’ve really used it in anger.”

All supplied in white, their compact footprint means they can be discreetly tucked away into the furnishings or equally be wall mounted.

The tour itself initially takes visitors into The Board Room that does have public access, and here they are treated to a Pepper’s Ghost introductory video presentation. In order to enhance the presence and realism of the playback video, a Martin Audio SX110 subwoofer has been added.

As the tour guide enters each room, the Audio Technica mic is reactivated via the dedicated remote wall panel where a separate system also caters for the hard of hearing.

The single pair of Martin Audio CDD6s can be found in the Bar area—which marks the end of the tour, and is effectively six former gaol cells combined together. The idea of specifying the more powerful CDDs is with the future idea of promoting live bands in mind. “They will also host special evenings for corporate clients, who can plug in their own mixing desk—so they wanted a bit more quality and coverage,” continues Roger McMullan.

All the loudspeakers are assigned to three of Martin Audio’s VIA2004 amplifiers, which power the entire system, while processing is under the command of an Allen & Heath AHM.

In conclusion, Roger McMullan can reflect on a contract that he describes as one of the most prestigious in the company’s long history. Graeme Millar reciprocated by saying that working with Rea Sound had made the installation extremely easy. “The depth of knowledge and experience has brought together a great overall system for us,” he said. “The ease of use for us has been important, with the adaptability and reliability surpassing everything we asked for. The custom paging system also makes it easy for our staff to announce easily to the required areas.”