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LEA Professional

LEA Amplifiers Make For a Cluckin’ Good Time at the Chicken Oil Company

Big flavor, bold sound, and pure Texas spirit—Chicken Oil is serving up legendary burgers with a side of crystal-clear audio thanks to QuickTechAV and LEA Professional.🤠🍔

THE SPEC

🐔 Venue: Chicken Oil Company | Bryan, TX

👷‍♂️ Integrators: QuickTechAV

🎶 Audio Spaces: Entire Venue

🦈 Product Used: Connect Series 168 amplifiers

chicken oil company

The Chicken Oil Company, affectionately known as “Chicken Oil,” is a cherished burger joint with deep roots in Bryan, Texas. Located in a rustic building that was once a gas station, Chicken Oil opened its doors in 1977. Over the decades, it has developed a loyal following for its welcoming atmosphere, Texas charm, and hearty comfort food — especially its burgers, chicken-fried steak, and Tijuana fries. The quirky décor, featuring everything from old license plates to neon beer signs, adds to its nostalgic appeal. Strongly connected to the culture of Texas A&M University and the wider Bryan/College Station community, Chicken Oil reflects a long-standing tradition of casual dining and local flavor embraced by generations of Aggies and locals.

In 2022, Chicken Oil suffered a catastrophic fire that affected the kitchen and back-of-house areas and dealt a significant blow that left many loyal patrons disheartened. Down but not out, restaurant management vowed to rebuild Chicken Oil to its former glory and reopened its doors in 2025. As reconstruction plans progressed, restaurant staff contacted Kermit Moore, Owner of QuickTechAV, to design and install the new AV system. LEA Professional amplifiers play a key role in the new multi-zone layout.

“LEA amps make installations simple because they’re easy to use, you can use a mixture of different types of speakers on the same amp, and their speaker tunings optimize right from the start,” said Moore.

“Most amps can’t compete with that.”

THE INSTALL

A total of 30 speakers are installed across the restaurant, including 19 pendant speakers, nine surface mount speakers, and two in-ceiling speakers in the restrooms. The pendant speakers are mounted in the main and overflow dining rooms, while the surface mount speakers are used in the bar and outside the entrance.

QuickTechAV deployed Connect Series 168 amplifiers to power the restaurant’s speakers. The IoT-enabled 8-channel CS168 provides 160 watts per channel, supports Hi-Z (70V or 100V) and Lo-Z selectable by channel, and features Smart Power Bridge technology. Chicken Oil staff can connect to the built-in Wi-Fi access point, the restaurant’s Wi-Fi, or the local area network via Cat5 or Cat6 cable.

The Connect Series delivers an industry-first professional amplifier family to feature cloud connectivity, a revolutionary advancement and a significant benefit for anyone maintaining the systems. With LEA Cloud, AV teams can remotely control and monitor the amplifiers regardless of the location or time of day, and with no subscription model or hidden costs, it’s completely free to use.

THE CONCLUSION

Patrons are thrilled about Chicken Oil’s reopening, eager to return to the nostalgic atmosphere and classic comfort food they’ve missed. Longtime fans and new visitors alike are lining up to enjoy the burgers, fries, and laid-back charm that made it a local favorite.

“Commissioning the LEA amplifiers was flawless,” said Moore. “Everything worked when we turned on the system and started walking around the restaurant, checking all the controls and the zones. Everything came up the first time; the music was playing, and it was playing in the correct zones. Everyone was really happy with how it sounded.”

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HH Electronics LEA Professional

HH Audio reinforces fun Japanese dining concept in Mumbai

India: A new outlet of the Japanese-themed Harajuku Tokyo Café chain has opened in Mumbai’s BKC district with a sound system featuring HH Audio speakers powered by LEA amplifiers. The installation was handled by systems integrator Varun Dua of Bassline AV Technologies, who has installed similar systems into several Harajuku Tokyo Café outlets in the north of India. Both brands are represented in India by Generation AV.

“HH is a very flexible, multi-use brand which fits well for a venue like this, which plays background music during the day as well as DJ music and karaoke in the evenings,” explains Dua. “HH Audio with LEA amplification is a good combination, and we get brilliant service support from Generation AV. I was one of HH Audio’s first partners three years ago, when Generation AV starting representing them in India, and I’ve used them for several pan-Indian chains and retail outlets I work with.”

The main system consists of four white HH Audio TNi-W8PRO-WH 8-inch passive speakers supported by two TNi-W6 6.5-inch speakers used as delay fills, and a TNA-1800S subwoofer for low-frequency reinforcement. The entire setup is powered by a single LEA Connect Series 1504 amplifier. Dua used the amp’s built-in DSP to fine-tune the audio, ensuring optimal coverage in the centre of the room while minimising reflections from the floor-to-ceiling windows. Harajuku’s own playlist sets the tone during the day, with DJ sets for special events. Every Friday evening, a projector screen drops down for karaoke – or “Harajukuoke” – as a mic is passed around to willing participants.

“This is a new concept in India, where Japanese cuisine is typically presented in a formal dining context,” explained marketing manager, Khushe Taylor. “We position ourselves as as fun dining outlet, not fine dining, because we want everybody to enjoy Japanese culture and food.

“We play a mixture of J-pop and K-pop along with other styles of music, and it changes throughout the day. The sound system is very flexible: it works for having conversations earlier in the day and also has enough power to ramp up during the evenings.”

Having recently secured a new round of funding, the Harajuku chain – owned by entrepreneur Gaurav Kanwar, who opened the first branch at the age of 25 – is aiming to expand into 15-20 outlets in the next two years, with a planned eventual total of around 90 pan-India.

L–R: HH Audio's Ian Wright, SI Varun Dua and Generation AV's Vijay Kamble
Varun Dua takes to the decks at Harajuku Tokyo Cafe

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LEA Professional

LEA Amplifiers Bring Good Vibes to Gale Hotel Miami | Miami, FL

Chic design, rooftop views, and unforgettable days in the Sunshine State—Gale Hotel Miami sets the vibe with Designer Digital, Interlink Group, and LEA Professional’s Connect Series 704 amplifiers powering it all. ☀️🌴

THE SPEC

🌴 Venue: Gale Hotel Miami | Miami, FL

👷‍♂️ Integrators: Interlink Group & Designer Digital Systems, Inc.

🎶 Audio Spaces: 1st floor restaurants (2) and 9th floor restaurants (3)

🦈 Product Used: Connect Series 704 amplifiers

Gale Hotel Miami

Conveniently located in downtown Miami, Gale Hotel Miami is a 51-story architectural landmark offering an innovative blend of boutique hotel comfort, upscale condo living, and culinary haven, complemented by a wellness center complete with a spa and gym — all within a stone’s throw of the Magic City’s most exhilarating attractions.

Guests can indulge in a variety of dining experiences on the 9th floor, offering breathtaking vistas of Biscayne Bay and the iconic Miami skyline. Or take advantage of the Pool Club, which offers a stunning outdoor pool oasis accompanied by a chic restaurant where guests can enjoy Miami-inspired cuisine.

THE INSTALL

Four years in the making, Gale Hotel Miami hired Interlink Group to design the audio systems for the two restaurants on the 1st floor and the three restaurants on the 9th floor. Interlink, in turn, partnered with Designer Digital Systems, Inc., to design the sound system, build the racks, and program the system. With space for only one full-sized rack on the 9th floor and one in the mezzanine MDF room, and requirements to power many speakers at high SPL for parties, amplifier size and power were major considerations. LEA Professional amplifiers were a perfect fit for the project. 

“The project developer wanted great sound, reliability, and a fair price,” said Bruce J. Alaimo, owner of Designer Digital Systems, Inc. “They had a design from a different company that was much more expensive. I immediately thought of LEA amps for our new design. I planned on using a variety of speakers from major brands, and LEA had speaker tunings for all of them, which made it a lot easier.”

Designer Digital Systems, Inc., deployed 13 Connect Series 704 amplifiers to power the venue’s varied speakers. The IoT-enabled 4-channel 704 provides 700 watts per channel, supports Hi-Z (70V or 100V) and Lo-Z selectable by channel, and features Smart Power Bridge technology. Connect Series also includes 96kHz DSP, which is standard in all models and offers a range of benefits that significantly enhance audio performance and system versatility.

Eight CS704 amplifiers power the three restaurants on the 9th floor (22,400 watts at 70V), while five CS704 amplifiers were installed in the mezzanine MDF room for the restaurants on the 1st floor (14,000 watts at 70V). Designer Digital Systems, Inc., chose LEA amplifiers due to their size-to-power ratio (1RU with 2,800 watts per amplifier), as well as the flexibility of full DSP for crossover and speaker tuning of all major brands. The Smart Power Bridge technology was utilized in an innovative manner to overcome a drywall installation error that caused a short, enabling the team to drive two speakers at 1400 watts at 70V. In essence, this feature, performance, and system versatility saved a main zone in the 1st floor restaurant.

THE CONCLUSION

The Gale Hotel in Miami blends contemporary elegance with cutting-edge technology, offering a chic urban retreat. Its sleek design features bespoke European furnishings and a state-of-the-art audio system befitting the property, enhancing the ambiance throughout. 

“I really enjoy working with LEA amplifiers and the LEA tech support team,” said Alaimo. “I have used LEA amplifiers in many projects and look forward to working with them in many more projects in the future. They’re a great product with fabulous power offerings per rack space, full DSP, and best of all, great people. I highly recommend them.”

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LEA Professional

LEA Amplifiers Drive Pixel Palace Sonic Experience | Round Rock, TX

Pixel Palace Arcade & Bar is turning back the clock in style. With Mood Texas and LEA Connect Series 354 amplifiers, Round Rock’s newest hotspot delivers retro gaming thrills wrapped in powerful, crystal-clear sound. 🎮🎶

THE SPEC

🎰 Venue: Pixel Palace Arcade & Bar | Round Rock, TX

👷‍♂️ Integrator: Mood Texas

🎶 Audio Spaces: Entire Venue 

🦈 Product Used: Connect Series 354

Pixel palace Arcade & bar

Pixel Palace Arcade and Bar, located in Round Rock, Texas, is a lively blend of nostalgia, gaming, and social interaction. Opened in October 2024, the venue features a retro-inspired atmosphere with classic arcade games, pinball machines, and a full-service bar offering 20 beers on tap, with a focus on local breweries.

Guests can enjoy a nostalgic gaming experience with favorites from the ’70s to the ’90s, including Skee-Ball, pinball, claw machines, and basketball hoops. Pixel Palace promotes a strong sense of community through regular tournaments, themed nights, and fundraising events. Additionally, the venue includes a basement game room showcasing timeless classics like Pong and Pitfall, providing a cozy space for gamers to unwind and connect.

THE INSTALL

Multiple video walls and individual displays feature prominently in Pixel Palace, showcasing a variety of content, including classic music videos from back in the day, Twitch streams, and the bar’s menu of rotating beers on tap. Mood Texas was chosen to design and install the AV system, and they included LEA Professional amplifiers as part of the buildout.

“LEA Professional amps checked all the boxes perfectly for Pixel Palace,” said Linda Rasch, Senior System Designer at Mood Texas. “It was a breeze setting them up; the system performs flawlessly and sounds fabulous.”

Mood Texas added a Bluetooth input to accommodate special requests from patrons, such as anniversary celebrations. An XLR wall plate is included for the bar’s regularly scheduled Geeks Who Drink trivia nights, whose host uses a microphone to ask questions. The entire system is controlled from an iPad via an RTI control processor. The integration was made easier thanks to LEA’s RTI driver, one of many third-party APIs LEA offers for seamless system integration and ease of use for end users.

Mood Texas deployed Connect Series 354 amplifiers to power the restaurant’s speakers. The IoT-enabled 4-channel 354 provides 350 watts per channel, supports Hi-Z (70V or 100V) and Lo-Z selectable by channel, and features Smart Power Bridge technology. 

The Connect Series delivers an industry-first professional amplifier family to feature cloud connectivity, a revolutionary advancement, and a significant benefit for anyone maintaining the systems. With LEA Cloud, AV teams like Mood Texas can remotely control and monitor the amplifiers regardless of the location or time of day, and with no subscription model or hidden costs, it’s completely free to use.

THE CONCLUSION

Whether you’re a local or visiting Round Rock, Pixel Palace offers a unique blend of retro gaming and modern socializing, making it a must-visit destination for enthusiasts of all ages.

“Everything worked when we turned on the system and started walking around the restaurant, checking all the controls and the zones,” said Rasch. “I spec LEA whenever possible because of LEA Cloud and the remote management capabilities. We have 4000 customers — it’s just too many to roll trucks for all of them. So the more we can fix remotely, the better.

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LEA Professional

LEA Amps Power Urban Cowboy Bar | Nashville, TN

When Urban Cowboy took over two floors of the Nashville Arcade, audio clarity was a must. Hazelwood Labs met the challenge with LEA Professional amps, delivering bold, immersive sound to match the venue’s vibrant energy.

THE SPEC

🎰 Venue: Urban Cowboy Bar | Nashville, TN

👷‍♂️ Integrator: Hazelwood Laboratories

🎶 Audio Spaces: Entire Venue 

🦈 Product Used: Connect Series 64124354, and 704 

Urban Cowboy Bar

Urban Cowboy Bar is an anchor tenant of the Arcade and a distinctive addition to the city’s vibrant nightlife scene. Opened in April 2025, this multi-level, 8,000-square-foot venue offers a blend of immersive design and a dynamic atmosphere, making it a one-of-a-kind destination for both locals and visitors. Urban Cowboy Bar is intended as an elevated cowboy experience, offering a blend of quality food, creative cocktails, and a welcoming environment. The space features a mix of high-energy and laid-back areas, each with its own unique character. The upstairs boasts a high-design cocktail lounge with velvet details and mirror-backed bars, while the downstairs saloon offers a more rustic ambiance with wooden elements and eclectic decor, including taxidermy and vintage signage.

THE INSTALL

Before opening, venue staff contacted Joseph Hazelwood, founder of Hazelwood Laboratories, to design an audio system for their varied music zones. The bar wanted audio capabilities for DJs, Apple AirPlay, house music, and local zone control in each area. Out of the gate, Hazelwood knew amplifiers from LEA Professional were more than up to the task.

“I try to use LEA amplifiers for every project because I’ve found them to be well-suited to my installations, and there are more than enough products in the Connect Series line, so I don’t need to look elsewhere,” said Hazelwood. “The addition of the half-rack amplifiers is exciting and it made the decision even simpler for me.”

Hazelwood installed Connect Series 704 and Connect Series 354 amplifiers, plus new half-rack models including Connect Series 124 and Connect Series 64 in the expansive bar. The IoT-enabled 4-channel CS704 provides 700 watts per channel, while the 4-channel CS354 offers 350 watts per channel. The smaller but still mighty 4-channel CS124 provides 120 watts per channel, and the 4-channel CS64 offers 60 watts per channel. All of LEA’s models support Hi-Z (70V or 100V) and Lo-Z selectable by channel, and feature Smart Power Bridge technology.

Additionally, the Connect Series delivers an industry-first professional amplifier family to feature cloud connectivity, a revolutionary advancement and a significant benefit for anyone maintaining the systems. With LEA Cloud, AV teams can remotely control and monitor the amplifiers, including half-rack models, regardless of the location or time of day, and it’s completely free to use.

Hazelwood also utilized LEA’s free SharkWare software to configure a base profile and push it out to all the pre-staged LEA amplifiers. SharkWare includes amplifier grouping, offline design, granular user access control levels, locked speaker tunings, and a graphical EQ. The software enables users to view and adjust channel settings, including input settings, signal generator, crossover, equalizer, limiter, and load monitoring, for all LEA Connect Series amplifiers.

THE CONCLUSION

The grand opening event in May 2025 was a huge success, featuring live music, DJs, tattoo artists, stilt walkers, and interactive photo ops. Whether you’re seeking a casual drink, a gourmet meal, or a night of entertainment, this venue provides a multifaceted experience in the heart of Nashville’s historic Arcade.

“The Urban Cowboy Bar is a very unique and fun environment,” said Hazelwood. “The different vibes around the space — some more mellow, others high energy — cater to different moods and personalities. I think LEA amplifiers were the perfect choice for the venue, and I can’t wait to use them again on my next install.”

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LEA Professional

LEA Amps Power New Hotel and Casino in Southwest Las Vegas

A stunning new venue in Southwest Valley, Las Vegas, is setting a new standard for style and sound. Expertly brought to life by Technology West Group, this vibrant space combines modern design with immersive audio-visual experiences—powered by the reliable performance of LEA Connect Series amplifiers. ✨

THE SPEC

🎰 Venue: Hotel and Casino | Las Vegas, NV

👷‍♂️ Integrator: Technology West Group

🎶 Audio Spaces: Entire Venue (Multi-Zone)

🦈 Product Used: Connect Series 354D  & 704D (85)

Las Vegas Hotel and Casino

Ascending 216 feet into the sky, the golden 15-story hotel tower is an instant, impossible-to-ignore landmark that offers 209 meticulously appointed rooms, including 29 luxurious suites, promising unparalleled comfort and sophistication. Culinary enthusiasts are enticed by the casino’s food hall, boasting 11 diverse eateries alongside four standalone restaurants showcasing exquisite flavors from around the globe. The casino offers 20,000 square feet of versatile convention space for events of distinction, complemented by an enchanting event lawn for unforgettable gatherings. Everything at the casino is designed to reflect luxury, including the audiovisual aspect.

THE INSTALL

The swimming pool is a key feature of the facility, offering a dedicated space for competitive swimming and recreational use. The pool accommodates a variety of aquatic activities, including swim meets, practice sessions for the university’s swim teams and local middle and high school swim teams, and open times for use by students and community members. 

However, the pool never had an AV system installed; instead, it relied on a Bluetooth-enabled boombox on wheels whenever announcements or other sounds like starting signals had to be broadcast room-wide. School staff contacted Alex Peake, Installation Lead at JCA Media, to install a professional-grade AV system. 

“We use LEA amps on many of our installs,” said Peake. “The LEA Cloud allows me to log into the system, make changes when I’m not onsite, and keep an eye on my customers. LEA integrates well with everything else, so using them was a no-brainer.”

The new system includes an Allen & Heath AHM-16 16×16 audio matrix processor paired with Connect Series 702 amplifiers. The CS702 is a 2-channel amplifier with 700 watts per channel that supports Hi-Z (70V or 100V) and Lo-Z selectable by channel and features Smart Power Bridge technology.

The Connect Series delivers an industry-first professional amplifier family to feature cloud connectivity, a revolutionary advancement and a significant benefit for anyone maintaining the systems. With LEA Cloud, AV companies like JCA Media can remotely control and monitor the amplifiers regardless of the location or time of day, and with no subscription model or hidden costs — it’s completely free to use.

THE CONCLUSION

The casino offers locals and visitors a boutique gaming and approachable luxury experience. The opening has been so successful that plans are already underway for expansion, including a new parking structure and over 25,000 square feet of additional casino space. A new high-limit slot and bar area offering an additional 230 slot machines will be featured, with 120 dedicated to a new high-limit room, setting the stage for an even more magnificent experience at the casino.

“The ability to select Lo-Z or Hi-Z on a per-channel basis transforms system flexibility, allowing independent channel configuration for a variety of speaker setups. This means you can mix and match different speaker types within the same amplifier, without compromise,” said Reisig. “By simplifying installation and reducing the need for additional hardware, this feature ensures seamless integration across diverse environments, delivering optimal audio performance every time.”

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LEA Professional

LEA Amps Power Powell Athletic Center

Athletic centers demand AV systems that perform under pressure—humidity, acoustics, and high activity levels all push equipment to its limits. That’s why Campbellsville University, a private Christian university in Kentucky, recently selected LEA Professional amplifiers for an audio upgrade in their aquatic facility.

THE SPEC

🍿 Venue: The Powell Athletic Center | Campbellsville, KY

👷‍♂️ Integrator: JCA Media

🎶 Audio Spaces: Aquatic Center

🦈 Product Used: Connect Series 704 (Multiple)

Powell Athletic Center

The Powell Athletic Center is a central hub for Campbellsville’s athletic community. It includes a spacious gymnasium for basketball and various fitness and recreational spaces and houses all of Campbellsville’s athletic training staff offices, treatment, prehab, and rehab facilities. 

THE INSTALL

The swimming pool is a key feature of the facility, offering a dedicated space for competitive swimming and recreational use. The pool accommodates a variety of aquatic activities, including swim meets, practice sessions for the university’s swim teams and local middle and high school swim teams, and open times for use by students and community members. 

However, the pool never had an AV system installed; instead, it relied on a Bluetooth-enabled boombox on wheels whenever announcements or other sounds like starting signals had to be broadcast room-wide. School staff contacted Alex Peake, Installation Lead at JCA Media, to install a professional-grade AV system. 

“We use LEA amps on many of our installs,” said Peake. “The LEA Cloud allows me to log into the system, make changes when I’m not onsite, and keep an eye on my customers. LEA integrates well with everything else, so using them was a no-brainer.”

The new system includes an Allen & Heath AHM-16 16×16 audio matrix processor paired with Connect Series 702 amplifiers. The CS702 is a 2-channel amplifier with 700 watts per channel that supports Hi-Z (70V or 100V) and Lo-Z selectable by channel and features Smart Power Bridge technology.

The Connect Series delivers an industry-first professional amplifier family to feature cloud connectivity, a revolutionary advancement and a significant benefit for anyone maintaining the systems. With LEA Cloud, AV companies like JCA Media can remotely control and monitor the amplifiers regardless of the location or time of day, and with no subscription model or hidden costs — it’s completely free to use.

THE CONCLUSION

As expected, swimmers and spectators were ecstatic with the new system, echoing a “night and day difference” from the previous solution. Announcements and instructions were much more intelligible, eliminating the challenge of trying to understand what was being said.

“We love LEA amps,” said Peake. “They’re easy to use, and the team at LEA is great to work with. They are a fantastic partner.” 

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LEA Professional

LEA Amps Power Studio 35 Cinema & Drafthouse

When you’re competing with Friday night plans, you need more than just popcorn and a projector—you need an experience. That’s exactly what Studio 35 Cinema & Drafthouse delivers, and their latest audio upgrade proves it. With a new sound system powered by LEA Professional amplifiers, this iconic cinema is taking its AV game to the next level.

THE SPEC

🍿 Venue: Studio 35 Cinema & Drafthouse  | Columbus, OH

👷‍♂️ Integrator: Total Cinema Solutions

🎶 Audio Spaces: Entire Theater

🦈 Product Used: Connect Series 704 (Multiple)

Studio 35 Cinema & Drafthouse

Studio 35 Cinema & Drafthouse, nestled in Columbus, Ohio’s Clintonville neighborhood, has been a local staple since its debut as the Indianola Theatre in 1938. In the 1970s, it made history as the first U.S. cinema to serve beer and food, becoming a pioneer in the dine-in movie experience. Over the decades, it’s evolved with the times—hosting cult classics, beer tastings, live sports, and community events. A major renovation in 2012 introduced a full bar with 40 taps and a refreshed interior. Studio 35 remains proudly independent and family-owned, continuing to blend blockbuster appeal with neighborhood charm.

THE INSTALL

Studio 35 contacted its longtime technology partner Brian Vita, Sales & Service Manager at Total Cinema Solutions, for recommendations on audio system upgrades. Vita immediately included LEA Professional amplifiers as part of the new system design.

“The best definition of an amplifier I’ve heard is that ‘it’s a piece of wire with gain and nothing else,’” said Vita. “And that’s basically what LEA amplifiers perform as. They’re pieces of wire with gain that don’t add any noise to the signal. I mean that as a high compliment.”

The new audio system is built around a state-of-the-art Trinnov Ovation2 cinema processor, greatly enhancing the movie-going experience at Studio 35. The unofficial project goal is to “rattle the shingles of the building next door.” JBL 4732 three-way ScreenArray loudspeakers are the mains, supported by two JBL 4642A subwoofers and several JBL 9310 surround loudspeakers.

Vita deployed Connect Series 704 amplifiers to power the theater’s speakers. The IoT-enabled 4-channel 704 provides 700 watts per channel, supports Hi-Z (70V or 100V) and Lo-Z selectable by channel, and features Smart Power Bridge technology. Unlocking the full potential of the speakers right out of the box, Connect Series amps deliver optimized speaker tunings that ensure every note is heard with clarity and precision throughout the theater.

“The built-in speaker tunings in the LEA amps were great for this application, as was the ability to monitor (the amps) remotely,” said Vita. “That level of control, monitoring and processing made the choice of amplifier easy and clear-cut for us.”

THE CONCLUSION

With the success of the recent upgrades at Studio 35, the owners are now looking ahead—exploring similar enhancements for their other theaters. It’s a clear sign that delivering high-quality, immersive experiences isn’t just a one-time investment, but a long-term commitment to their audiences and the communities they serve.

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HH Electronics LEA Professional NST Audio Optimal Audio

Optimal Audio impresses at Luft – The Air

India: Situated in the heart of the Andheri West entertainment district in Mumbai, the Luft – The Air bar features an Optimal Audio sound system, installed by Generation AV. Sitting amongst a collection of Bollywood studios and neighbouring the Yash Raj Films studios, the venue attracts a young crowd of Bollywood stars and aspiring actors.

When Luft – The Air changed ownership, the venue began a renovation project which included the installation of new sound systems to impress its patrons. Measuring approximately 5,000m2, with capacity for up to 1,500 people, the bar is split across three distinct zones which can be rented out for separate functions or combined into one space. It plays mostly DJ music, focusing on the techno and house genres, as well as hosts events such as Bollywood nights and a Sundown party.

With the owner specifying “British tonality”, Generation AV set up a demonstration of two British brands, including Optimal Audio. The team played a set of tracks supplied by the owner at Mumbai’s Gymkhana 91 Bar & Kitchen which features a newly installed Optimal Audio system.

“The owner loved the tone of Optimal,” noted Prashant Govindan, head of Generation AV India. “Within five seconds of hearing the system, he decided the brand was the right fit for his venue and asked if we could recreate the system for Luft – The Air.”

The bar
Dining area

The venue has been outfitted with a three-way system featuring 20 Optimal Audio loudspeakers, including two Cuboid 15, four Cuboid 12, 10 Cuboid 10 and two Cuboid 8 loudspeakers for tops. This is complemented by two TNA2800S and four TNA1800S subwoofers from HH Audio for the low end. LEA amplifiers power the tops, with HH Audio amps deployed for the subs. NST Audio’s VMX 88 controls the entire system and all the DJ inputs are routed into the VMX 88. The entire setup can be intuitively controlled via an iPad or on a touchpanel, enabling staff to combine the three zones or separate them for different functions. Additionally, the NST Audio system features Dante processing and a 16 out option was implemented, enabling future expansion.

A private dining area

According to Govindan, the bar’s DJ, Goku, was one of the big influencers for choosing Optimal Audio. “Goku was very clear that he didn’t want to be messing around with knobs and fiddling around in settings,” said Govindan. “He liked the fact that, compared to analogue systems, with Optimal Audio everything is already preset.”

Another advantage offered is the LEA and NST Audio systems are completely automated and can be controlled from anywhere, meaning visiting DJs don’t need to know the intricacies of the system and can just “plug and play”.

“I visited the venue on the day it opened and, of course, Luft – The Air’s frequent customers from the Bollywood world go to a lot of parties,” noted Govindan. “While I was there, I spoke to a few people and they said that the system was by far the clearest sounding they had heard in Mumbai. For me that was a validation that the project was a success.

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LEA Professional

LEA Amps Power Curtis Culwell Center

From local school events to national music tours, the Curtis Culwell Center has long been a hub of culture and connection in the Dallas area. Now, with LEA Professional amplifiers installed, every moment—big or small—gets the sound quality it deserves.

THE SPEC

🎳 Venue: Curtis Culwell Center | Garland, Texas

👷‍♂️ Integrator: NX A/V

🎶 Audio Spaces: Entire Arena

🦈 Product Used: Connect Series 354704 and 1504 (13)

Curtis Culwell Center

The Curtis Culwell Center is a beautiful, state-of-the-art multi-purpose facility boasting over 190,000 square feet of space, including an arena and conference center. The facility was designed by HKS, Inc., one of the nation’s leading architectural firms behind venues like the American Airlines Center, Choctaw Stadium, Bass Performing Arts Center, and more.

THE INSTALL

After 20 years of operation, some of the original audio infrastructure began to fail. Individual devices were replaced to keep the system functioning, but the school district recognized they needed a more comprehensive equipment overhaul to ensure reliability for crucial public address functions. Culwell Center staff contacted Ron Stanley, Proprietor of NX A/V, with whom they had a long-standing relationship for audio systems support, to recommend system upgrades. Stanley immediately included LEA Professional amplifiers as part of the retrofit.

“Recently, I was trying to decide on what our go-to amp was going to be moving forward, so I brought in several amps for a shootout,” said Stanley. “LEA was the winner, not just for the sound quality but feature set as well.”

Stanley’s team installed five Connect Series 354, four Connect Series 704, and four Connect Series 1504 amplifiers to power the venue’s public address system. The CS354 is a 4-channel amplifier with 350 watts per channel, while the 4-channel CS704 offers 700 watts per channel, and the 4-channel CS1504 provides 1500 watts per channel. All Connect Series amplifiers are professional-grade IoT-enabled smart amplifiers for any size installation, support Hi-Z (70V or 100V) and Lo-Z selectable by channel, and feature Smart Power Bridge technology. 

The Connect Series delivers an industry-first professional amplifier family to feature cloud connectivity, a revolutionary advancement and a significant benefit for anyone maintaining the systems. With LEA Cloud, AV teams can remotely control and monitor the amplifiers regardless of the location or time of day, and with no subscription model or hidden costs, it’s completely free to use.

Stanley remarked, “With the cloud registered amps, we, as well as registered venue staff, can get notification of events and faults, like a speaker circuit that is over or under the expected impedance that could indicate a blown speaker or broken wire, often before anyone in the venue actually notices.”

THE CONCLUSION

Given the smaller form factor of the LEA amplifiers, Stanley was able to consolidate five racks of amplifiers into two, thereby significantly reducing space without losing any functionality.

“The built-in speaker tunings in the LEA amps were great for this application, as was the impedance monitoring,” said Stanley. “With the upcoming graduations, the system has to work error-free, and LEA amps fit the bill perfectly.”

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