Category: Optimal Audio

USA – Evoking the spirit of a 1920s speakeasy hidden within the glamourous surroundings of The Venetian Casino, Las Vegas, ‘1923’ sets the stage for live jazz and soft swing.  To complement its vintage charm with audio of equal finesse, integrator DesignO’s Emaan selected an Optimal Audio ecosystem to deliver the requirement for “warm and full-bodied sound” suited to the room’s timeless allure.

Reflecting its flexible layout, the venue was divided into multiple audio zones. An enclosed private room hosts magic shows and intimate gatherings, with its own dedicated audio. The large central hall can be subdivided with curtains to create smaller, more intimate areas, while the lobby and additional side sections operate independently when required.

The audio system comprised a total of twelve Optimal Audio Up ceiling speakers accessorised as pendent speakers in black, to provide even ambient coverage across ceilings, using 110° conical dispersion. On the walls and vertical surfaces, ten wall-mounted Cuboid 6 loudspeakers deliver articulate, paired with seven Sub 10 slimline subwoofers to extend the system’s low end response. 

Driving the audio are two Amp 300 high-power amplifiers engineered to drive demanding speaker loads in stereo whether bridged or parallel modes. Three SmartAmp 30 units provide additional support, each allocating four DSP-enabled channels.

Emaan explained the set up, “Generally, three of the zones run the same music, but we needed the autonomy to change things when different events overlapped,” said Emaan. “The flexibility is built in, so management has full control.”

Unlike a café or retail install, this project demanded performance suitable for live music and atmospheric playback and Optimal Audio’s loudspeakers delivered. Emaan noted, “We had used basic commercial pendants temporarily ahead of the Optimal Audio system and the difference was night and day, which you could hear as soon as we’d installed Optimal Audio. There was no comparison the sound is excellent.”

The clarity and range of the Optimal Audio ecosystem brought the speakeasy’s 1920s soundtrack to life, while also handling the demands of private events and live musicians plugging into the system. Management quickly recognised the leap in quality compared with other venues in their portfolio and Emaan confirmed, “They said outright that this is their best sounding venue.” 

Optimal Audio’s SmartAmp series ensures each loudspeaker is optimised, protected, and easy to drive. Still building experience with audio installations, the DesignO team found the amplifiers to be intuitive. Emaan conceded, “There was a small learning curve, but once we got going everything sounded great. You can tell the system was designed by people who know what installers need, the integration with SmartAmp and Optimal Audio loudspeakers was seamless.”

For DesignO, Optimal Audio has quickly become the go-to choice. Emaan explained, “The owners of 1923 have other venues with different brands, and they know that this is the best sounding site. Between the quality of support we’ve had from Optimal Audio’s US sales manager, Jeff Miranda, the sound quality and the price point, I’ve no reason to look elsewhere. Any future projects with this client will be Optimal Audio.”

The newest Super Mex location set out to raise the bar for the brand’s 22-strong restaurant chain. With a statement bar, elevated interiors, and a dedicated events hall, the brief was to make the venue sound as good as it looked. Trusted communications integrator Hosted Connections, long established in IT and telecoms, partnered with Optimal Audio to deliver a complete commercial audio ecosystem that transformed the venue with a versatile audio experience that was simple for all the staff to control.

Hosted Connections is the go-to provider of telecom and IT infrastructure for more than 4,000 clients nationwide, managing everything from routers to POS systems. Audio had never been part of the portfolio – until the team discovered the simplicity and reliability of Optimal Audio, backed by Optimal Audio’s technical expert and US Sales Manager, Jeff Miranda.

“The beautiful sound as well as the simplicity of Optimal Audio – in addition to the unfailing support we received from Jeff at every step of the way – made the transition into audio possible for us and now we have a new AV arm to provide for our customers’ audiovisual needs,” explained founder Hourash Rezaei.

Hosted Connections worked closely with the venue to design a new audio blueprint using the Optimal Audio ecosystem, with the space divided into multiple zones each tailored to its unique function. Control is handled via WebApp, giving staff instant access to adjust levels and switch modes, whether for subtle background sound during dining or a high-impact DJ set.

The bar is the heart of the venue. In this zone, eleven Cuboid 8 loudspeakers with low frequency support provided by four Sub 10s delivered full-bodied coverage, while a further two Cuboid 15s add punch for DJ sets. “The owner wanted it loud…. really loud,” said Miranda. “So we dialled it up with Cuboid 8s and reinforced with Sub 10s. When the DJ fires up, the whole place comes alive.”

The dining area features five Cuboid 5s and two Sub 10s for a controlled, inviting soundscape. With two additional Cuboid 15s on standby, the space easily scales for live sets.

In the events hall, fourteen UP6 ceiling loudspeakers and four Sub 10s provide smooth coverage for day-to-day use. For larger functions, a standalone system of two Cuboid 15s and two Sub 15s delivers the clarity and energy demanded by live entertainment. “The hall system has two layers,” explained Miranda. “Background music via the UP6s, and a full-throttle DJ system when needed. They’re independent but integrated, so it’s super flexible.”

Optimal Audio has announced a new 8” touchscreen wall controller – ZonePad 8 – available for immediate shipment. 

ZonePad 8 is an elegant wall-mounted touchscreen controller, providing users with clear and intuitive access to the controls of up to eight zones within an Optimal Audio commercial audio system. With a vibrant 8-inch IPS touch display and tempered glass capacitive touch panel, ZonePad 8 offers a sophisticated and user-friendly interface, providing users with the ability to operate complex audio systems effortlessly. 

ZonePad 8 enables intuitive control of source switching, volume and microphone levels, as well as triggering advanced features like routines or message playback in up to eight zones, with advanced device configuration setting access to individual zones and permission settings over the functions available to each zone, making it ideal for dynamic commercial environments. 

Its seamless integration with Optimal Audio Zone controllers, powerful quad-core processor, and secure design ensures reliable and responsive control tailored to any venue’s unique needs.
 

Power is delivered via POE from a compatible router or switch, and for venues where the installer cannot run cables, ZonePad 8 can be powered locally with an optional 12v power supply and connect to the network and Zone controller via WIFI. 

Product Manager, David Morbey, commented, “Feedback from our customers highlighted the demand for a more sophisticated wall controller for use with our Zone controllers that acts as a sophisticated plug and play device with no setup or ability to misuse. Our celebrated WebApp interface is directly delivered to a custom app in ZonePad 8, which auto-runs upon power-up and detects audio zone processors on the same network. The device is POE powered, ensuring ease of installation and reduced wiring complexity.  The product supports surface mount and is supplied with mounting plate, compatible with UK, EU & US back boxes. Its everything an Optimal Audio product should be, simple to use, powerful in its application.” 

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UK: For Bristol’s award-winning RedX Dance – inspiring dancers of all ages from children to adults with high-energy street dance classes since 2012, high quality audio is everything. Now at its Staple Hill studio the vibe is sharper than ever thanks to an upgrade to the Optimal Audio ecosystem, supplied and installed by Richer Sounds, Bath.

The large studio space deserved a system that delivered punchy, even coverage reaching every corner. Richer Sounds turned to Optimal Audio’s Cuboid 6 wall-mounted speakers, to provide full-range clarity with style in a powerful yet compact footprint. Bringing the low-end weight that’s imperative for hip-hop and urban tracks is the support of a single Sub 6.

“The Cuboid 6 gives us a great balance between size and performance,” confirmed Tom, Store Manager at Richer Sounds, Bath. “We didn’t want to overload the space with speakers, so the Cuboids offered perfect coverage while staying discreet. And even though the Sub 6 is the smallest in the range, it’s incredibly punchy – just right for the music RedX dancers love.”

Optimal Audio’s award-winning WebApp provides full configuration or control of the system. For everyday use, WebApp presents a simple and intuitive interface which can speedily access routines or even set them up to be automatically triggered.

WebApp is available via any browser but at RedX is accessed via the ZonePad 4P, which conveniently offers four channels of 100W integrated amplification at four or 8 ohms, whilst for 70v applications channels can be bridged for 200W at 8ohms. An additional Amp100 completed the power requirement, and the combination provides a future-ready system for RedX.  

Tom adds, “The use of the Zone4P was crucial to the success of the system as it not only allows for enough power to drive the speakers but also a great deal of connectivity so that it can be controlled by the client in a simple-to-use manner. Combined with the Amp 100 power amp the system has plenty of power so that if the client wishes to expand with additional speakers in the future there is sufficient headroom. It’s been a great solution for them.”

Red X studio owner and teacher Jasmine Sorisi-Thomas added, “The new, top-of-the-line sound system in our studio, gives crystal-clear audio that fills every corner of the room with incredible detail and depth. Dancers love the surround sound – it makes every session feel like a live performance.”

AUSTRALIA: Tucked into North Lakes on Australia’s Sunshine Coast, Jungle Adventure Play Centre (JAPC) is one of Queensland’s most energetic spaces for kids to run wild – safely. For its second location the team turned once again to Brisbane Sound Group, who jumped into the challenge with the nimble yet powerful Optimal Audio ecosystem, supplied by distributor, Audio Brands.

Brisbane Sound Group had already experienced the acoustic challenges of Jungle Adventure, having previously fitted out JAPC’s first venue in Tingalpa. The centre’s team needed an audio system to support every moment – from playful chaos to peaceful cuppas. Simple to control and manage day to day, delivering great audio coverage, Optimal Audio’s ecosystem was the right choice for the noisy play environment.

As is so often the case, the AV installation was not the first part of the project to be completed, and the play equipment was already in place. Though the placement of ball pits, climbing structures and safety nets presented considerable obstacles, they helped to denote a number of the venue’s 12 zones. BSG’s Installation & Projects Manager, Josiah Kerridge, described some of the installation challenges, “Accessing walls and ceilings was a real puzzle in this environment. Working with the physical obstacles, we created consistent coverage and clarity across every zone.”

Despite limited access during the build, BSG and distributor Audio Brands collaborated to ensure product choices and speaker placement hit the mark. “Audio Brands were fantastic,” says Josh Bonnici, Operations & Marketing at BSG. “They helped narrow down the right speakers and amps for every zone and were always quick to support us when needed.”
Optimal Audio’s Up 6 ceiling speakers with back cans were positioned wherever suspended ceilings allowed. When ceiling mounts weren’t possible, Optimal Audio Cuboid 6 were placed to take full advantage of the 130° x 120° dispersion, ideal for coverage without audio spill.

Driving the system were Optimal Audio’s SmartAmp 10 and SmartAmp 20 amplifiers, featuring onboard DSP for streamlined configuration and balanced performance across all zones. To enable remote positioning of the amps safely away from the busy play zone, BSG deployed a Dante audio network from the building’s existing cabling infrastructure.
Each of the 12 tightly focused zones were configured to deliver intelligible, energetic audio without bleed. The audio ecosystem was set up to be controlled centrally via a wall panel at reception, with additional panels positioned in key locations. Paging and emergency messaging can cut through instantly when needed.

“Clarity and control were essential,” adds Kerridge. “This isn’t just about loud music – it’s about keeping the space safe, connected, and enjoyable.”

Jungle Playground was a significant installation for the group, best known for its live event production. “This project really mattered to us,” Kerridge reflects. “It’s helping change perceptions – showing that we’re just as capable in integration as we are in production. And we’ve got the right people and the right partners to do it.”

The benefit for the venue was a crystal-clear, zoneable system that staff can operate with confidence. Jungle Adventure Play Centre now has a sonic setup as dynamic as the kids who visit it. So, whether it’s a birthday bash or corporate chaos, the Optimal Audio ecosystem ensures the sound is punchy, reliable, and easy to manage – so the team on the ground can focus on what they do best: create a jungle full of joy.

DENMARK: Relocating to a refurbished commercial bakery in Torshavn, Faroe Islands, Burn Fitness wanted to raise its audio game with a proven solution for its Spinning Room. With sound quality essential, the fitness centre owners selected AV integrator, AV LUX. The brief was to deliver an audio solution with a simple user experience for the spinning instructors, in addition to energy and atmosphere in the room. AV LUX chose the Optimal Audio ecosystem for its balance of quality, ease of control, and cost-effectiveness. 

Adopting the old bakery’s original layout, the fitness machines dominate what was the storage room, the hand equipment occupies the old oven room whilst the spinning room utilises an adjoining space. The compact room features a low roof at the front – where the instructors’ platform and the video screen are positioned – that slopes upwards to give more headroom at the back. 

Hans Andor Johannesen, MD of AV LUX explained, “The sound in this room needed to be better than they had before. With Optimal Audio, we were able to deliver high-quality coverage throughout the space without overwhelming the front-row riders. The WebApp made zone control intuitive, and the whole system just works.” 

Familiar with various commercial audio systems, the team at AV LUX opted for Optimal Audio due to its superior performance-to-price ratio and its ecosystem approach and simplicity of integration. Whilst other systems were considered, Optimal Audio’s clarity, consistency, and smart control options won out. 

To accommodate the sloping roof in the spinning room, Johannesen specified four Optimal Audio Cuboid 8 loudspeakers, positioning two at the front, either side of the large screen and instructor platform, and two further back to fill the back half of the room. Johannesen clarifies, “We needed the two extra speakers for the back as the sound from the front, with its low roof, didnt reach. With this layout all the customers in the room enjoy even audio coverage. 

An Optimal Audio Zone 8P provided the necessary multi-channel amplification. The channels were bridged strategically to power the left and right front speakers, the rearfills, and a Martin Audio SX110 low-profile subwoofer tucked beneath the instructor’s stage. 

Conveniently situated by the instructor’s lead bike, an elegantly wall-mounted Optimal Audio ZonePad 1 hands full control of the system to the instructor, so the class is run just as it should be. An Audio Technica wireless headset microphone is plugged in via the local control panel which allows the instructor to easily balance voice and music levels in real time. 

The control system features Optimal Audio’s WebApp, enabling intuitive sound management directly from the instructor bike. Music playback comes via an Argon Audio streaming box, while HDMI connection from the wall-mounted screen delivers immersive ambient audio – including virtual cycling routes with road and environmental sounds – straight through the system. 

The team at AV LUX appreciate the practicality of Optimal Audio and its straightforward installation. Johannesen confirmed, “We’ve worked with a number of commercial audio systems and while some offer more features, Optimal Audio gives you what you need at a price that makes sense. The system was easy to configure, the client was happy immediately, and we haven’t had a single issue since installation.” 

AV LUX takes its measure of success, however, from another happy customer. With the audio system at the gym running smoothly since installation, Johannesen confides, “The client remarked on the dramatic improvement in sound quality and usability compared to previous systems. They’re thrilled,” adding, “And when you compare price and performance, Optimal Audio delivers more than expected. It’s modern, simple, and sounds great—exactly what this space needed.”