Category: Optimal Audio

CHINA: Located in the bustling city of Nanjing, Weibi Music Bar has installed Optimal Audio’s Cuboid series to power sound for regular live performances of various genres, including jazz, blues and rock.

The owner was looking for a sound system to accurately reproduce the performance of live bands and singers and turned to an Optimal Audio solution to create a new space that integrates music, art and technology. The Cuboid 10 and Cuboid 12 speakers have been wall-mounted in different areas of the bar to provide uniform coverage. Due to the venue’s small size, the compact form factor of the models has enabled them to integrate into the space without affecting its aesthetic. The system has also been fine tuned to ensure clear tones and impactful sound in every area.

In addition to great visitor feedback, the return rate of customers has also increased significantly since installing the system. Furthermore, the venue has also attracted more well-known musicians and bands for performances.

US: Based in Laguna Hills, California, dB Media Services is a provider of audio and video solutions for installation and live events in a wide variety of settings, including conference rooms, houses of worship, corporate events and hospitality venues. Specialising in high quality AV solutions for commercial premises, dB Media Services has been a trusted supplier in the region since 2005.
 
When new owners OC Local acquired the long established The Pizza Store in Laguna Hills, they engaged Dan Burdett of dB Media Services to provide a new audio system that would deliver premium quality at a competitive price. dB had previously tidied up a third-party install at one of the restaurant group’s other venues and OC Local were keen to achieve the same audio standards for their remodelled new venue. Dan recommended, designed and installed an Optimal Audio system for The Pizza Store:

SA: Founded in Austria during the 1950s, Blum is now a global leader in the manufacture of furniture fittings. Its international network spans 120 markets worldwide, with manufacturing plants and sales offices providing a range of services for cabinet makers, the furniture industry, and hardware distributors.
 
Located in Sandown, Johannesburg, Blum’s South African branch recently approached audio-visual specialists Audiosure with a view to enhancing its space with a new audio system for background music, as well as adding advanced AV connectivity.
 
Audiosure’s Solutions team installed a zoned Optimal Audio-centric system to meet the brief. The ability to switch between various sources and zones where customers browse was an essential requirement, as was the ability to support visual playback to its team or clients via a projector and wireless microphone across all or just selected spaces. Ease of use was very important, as was the need for an aesthetically pleasing appearance in a high-end environment.
 
Audiosure’s John Greaves designed a system that could be deployed as seamlessly as possible and could be controlled from a smartphone or tablet. An Optimal Audio Zone 4 controller with DSP and WebApp controls the overall system, which includes third party speakers in some zones, with Optimal Audio Cuboid 8 and Sub 10 units (powered by SmartAmp 30) deployed to support presentations and events in the main area.
 
John Greaves comments:
 
“We kept the system small, efficient, and simple to use, with the Zone 4 allowing everything to be controlled by the client through WebApp via a phone or tablet. The controls in front of the operator are exactly the ones they need – nothing more, nothing less. The Cuboid 8s also allowed us to gain a great level for presentations and video playback. Optimal Audio proved to be the perfect fit for this installation, delivering excellent results for a very satisfied customer.”

US: Mezzo Calzones is a brand new eatery in the Southern Californian city of Anaheim. Specialising in calzones, beer and wings, and located close to the Anaheim Angels stadium, the restaurant is certain to become the favourite haunt of Major League Baseball fans attending games at the venue. Sports-focused, with multiple TV screens showing a variety of events, Mezzo engaged IT/AV specialist integrator Hosted Connection to install all its IT/network and AV systems.

Hosted Connection enjoys a strong reputation in the region, having supplied customised solutions to businesses for more than a decade. Sales Engineer Josh Rezaeio oversaw the project:

“Audio and video are relatively recent additions to our remit, so we consulted with expert Jeff Miranda (then at Allied ProTech) about delivering a high-quality, zoned audio system for Mezzo which would be easy to control for busy staff. His extensive knowledge and experience were instrumental in helping us deploy the right products. He recommend an Optimal Audio system and having taken into account the layout of the TV screens, specified the equipment required for the audio and video elements.”

Host Connection installed a system based round an Optimal Audio Zone 4, 4-zone audio controller with DSP and WebApp, which comprised twelve Up 6 two-way passive, full-range 6” ceiling speakers, and two Cuboid 5 two-way, full-range, passive 5” on-wall loudspeakers, driven by a single SmartAmp 30, 4 x 250W amplifier with DSP. As well as control via WebApp on mobile devices, a ZonePad 4 wall controller was installed to provide staff with intuitive and simple access to the essential controls for the system.

Josh continues:

“Optimal Audio has been incredibly easy to work with, and we’ll continue to use the ecosystem for future projects. At Mezzo, the user-friendly and highly configurable system was very easy to install and delivered outstanding sound quality throughout the venue, with perfect clarity both inside and out. The client loves the system’s performance and ease of use.”

UK: With six gym locations across East Anglia, the New Revolution fitness chain offers members 24 hour access and a huge range of classes from spinning to Boxfit and yoga each week. The company’s newest facility in Lowestoft recently underwent a significant renovation and upgrade programme, extending to the gym’s audio system.

Responsible for the AV aspects of the project, Norwich-based Hughes Electrical were tasked with addressing specific concerns with the existing audio offering. Hughes ultimately specified an array of Optimal Audio products to significantly improve performance, as the company’s Karl Topley explains…

“We’ve been working with New Revolution for around five years and as part of our contract review, we asked for feedback on the previous audio system at the Lowestoft venue. With customer expectations growing as far as audio is concerned, New Revolution had regularly received comments that general clarity was poor and that bass levels in particular were lacking.

“With music playing an important role in creating the atmosphere of a fitness space, it was clear that these were critical issues that needed addressing with the new system.”

A total of 16 Optimal Audio Cuboid 5 full range, 5” loudspeakers were selected for the final audio solution, chosen for their combination of exceptional sound quality, remarkable bass response and diminutive form factor. Mountable in either landscape or portrait orientation the compact, two-way Cuboid 5 offers flexible, discreet installation options.

UK: Situated close to the O2 Arena and Excel Exhibition centre in London, Crowne Plaza Docklands is a 210-bedroom hotel featuring the brand’s new Fremantle Bar & Restaurant concept. Creating the Australasian-inspired all-day restaurant involved a significant recent upgrade to existing audio infrastructure, a project tasked to Uxbridge-based AV specialist Middlesex Sound.

Briefed to deliver a high-quality, zoned audio system that met the hotel’s specific aesthetic requirements, Middlesex Sound supplied and installed a turnkey solution from Optimal Audio, as company director Darrel Olivier explains…

“There were four separate zones we needed to cater for,” he begins, “the main bar, the restaurant, a private dining area and terrace. It was very important to deliver consistent, high-quality audio across the spaces, so we employed 16 Optimal Audio Cuboid 6 speakers which ensured the coverage we needed.

“The Cuboid 6 was an ideal fit for this project because it represents excellent value, allows for very flexible mounting and positioning options with the included flying hardware and sounds extremely good. The fact that the speaker is available in white as well as black meant they fit with the Fremantle design aesthetic too.”

Alongside the Cuboid 6 speakers, a pair of Cuboid 6TX models (featuring the same two-way, full range, 6.5” driver/1” silk dome tweeter design as the Cuboid 6, with additional 60w transformer for use on 70 or 100v taps) and two Cuboid 5 speakers also featured in the installation.

AUSTRALIA: Northside Wizards is a successful basketball team based in Brisbane which runs sections for men, women, and juniors. Competing in the NBL1 Central, Australia’s second division basketball league, the team’s home fixtures take place at the Northside Indoor Sports Centre in Zillmere, where the Wizards recently took steps to improve the game-day experience of fans by improving the audio provision on their main court.
 
The Wizards have been clients of Brisbane-based supplier Brisbane Sound Group (BSG) for more than twenty-five years, and consulted with the audio, visual and lighting specialists about the best way forward. With its vastly experienced sales, install and hire departments, BSG is a one-stop shop that can meet the audio needs of the widest possible range of settings. BSG Installation and Project Manager, Josiah Kerridge, took account of the venue and designed a system based on Optimal Audio commercial loudspeakers. He takes up the story:
 
“Following some discussion at games during 2023, the club asked us to propose a competitively priced system that would both enhance the game-day experience and be easy to operate. We’d recently been introduced to Optimal Audio by Audio Brands Australia and could see straight away that the Cuboid Series would be the perfect fit for what would be a fairly challenging brief.
 
“It’s quite a reverberant space with limited rigging positions at a height of around 10 metres above the court – we had to cover ground level seating as well as a single section of tiered seating. An average attendance for an NBL1 game in the court is more than a thousand fans. The Cuboid  loudspeakers fell within the budget, had the required SPL for the throw, and fitted the spec in terms of size and weight. Their multiple rigging points also allowed us plenty of flexibility.”

UK manufacturer Optimal Audio has announced the launch of its Party Series of on-wall loudspeakers, designed specifically for the flourishing entertainment and KTV market – China’s favourite pastime.

With a professional appearance and comprising 10”, 12” and 15” full range, two-way passive loudspeakers, Party Series delivers rich and detailed sound and can be flexibly mounted for simple installation.

Premier KTV rooms demand superior sound with emphasis on warmth, clarity and smooth response, supporting the vocal presence required to elevate the karaoke experience. Each stylishly designed Party enclosure provides impressive bass and mid-band, with the clarity of vocal and high note projection essential for the discerning karaoke performer.

Significantly for some KTV rooms where space or restrictions preclude subwoofer support, Party Series loudspeakers are rear-ported, coupling their low-frequency output to walls or ceilings to produce enhanced bass output that can be felt without the need for additional subwoofers.

Optimal Audio’s Amp series is perfect amplifier partner for Party, delivering high SPL for many hours, whilst the internal crossover network technology protects the low and high frequency drivers, assuring a reliable and uninterrupted Karaoke experience.

UK: Located in Northampton, Old House bar and restaurant, a popular destination pub in the town for more than a decade, recently underwent a complete refurbishment. The venue comprises a ground-floor bar and spacious courtyard garden, where patrons can enjoy resident DJs, live performers and televised sport, whilst upstairs, its restaurant offers gastro-pub favourites in beautifully designed surroundings. To complement his investment in the Old House’s Timothy Oulton-designed interior, owner Sunny Kooner opted to upgrade its audio system to better meet the requirements of this multi-faceted venue.
 
Sunny contacted experienced AV specialist Cosmic Electronics of Harlow with a brief to design and supply a competitively-priced system that could deliver premium audio throughout the venue, whilst blending in with its carefully designed aesthetic. Cosmic recommended an Optimal Audio solution, as CEO Mark Damon explains:
 
“We were familiar with the venue as we’d installed its existing system more than ten years ago. There are some large spaces to cover, as well as a variety of uses. From background music in the dining areas to DJ sets and live sport in the downstairs areas, the venue was looking for warm, present, high quality audio throughout. We’ve carried out a number of recent installs with Optimal Audio products and been very impressed – this job was another very good fit for the brand.”

UK: The King’s Head is popular pub in the village of Bwlchgwyn, not far from Wrexham in North Wales. As well as serving high-quality food and drink, the pub stages a variety of events, ranging through karaoke, live performance, bingo, televised sport and quiz nights. Providing a valuable focus for the community, owners Eddie and Abbie always strive to deliver the best customer experience possible, and recently took the decision to upgrade the pub’s sound system, which they no longer considered fit for purpose.

Specialists Pivotal Sound & Lighting of Wrexham were engaged to design and supply a solution for The King’s Head. Pivotal cover every facet of audio for live events, hire and installation, and their vastly experienced team has a reputation for excellence across the region. Pivotal recommended an Optimal Audio system to meet the pub’s varied programme.

Darren Hughes, Director at Pivotal Sound & Lighting describes the brief:

“The existing system comprised a number of loudspeakers driven by a home cinema amplifier which was running as a single zone, including in the outside area. Given the range of events that the pub hosts, a zoned system was essential. This would allow for example, a ‘loud zone’ around the bar area, a ‘quieter zone’ in the snug, or perhaps keep the outside area audio-free during karaoke or DJ sets. They also wanted the facility to input audio from their TV screens.  Ultimately, it was about having better quality audio and better control.”