Category: Optimal Audio

Optimal Audio debuts HUSH (INS) bar in Shanghai’s Xintiandi, offering a haven of tranquility with superior sound technology. Optimal Audio’s Cuboid loudspeakers were the speaker of choice for the new venue.

HUSH (INS) bar isn’t just about superior sound equipment—it’s a musical sanctuary. Featuring regular performances by both local and international DJs and musicians, the bar offers a rich tapestry of music styles and performances, inviting guests to lose themselves in the beats. The bar takes pride in creating a comfortable music environment, with its stylish decor and carefully engineered sound waves ensuring an immersive listening experience, whether you choose to unwind by the dance floor or settle near the bar.

Richer Sounds Custom Install team designs and supplies Optimal Audio system for install by Hi-Tech AV Ltd at Greater Manchester venue.

Georgia Browns in the town of Hindley, Greater Manchester is a destination sports and entertainment venue. Recently re-furbished and re-launched, and featuring a large media wall, the venue also hosts multiple additional screens showing a wide range of sports, as well as staging live bands, DJ sets and karaoke. The team at Georgia Brown gave careful consideration to its technical needs, and having invested in its media wall through Richer Sounds, consulted with the company’s Custom Installation design team over the best way forward for its audio requirements.

Richer Sounds recommended an Optimal Audio system to deliver the venue’s requirement for background and party level music. Custom Installation Manager Tim Smith and his team designed the system in conjunction with the venue, and engaged experienced subcontractor James Mahon of Hi-Tech AV Ltd to install the system. Tim felt that for a large space like Georgia Browns, an Optimal Audio solution would reliably provide the necessary quality at high SPL to meet the all-round challenge. The install was James Mahon’s first experience of the brand:

“Right out of the box, you could tell they were going to be good. The build quality looked superb and the speakers duly delivered sound to match.”

Two Cuboid 15 and two Cuboid 10 passive on-wall loudspeakers were installed in the demanding areas of the room close to the stage, with a further eight Cuboid 8 units taking care of the rest of the space. A single Sub 15 and a pair of Sub 10 units were discreetly located beneath seating areas to deliver the low end. The system is driven by three SmartAmp 30 amplifiers with integral DSP.

The Pirate Kindergarten in the German city of Bergisch Gladbach places a strong emphasis on the part played by music in children’s development. Music is a constant theme during activities at the day care centre and when the Kindergarten’s team agreed that its ageing sound system could no longer meet their ambitions, they engaged audio experts Starpoint to supply a replacement. As well as delivering high quality audio throughout the Kindergarten, the new system needed to be easy to install and operate.

Bastian Sauer of Starpoint recommended an Optimal Audio solution:

“We listened to all the requirements and quickly concluded that Optimal Audio offered the best solution for this application. Working with the customer we specified the system and assisted them with programming the Zone unit, leaving them to carry out the installation work themselves without any problems.”

The system at The Pirate Kindergarten consists of ten Optimal Audio Cuboid 5 loudspeakers and a Zone 8P controller. Cuboid 5 is a discreet high performance two-way, full range, passive 5” on-wall loudspeaker which has portrait or landscape mounting options. Zone 8P is a zonal audio controller with DSP, amplification and WebApp. This single compact unit is the beating heart of an efficient multi-zoned system, and allows users to independently allocate sources across up to 8 configurable zones within a venue. Each zone can be configured to do precisely what is required by the use of the intuitive WebApp. Installation and operation is thus straightforward and highly cost-effective. The Kindergarten system comprises 4 zones controlled from 2 different rooms.

As part of its quest to simplify the world of commercial audio for integrators and end-users alike, UK commercial audio manufacturer Optimal Audio continues to evolve its ecosystem, and the very latest developments see updates to its WebApp and SmartAmp firmware.

WebApp unlocks the technology and capability behind Optimal Audio’s Zone series, providing the foundation to deliver efficient, high-quality multi-zoned commercial sound systems. Compatible with any device, WebApp makes system set-up straightforward and once completed, the venue staff can then be presented with a simple user interface which allows them to easily operate the system.

WebApp 1.2 sees a number of additions designed to make system configuration more powerful, including the ability to add system settings or preferences to a timed routine, allowing end-users in busy settings to remain focused on their work, rather than making adjustments to their audio system. An example of this might be the introduction of a subwoofer setting in the evening to help increase the party mood.

System management is also made easier through the ability to upload and download system files, so they could easily be transported to another site as necessary. Finally, WebApp 1.2 introduces a system diagram generator with DRAW.IO compatibility, enabling system integrators to easily share an overview of the planned system.

All the features of WebApp 1.2 are also available in the offline WebApp Desktop Demo which is compatible with Mac and PC. This allows installers and system integrators to get familiar with all the features of WebApp, without needing to be connected to a Zone, but also enables their ability to start designing systems, setting up routines and customising controls to use at a later stage.

Firmware for Optimal Audio’s SmartAmp series is also released, including settings for its latest loudspeaker addition, Cuboid 6. Cuboid 6, a two-way, full range, passive, 6.5″ loudspeaker which also has a transformer variant, starts to ship from the middle of October and SmartAmp firmware V1.10 is released in anticipation.

Matt Rowe, Engineering Manager, stated:

“As users are quickly recognising, WebApp is the secret sauce of Optimal Audio’s eco-system, and with this latest release we continue to extend the possibilities for the system integrator while improving the simplicity that can be presented to the end-user. It underlines our commitment to ensure WebApp is the definitive set up and control platform for small to medium multi-zone venues.”

Explore WebApp 1.2

The function room of the Community Centre in Assentoft in Denmark is used for a wide variety of events, with meetings, formal dinners, parties and screenings of sports events all taking place in the venue. The facility’s management team recently decided to invest in a new audio system as they felt an upgrade of their facilities was necessary to improve the experience of the different groups using the facility.

The system in place was more than 25 years old and site manager Steffen Larsen engaged installer Simon Voigt Laursen of AVDEO to supply a solution. The project’s aim was to deliver superb audio quality from an easy to operate, zoned system.

Simon designed a complete Optimal Audio solution based on the Zone 4P 4-zone audio controller with DSP, amplification and WebApp. He comments:

“It is an absolute pleasure to work with this product. The Zone 4P DSP is the easiest I have ever installed! With this quality of technology and ease of setup, you’d also normally expect a much higher price point. It’s extremely intuitive to setup and configure, with the result that the whole configuration for the Community Centre was done within an hour.

“I like the fact that there are two Mic inputs on the back of the Zone 4P, with easy to configure basic EQ. It seems like everything is designed to make the installation/configuration process easy for the installer.”

Site Manager Steffen Larsen was effusive in praise:

“Just as we have a very wide range of applications to cover with the system, so we have a wide range of users who have varying levels of technical skill. The ease of use of the Zone 4P and WebApp removes any complications – everyone can use the system with confidence, and it sounds fantastic!”

Two Optimal Audio Cuboid 8 loudspeakers and a SmartAmp 30 amplifier were supplemented by five ADORN loudspeakers from sister company Martin Audio. The presets for both Cuboid and ADORN units are contained within the Optimal Audio WebApp, once again making for easy installation.

Simon’s view of the Optimal Audio loudspeakers was consistent with his appreciation of the Zone4:

“The 8-inch Cuboid 8 speakers are easy to install with the U brackets and suit the room really well, while the presets in the SmartAmp 30 make the configuration of the speaker very easy. As well as being wonderfully easy to install and use, the system sounds amazing and the customer is very happy.”

As part of its quest to simplify the world of commercial audio for integrators and end-users alike, UK commercial audio manufacturer Optimal Audio continues to evolve and expand its ecosystem. The very latest developments see the introduction of its latest loudspeakers, the Cuboid 6 and 6TX.

The popularity of Optimal Audio’s Cuboid 3, 3TX, 5 and 5TX models has led directly to the release of the Cuboid 6 loudspeaker and 6TX with its powerful, high-grade 60W transformer for improved 70/100V line operation.

With an impressive 60W (AES) and 240W (peak) rating, these models deliver an audio output of 107dB (continuous) and 113dB (peak). With an IP54 rating and frequency response range of 90Hz to 20kHz, the Cuboid 6 and 6TX are an ideal solution for outdoor spaces where there is often a greater requirement for enhanced low end.

Managing Director Dom Harter comments:

“We’re delighted to complete the popular Cuboid series with the Cuboid 6 and 6TX – these new additions extend the brand’s indoor and outdoor applications and will continue to further the success of Optimal Audio in the commercial sector.”

The Optimal Audio ecosystem, complete with these new developments, can be explored at the company’s forthcoming Open Days which take place at its High Wycombe HQ on September 6^th, 7^th and 8^th. The events will provide the perfect opportunity for those passionate about commercial audio technology to learn, network and grow their knowledge while enjoying a comprehensive tour of Optimal Audio’s products in the company’s multipurpose ‘venue’, The Optimal.

For more information about Cuboid loudspeakers:
https://generationav.net/products/optimal-audio-series/loudspeakers/cuboid/

Tenpin Dudley is one of 51 entertainment centres in the UK run by Tenpin Ltd. Although the popular venue’s primary focus is on its 28 bowling lanes, additional facilities include a licensed bar, arcade machines, live sports TV coverage, soft play area, pool tables, and 2 karaoke rooms which can accommodate up to ten customers each.

Always seeking to improve the experience of its guests, Tenpin wished to upgrade the audio system at the venue with a focus on improving control of distributed background audio across its different zones. Experienced integrator and regular Tenpin supplier Perfect Octave was engaged to deliver a high-quality, best-fit solution that would offer simple, intuitive operation for the venue’s staff.

Perfect Octave’s Peter Sheppard recommended an Optimal Audio solution:

“I discovered Optimal Audio’s products having attended one of their open days not long after the brand launched. Obviously, the connection with Martin Audio as part of the Focusrite group was a good indication that this new commercial audio brand would be of a very high standard, and I wasn’t disappointed. The Optimal Audio Zone 8 controller was the perfect choice for the Dudley site.”

In multi-purpose venues, such as hotels or event spaces, good sound system design plays a crucial role. It not only enhances the ambiance but also facilitates clear communication, whether it’s music, speeches, or announcements. At Optimal Audio, we recognise the significance of designing products that provide installers the flexibility to meet the unique needs of any venue, ensuring that every sound is delivered with precision and clarity.

Keep it simple

When designing a sound system for a multi-purpose venue, ease of use is paramount. Optimal Audio’s WebApp, hosted on a webserver within Zone, provides a user-friendly interface that allow anyone, regardless of technical expertise, to operate the sound system effortlessly. It can be accessed from any device with a web browser and empowers users to control music playback, adjust volume levels, and manage different audio zones with simplicity. By mirroring the familiarity of smartphones and tablets, our web-based control solution provides an intuitive experience for users, reducing the learning curve and giving venue staff a sound system that is easy to use.

Keep your staff focused on the job in hand

One of the standout features of Zone’s WebApp is its powerful routines functionality. Routines serve as a convenient way to store and recall specific settings for regularly occurring events. Whether it’s source selection or volume level, routines play a vital role in ensuring a multi-purpose venue can adapt quickly.

Matt Rowe, Optimal Audio Head Engineer comments:

“We’ve witnessed venues and installers leveraging routines to cater to different event types. For instance, in a multi-purpose venue that offers space rentals for various functions, there may be occasional requests for sports events. By creating a dedicated routine that automatically selects the HDMI source and plays the sound from the TV, staff members can effortlessly fulfil such requests. All they need to do is navigate to the routines section and simply click on a configured routine”.

Great sound quality without breaking the bank

The design of a commercial audio sound system is often accompanied by budget considerations. Optimal Audio’s product offering is cost-effective without compromising audio quality. Our IP54 rated products, such as the Cuboid 3 and 5, demonstrate how smaller speakers can produce remarkable sound, while larger speakers in the Cuboid range offer exceptional performance at competitive prices. Our simplified offering of carefully selected products helps venues achieve outstanding results without breaking the bank.

Let’s summarise

Designing sound systems for multi-purpose venues is a complex task that goes beyond selecting amplifiers and speakers. Optimal Audio specialises in creating products that are flexible and excel in variety of multi-purpose applications. With a focus on cost-effectiveness and user-friendliness, our commercial audio eco-system helps create seamless experiences for any multi-purpose venue, without the control headaches of conventional commercial audio systems.

Take WebApp for a spin

For the first time, our WebApp is available as an offline tool for you to get more familiar with its power and functionality. Download our Desktop Demo for PC and Mac and see for yourself how WebApp is revolutionising commercial audio.

Cosmic Electronics installs zoned Optimal Audio system at London’s latest culinary hotspot…

Named for the iconic Celtic warrior queen, and located in the heart of London’s thriving culinary scene in Battersea, recently-opened restaurant Boudica is a stylishly presented venue catering for brunch, lunch, dinner and drinks. Transitioning through the day from a quiet chilled space to a lively cocktail bar with top DJs, Boudica is focused on delivering classic comfort food with international and contemporary twists in an immersive, luxurious setting.

Music will play a key role in precisely establishing the right ambience for Boudica’s changing moods, and with audio reinforcement in mind, co-founder Ed Allingham sought advice from Mark Damon, Director at leading installers Cosmic Electronics.

Damon recommended an Optimal Audio solution for Boudica, having been impressed with its commercial audio offering since attending the company’s launch in 2021:

“The Optimal Audio package caught my attention from the off – its emphasis on simplifying commercial audio for the benefit of installers and end-users, whilst maintaining audio quality, was very appealing. Having used elements of the ecosystem on several jobs now, it’s certainly lived up to its billing. When the Boudica project arose, I had no hesitation in recommending Optimal Audio.”

Boudica operates across two floors with the main downstairs restaurant comprising a bar to the left of the space, rear seating and side seating, while the upstairs space is reserved for private dining. The brief required a zoned audio system that could meet the varying requirements of the spaces, from low-key background music at one end of the spectrum to DJ sets at the other.

The system was divided into 6 zones, namely bar, dining area, entrance, upstairs dining, terrace and toilets, and deployed an Optimal Audio Zone 8P at its heart. The Zone 8P is an 8-zone audio controller with DSP, amplification and WebApp. The unit incorporates 8 channels of 100W integrated amplification at 4ohms or 8ohms. The onboard WebApp unlocks the full potential of Zone, providing easy access to EQs, speaker presets and time-of-day routines, and is compatible with any device to make for a straightforward setup.

Cosmic installed 6 x Cuboid 8 two-way, full-range, passive 8” on-wall loudspeakers mounted on UB1-B horizontal brackets, and 3 x Sub 15 high-power subwoofers for the bar and restaurant, with 2 x Up 6 two-way passive full-range 6” ceiling speakers for the upstairs room. A single Up 6 was deployed in each of the venue’s two rest rooms. The system is powered by 2 x Optimal Audio SmartAmp 30 (4 x 250W amplifier with integral DSP).

Any hospitality venue can use music to communicate the feeling it seeks to evoke—whether it’s a soothing retreat from busy daily life or a contemporary concept venue. The right music and speaker deployment leaves no doubt about it. It will help cement the desired image and reinforce your brand ethos from the very moment of entry, until your customers leave.

Sound, like all the other senses, is a means of establishing an emotional bond with customers. In 1982, Milliman and colleagues conducted research in New York City to examine how music tempo influences buying behaviour. The study found that playing slow music resulted in customers spending more time in the store and a substantial increase (32 percent) in gross sales, as opposed to when fast music was played. By creating a comfortable ambiance that encourages customers to linger and make more purchases, mellow, down-tempo music generates more revenue.

Music triggers a chain reaction within the human body, leading to physical and emotional effects, but it can also trigger strong memories. The first chord of a favourite song can transport a person to an earlier time and translate those emotions to the present. Spending time and budget on décor, furnishings and lighting is important, but many forget about the impact that a great sound-system and the right music can have on sales.

Let music make money for your business

As a business owner in the hospitality industry– be it a hotelier, a restaurant manager or owner of a chain of bars, there is a great opportunity to create the right ambiance, which is both aligned to your brand, as well as will enhance your overall guest experience.

Ambiance is a key ingredient in the delivery of exceptional service, which in turns generates customer loyalty and revenue. If you get this right, you open the door to a fruitful relationship with your customers and partners.

Sound is crucial in setting the exact tone for a space. Loud, buzzy, energetic music immediately gives a vigour and excitement to the air and therefore guests are more exaggerated, flamboyant, and full of energy. Laid-back, sultry music sets a tone for indulgent evenings but at a more relaxed pace. Music is essential to set the pace of the experience.

Stand out from the competition

Businesses are regularly on the lookout for innovative ways to boost their brand for it to stand out, often the simpler, the better. Usually when thinking of the components that create a brand, or customer experience, visual elements such as logo, signage, colours, textures and even smell are considered.

The role of music in establishing an identity is too often overlooked, especially as it’s a cost-effective and direct way to establish desired outcomes.

Music is probably one of the more subconscious inspirations of interior design. A lot of the same elements of interior design are found in music: rhythm, harmony, repetition, movement. Music and design are very much connected. And in the same way a musician will combine all of these musical techniques to create sound-based ambience, designers combine design elements and principles to create physical ambience. Then, when combined, the two really complement one another.

Creating a good sound environment for your guests

Sound affects us 24 hours a day and the difference between a pleasant, well-designed sound environment and an unpleasant, noisy sound environment can be crucial. Both when it comes to the overall experience of the space, but also when it comes to health.

But getting the right background music and ambiance is one thing, what about the sound system itself? It doesn’t matter if they’re playing your favourite song if it sounds ‘tinny’, ‘harsh’ or just ‘incoherent’. Equally, if you’ve invested money into a good sound system, but it takes your staff away from the important jobs at hand because the system is too complex to manage, then it just creating more headaches.

This is where Optimal Audio excels. Ideal for small to medium sized multi-zoned hospitality installations, our streamlined portfolio makes selecting the right product, quick and simple.

Robin Dibble, Optimal Audio technical support engineer comments:

“Ideally, a noise level under 70 decibels in the restaurant is pleasant to the ears and ideal for conversations. Louder music will tend to have a negative impact on the comfort for the customers. Excessively loud music playing in the restaurant is a significant mood spoiler and makes it impossible for the customers to indulge in a conversation.

For bars and pubs, the audio system should be able to sustain between 75 and 90 decibels comfortably, sometimes more. During the day background levels are mostly what is required to allow comfortable conversation. As the day progresses towards the night, venues will want to increase levels to build atmosphere and to allow music to remain at a comfortable level during busy times or become a significant part of the evening’s entertainment.”

Let’s summarise

The right music and a high quality, reliable, and easy-to-use sound system is a crucial ingredient to a successful hospitality venue.

When you choose an Optimal Audio sound system you are choosing a product that will work equally in the background or foreground and provide an ease of management that means you and your staff are focussed on your customers.

The Optimal Audio eco-system

Whether venue staff or audio installers, our mission is to make commercial audio products that are easy to use, affordable and sound great.

Optimal Audio offers a range of on wall, ceiling, and subwoofer loudspeakers that produce warm, coherent and rich sound. Designed by world-class engineers, they offer premium sound quality at a cost-conscious price point. The type of speakers required may be dependent on the type of business they’ll be used for.

Furthermore, our Zone controllers provides the foundation to deliver efficient, high-quality multi-zoned sound systems. When combined with WebApp you unlock the full potential of our loudspeakers via onboard EQs, speaker presets, structured time of day routines and so much more.

This is critical, not to just ensure the sound performance is at its optimum, but to also provide full flexibility for the venue for when maybe music starts and finishes in a given zone and at what the sound level is in those respective areas.