Sound Division designs A-list Audio for Zeta Bar
Harman Pro UK has recently collaborated with Sound Division to provide a host of Harman products for the new sound system in the exclusive Zeta Bar at the Hilton Park Lane Hotel.
The popular venue is on London’s ultra trendy bar circuit for the world’s glitterati. Host to countless A-listers, London’s socialites and VIPs of all descriptions, the Zeta Bar’s flowing new Feng Shui orientated interior design needed a sound system to match the elegance and chic of the environment.
Sound Division was approached by manager John Darling to create a new sound design when the Zeta Bar underwent a recent refurbishment that included ripping out the old audio system. A keen JBL user, Sound Division’s David Graham states that this was his “obvious” choice for speakers, and also specified BSS control, Crown amplification and an AKG radio mic system to complete the installation.
Graham worked in close consultation with Harman Pro UK’s Andy Duffield on the project, and the pair pooled their extensive knowledge of sound design for high profile nightspots to produce the best and most appropriate audio for the Zeta Bar. The positive sonic results have been immediately noticed and commented on by clients, visitors and staff.
The main bar area is a long narrow room, which opens out at one end into a series of smaller more intimate screened off seated areas, with a cosy dancefloor off to one side, complete with DJ set up. It’s contemporarily decorated and furnished in tasteful, understated and calm hues, and it was important that the aesthetics of any visible speakers matched this vibe, so discrete white JBL’s were used throughout.
Sound was designed to fill each area with the most uniform coverage.
Two JBL Control 29AV and five Control 28 enclosures are used in the main lounge. The dance floor utilizes four ceiling mounted Control 29 AVs to ramp up the party atmosphere. The reception and DJ booth area features two Control 28s, and the chill out area to the left of the reception features another two Control 28s. Cocoon, the Zeta’s small exclusive VIP lounge is fitted with discreet Control 25AV speakers.
New Crown XLS402 and XL500 amplifiers were installed, chosen, according to Graham as a “Proven industry standard installation product”. The system was set up and EQ’d using a BSS Soundweb ‘Jellyfish’ controller.
The DJ booth utilises an AKG WMS400 Diversity hand-held radio mic system, one of the easiest to use and most flexible on the market.
Before the Zeta Bar’s re-launch, the whole system was commissioned, tuned and optimised by Harman Pro UK’s acoustician Tom Williams, ready for its first event, a movie premier after-party.
David Graham comments, “Once again, it was great working with the Harman team and their products to create a fabulous sound and a streamlined and integrated design and installation solution.”
Harman’s Andy Duffield adds, “Our first aim is to provide installers and their clients a great choice without compromise on technical specifications or quality. This also allows us to fully support a system which is Harman Pro integrated. The Zeta Bar exemplifies the first class achievements that our unified brands can provide in the hands of an experienced installer like Sound Division.”
December 2004