Soho speakeasy installs Nexo sound system
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System control was also provided by Nexo’s DTD digital controllers and powered by DTD amplifiers.
AV design company Diamond AV specified and installed the system, which extends across three levels, including the double-height main restaurant. More than 30x ID24i cabinets have been used, carrying the same look/feel throughout the different parts of the venue. The tiny yet versatile double 4” cabinets handle a background music programme in the restaurant, jazz and club tracks in the lounge, and guest DJ mixes in a small VIP salon.
Guy Ayres is the technical director of Diamond AV who was responsible for speccing and programming the system: he is pleased with the installation, which gives Sophie’s Steakhouse three high-spec flexible systems for an affordable price. “The secret is that the ID24 cabinets are 16 ohms, which is a godsend. Using these 16ohm units in conjunction with the new DTD1.3 amps allows me to get maximum use of the processing – the whole system runs on just three amplifiers.
“In the main restaurant areas, which have exposed pipework and lighting grids, we are effectively using the white ID24s as ceiling speakers where there is no ceiling! Even though they are positioned 3 metres above the restaurant floor, the dispersion is excellent and, because we can angle them, we can have more control.”
For example, zoning in the restaurant is done by speaker location. The ID24s aim over and across the central island bar, so that staff are not impacted by high volumes, and there are corner tables with lower SPL. “Because of the number of loudspeakers in the space, 20 in all, you never have to turn them up too loud.”
Downstairs in the moody and velvety lounge of Jack Solomon’s speakeasy, black ID24 cabinets are mounted on the lighting grid which runs round the space. Two ID S110s are also flown from the grid, providing subbass punch for this cocktail/late licence bar.
Adjacent is a smaller private space, a square room to host VIP receptions, guest DJs and other events. Atypically for a venue like this, there are just 4x ID24s, and a cunningly hidden ID S110 sub, a loudspeaker system so small that it has baffled visiting DJs. “Until they hear the output of these little Nexos,” says Guy Ayres. “There is more than enough SPL for them to play with, and it was important to the venue owners that the aesthetic was maintained throughout all the discrete spaces.”
(Jim Evans)
