Den Sound boosts Joe Bananas’ appeal
Published: ASIA
HONG KONG: The Den Sound Boutique has handled the supply and install of a Nexo sound system into long-established Wan Chai watering hole Joe Bananas, as part of a sophisticated makeover. The high-profile bar is the first in Hong Kong to be installed with Nexo STM S118 subs, which have been mounted beneath a specially-constructed concrete stage to contain the high level of sub bass frequencies produced by the units.
Joe Bananas has attracted drinkers and party-goers to Luard Road since it was opened in 1986 by a couple of Scottish ex-pats. Back then it was designed as an alternative to the more sleazy Wan Chai bars frequented by sailors on shore leave. Almost 30 years later, the bar has shed its own increasingly down at heel image, and now boasts a fresh new urban-chic interior, good lighting, improved lunch menus and bar snacks.
At the heart of the renovation is the new sound system, designed by local integration company LSI Services, and supplied and installed by Den Sound. The house system, which takes care of a wide range of DJs and bands through to 5.30am every morning, consists of two Nexo Geo S1230 scalable modules per side working together with the STM118s, powered by an NXAmp 4x4 powered digital controller. On stage, two Nexo 45N 12 wedges, powered by a further NXAmp 4x4, handle band monitoring, together with a pair of Quest QM12MP high power speakers powered by a QA3004 amp. Another Quest monitor, this time a QM350i ultra compact loudspeaker powered by a QA2004 amp, takes care of DJ requirements, while a further Nexo system of four PS8-R2s covers the bar area.
LSI Services has worked with Joe Bananas’ new owners, the Sai Mata Group, on its range of live music venues in Hong Kong such as Escape, Graffiti and Rio. All Sai Mata Group bars now boast Nexo sound systems.