New Hanoi nightclub looks to the West with dampb
Published: ASIA
VIETNAM: A new 1,000-capacity nightclub based in Hanoi’s Daewoo Hotel has been installed with a d&b audiotechnik loudspeaker system, with its management declaring that the ‘rising expectations of our clientele’ prompted the venue to ‘look West to European PA systems’.
Named NewSquare, the nightclub is reportedly fast becoming one of the most popular in Hanoi, though its décor presented a significant challenge in terms of audio, comprising stainless steel surfaces, LED-covered walls and video screens. The venue’s directors decided to consider a d&b system on the advice of sound consultant Mr Nghia, subsequently visiting the manufacturer’s Singapore office.
‘They came immediately wanting to place an order for Q-Series loudspeakers with E-Series components for fills and delays,’ explained Sebastian Song, CEO of d&b Singapore. ‘Frankly I was surprised and impressed with their knowledge, but soon discovered that Mr Nghia had spent several years studying audio in Germany. I handed the project to Imran Muhammad from our own application support department.’
Mr Muhammad used Sketch-Up Pro to transform a 2D floorplan of the nightclub into an EASE-compliant 3D model. ‘I imported the 3D plan into EASE to check the proposed loudspeaker placements,’ Mr Muhammad explains. ‘Mr Nghia had certainly done his homework – I did a few tweaks here and there, but essentially it was spot on. I would have adopted the same approach.
‘When we’re asked to do a job like this we always consider how the clubs operate; that’s not just making sure you keep sound energy off the bar area, it also requires that we thoroughly consider the listening areas. The placement of the various loudspeaker components, and the fact that Mr Nghia had allowed for a single amplifier channel per cabinet operation in critical locations, meant that by using the d&b R60 Remote interface we could tune certain zones for lower intensity listening.’
The final installation combines Q-SUBs in CSA configuration along with B2-SUBs for low end, with mid-high frequencies catered for by Q-Series elements including Q1, Q7 and Q10 enclosures. E12 loudspeakers have also been incorporated into the design as DJ monitors. The resulting performance is described by the venue’s directors as ‘very strong, yet curiously it doesn’t hurt your ears’.