Skybar adds to Turbosound system
Published: MEA
LEBANON: Beirut’s open air Skybar has added to its sound system with further cabinets from Turbosound.
The original multi-zoned system was designed by Louay Agha of Lebanon-based Thunder Electronics in 2008. ‘With Skybar being open to the elements I specified Turbosound’s TCS-C series of weather-resistant loudspeakers, whose qualities are vitally important.’ These qualities include marine-grade birch plywood construction with stainless steel fixings and grilles, internally sealed with a moisture-resistant compound and externally sprayed with a polyurethane coating, plus the loudspeaker cones are sealed with a silicone waterproofing agent and there is a sealed cable-entry gland and tail.
A total of 12 TCS-121CW 12-inch two-ways, 16 TCS-081CW 8-inch two-ways, eight TCS-20 double 5-inch two-ways and eight TCS-215CW double 15-inch reflex-loaded subwoofers made up the original install, with control by an LMS-D24 processor and sound from CD decks and DJ mixers. The upgrade this year has seen the addition of eight TCX-12 two-way loudspeakers and six B-18 subwoofers from the Compact series, powered by Turbosound's latest DSP-based amplifier: the RackDP-50, which delivers 1,250W at 2-ohms from each of its four output channels.
‘Skybar opens at 8pm each evening and functions as a chill-out lounge with food and background music,’ explained Mr Agha. ‘Then at midnight it fires up as a nightclub, with DJ sets and occasional live performances. So the loudspeakers need to be able to cope with a variety of different kinds of music and maintain excellent sound quality at different volume levels.
‘Because of our experience with outdoor installations, it was a straightforward task to ensure all the areas were covered adequately and I have had nothing but positive responses. Many people commented on how amazing the sound is for an outdoor venue.’