Hong Kongs La Lavande bar is ship-shape with Martin Audio
Published: ASIA
CHINA: Based in Hong Kong’s Tsimshatsui district, the new La Lavande bar recently opened with an emphasis on high-quality sound reinforcement intended to distance it from local competition. The bar now boasts a complement of Martin Audio Blackline loudspeakers as part of a system designed by Man Sing.
The Tsimshatsui district is littered with lounge bars and drinking dens satisfying the tastes of patrons who wish to indulge in dice games, karaoke and DJ rhythms and beats. La Lavande – home to various VIP, karaoke, seated and dance floor areas – recently opened its doors on Cameron Road, with an emphasis on high-end audio that is intended to accompany its high-concept interior design. The third-floor venue boasts a ship-shaped bar area with edging lit by blue LEDs leading towards a seated area which is situated over water. The ever-significant Chinese art of Feng Shui translates this as a ship heading for water, which signifies prosperity.
However the audio installation was complicated by a low ceiling restriction plus overhead conduits and plumbing, all of which restricted the placement of loudspeakers. As a result, the Martin Audio boxes have been ceiling-suspended. The dance floor between the seats over water and the bar area is covered by four Martin Audio F12+ Blackline speakers, while the seated area is served by a further two F12+ boxes. A seated area to the rear allows patrons to converse freely and so two F10+ Blackline speakers have been installed. All eight speakers are powered by two Crest Audio CA18 and single Crest CA12 amplifiers.
The DJ booth houses the Crest amplifiers together with a dbx Driverack 260 processor. It is also equipped with a Rane Sixty Eight mixer, two Technics SL-1210 turntables and a Pioneer CDJ400 turntable. A Mipro MR823 dual channel true diversity receiver and hand held microphones are used for presentations and speeches. The two karaoke rooms are outfitted with Marantz MKS800 speakers, Marantz MZK58 karaoke amplifiers and Mipro MH801 hand held wireless microphones.