Opened in 1901 when it first welcomed famous actors, ambassadors and heads of state from around the globe, the Hotel Metropole Hanoi is maintaining its poise with the recent renovation of its elegant bar-lounge-restaurant, angelina. With no shortage of vendors proposing audio solutions, DesignLive Technologies was selected to implement a sound system as sophisticated and discrete as the landmark hotel.
angelina’s highly reflective brass, decorative tile and glass finishes required careful engineering and, precise output to minimise reflections and ensure intelligibility. Compact yet powerful, high-performing loudspeakers were necessary to integrate into the venue’s tight floorplan without detracting from its visually stunning interior design.
With extensive experience of other high-end Vietnamese venues, DesignLive Technologies was confident Fulcrum Acoustic offered the best solution. ‘Our client demanded angelina’s sound system be of the highest quality and as discrete as possible,’ says DesignLive’s Thu Ta. ‘A number of other integrators proposed large, unwieldy loudspeakers and subwoofers that would conflict with the lounge’s architectural motifs and tight spaces which include low ceilings in many areas.
‘Through Ease modelling, we designed a configurable distributed sound system with Fulcrum’s compact Prophile Series coaxial loudspeakers and VLF Install high-performance subwoofers,’ he explains. ‘Twelve Prophile P 8-Inch tw-way coaxial loudspeakers deliver the wide dispersion and high SPLs we needed from visually unobtrusive horizontal enclosures significantly smaller than those with offset drivers and horns. We deployed three low-profile Fulcrum Sub112 single 12-Inch subwoofers and two US212 dual 12-Inch subs which seamlessly integrate into furniture fittings to provide ‘invisible’ but powerful low frequency extension.
‘angelina’s distributed design creates an immersive 360° soundstage in the luxurious, high ceilinged, main cocktail bar area where the DJ is focused,’ he adds. ‘The closer quarters of the dining coves and exclusive whisky lounge enjoy a smooth, uniform audio experience with the Prophile P’s 100° x 100° coverage pattern.’
DesignLive Technologies also installed a Symetrix Radius 12x8 EX audio DSP, serving the Fulcrum Acoustic loudspeakers, Dynalite lighting control, AMX NetLinx NX-series integrated controller, and iRidium for AMX touchscreen UI controls.
‘angelina is segregated into many creative nooks and crannies for the elite to saunter and socialise,’ Thu Ta says. ‘A back-end Symetrix Radius processor allows hotel staff to manage and manipulate discrete zones via a custom layout UI on an iPad, combining and separating spaces based on immediate requirements. The Radius 12x8 EX DSP;s zone management tools also manage an exclusive private dining room, where an automated A/V system enables boardroom meetings, digital signage and private events.’
The Radius 12x8 EX manages a Dante network that feeds the Fulcrum Acoustic system. Wall plates provide analogue inputs into the network-for DJs, and spare Cat6 cable drops around the venue provide Dante network access throughout the space, enabling the staff to customise the audio configuration for various events. ‘To tie all the systems together, we installed an AMX NetLinx NX-series integrated controller,’ Thu reports. ‘A custom iRidium iPad control UI allows the floor manager to manipulate light, sound and visuals over Wi-Fi.’
DesignLive Technologies has installed Symetrix-based systems in many venues but the Sofitel Legend Metropole angelina was special: ‘DesignLive will always provide top quality systems for its clients,’ Thu says. ‘The Sofitel Legend Metropole hotel is world renowned, and angelina is a superb venue. We were determined to live up to their high standards, delivering a system that was absolutely reliable and provided the finest audio quality available. We chose Symetrix DSPs because they are second to none in both respects.’
