Tampa’s Penthouse Club mixes a gentlemen’s club with a world-class steakhouse for echelon clients and two bars, staffed with Tampa’s ‘most beautiful entertainers.’ As part of an extensive facility renovation that includes lighting and video, a sound system was installed using loudspeakers from the DAS Audio catalogue.
idesign Productions – a full service lighting, video and audio design/build firm – was contracted to handle the renovation at The Penthouse Club, with owner and lead lighting and video designer Michael Meacham working with DAS Audio’s Sales Manager for Nightclubs and Hospitality, John Fiorito.
‘This was a complete renovation for interior finishes, lighting, video, and audio,’ Meacham says. Both John Fiorito from DAS and myself worked closely with Chuck Rollins and Eddie Suqi from Penthouse on the upgrade. There are six spaces throughout the venue that received new audio equipment, so this was big project that involved a lot of equipment.’
In the Main Pit, the idesign team placed eight E11even Sound ES-10 two-way point source loudspeakers, two ES-S218 bass reflex enclosures, plus four Quantum Q-10 passive subwoofers. These enclosures are driven by E11even EP-8K4 and EP-10K4 power amplifiers. In the Upper Lounge area, four DAS ES26 enclosures and two DAS Quantum Series Q-10 passive subwoofers were used, with amplification provided by an E11even Sound EP-8K4 power amplifier. Additionally, the idesign team specified and installed 28 DAS CL6TB ceiling speakers throughout the club that are driven by Crown XLS1502 amplifiers.
DAS Audio Quantum Series Q-23-T full-range loudspeakers and Quantum Series Q-10 passive subwoofers were deployed extensively throughout the club’s Large Whale room, Long Narrow Whale room, and the Far Whale room – with amplification handled by Crown XLS1502 amplifiers. In the Penthouse Club’s dining area, four Artec-306 two-way passive point source loudspeakers, a pair of Quantum Series Q-10 passive subwoofers, and an E11even Sound EP-8K4 power amplifier complete the picture.
System control throughout the venue is provided by a BSS Blu-100 Signal Processor with Blu link and a Blu-Bob2 Output Expander. The interface for control of the system is accomplished via the HiQnet app for the Apple iPad.
‘The DAS ES-10 has a 110° wide horizontal dispersion pattern, which helps tremendously in terms of providing even coverage throughout any given space,’ Meacham says. ‘The loudspeakers are very coherent – producing extremely high clarity, which is also attributed by the E11even power amplifiers. All loudspeakers are placed in the optimum positions–determined by using Ease Focus modeling software–to ensure you can feel the music, thus creating a great vibe while still be able to carry a conversation at any table or banquet seating area.’
The Penthouse Club – Tampa project was installed in November of 2020 and, since that time, has been very well received. ‘Club management is very pleased with the installation,’ Meacham reports. ‘Both from an aesthetic perspective and the sound quality of the system, the new equipment setup has more than met expectations. Customers and management alike have been impressed with the system. It sounds terrific while still enabling customers to hold a conversation without yelling. In every aspect of this project, it’s been a win-win for all involved.’
