Birmingham’s high-adrenalin F1 Arcade is the latest venue to benefit from A/V from TVC Technology Solutions.

F1 Arcade aims to offer an exhilarating F1 racing experience that promises to evoke visitors’ inner champion with 53 bespoke full-motion racing simulators that can cater to every level of driving skill. The excitement is accompanied by the culinary delights, extensive selection of cocktails, champagne, wines and beers that are also available.

TVC delivered a comprehensive multi-zone audio system from KV2 to emulate the energy of a race circuit. The experience is completed by an array of huge TV screens so that fans can watch the ‘real’ motor racing with live commentary and the guarantee of an electric atmosphere.

Having installed systems at the F1 Arcade in London – the first official Formula 1 simulator racing experience – operator Kindred Spirits again turned to TVC to equip the Birmingham venue – now with KV2 on the radar.

‘Our KV2 journey started with a demo that opened my eyes – or rather my ears – to something I found truly special,’ recalls TVC Technical AV Manager and co-owner, Tiago Borges. ‘From that point on, it was a real thrill to be able to present such quality to our clients, especially for premium sites where audio quality is king. We were fortunate enough that Kindred Spirits trusted us to test a KV2 solution by reinforcing the existing F1 Arcade installation in London – we added a pair of EX26 active loudspeakers to the main zone, and the results were stunning.

‘This convinced the client to invest in a premium audio system for their new venue in Birmingham,’ he continues. ‘With the guidance and expertise of KV2’s specialists, we were able to present a solution that would perfectly suit the multiple requirements of the venue, from late night DJ performances to corporate events, and especially for commentary during the venue’s F1 Watch Parties.’

TVC’s brief was to build on the success of the London venue, replicating the high-end, competitive racing experience in Birmingham. ‘Formula 1 is a major global sport that attracts huge crowds, and the F1 Arcade venues have become a prime spot for fans to immerse themselves in the adrenaline of a live F1 race,’ Borges says. ‘The experience on site relies on the atmosphere created by the décor and lighting, and especially the A/V element with large screens across the venue and a huge LED wall as a centre point. Sound is the element that you can’t see, but can make or break the experience, especially in a challenging situation like F1 Arcade where the audio content involves noise from cars, the track, plus interviews and commentary in the worst conditions.

‘KV2 made it easy at every level – the high intelligibility of the loudspeakers ensures that the commentary is always clear and detailed, even against the hostile background of an F1 racetrack. It is easy to deliver fantastic reproduction of music, (mainly DJs) and it was incredibly easy to set up and tune the system. With loudspeakers that are as finely developed and beautifully built as KV2, it takes less time to accomplish a truly rewarding outcome where the sound adds immense value to the experience.’

As customers enter the arcade, they are met with a wall of low-level, yet powerful sound from KV2’s ESD5 full-range loudspeakers, catapulting them into the atmosphere of an F1 event. The low profile and impressive size-to-performance ratio of the loudspeakers makes them a good choice in environments where space is tight, but sound quality is paramount.

Throughout the remainder of the venue including the multiple gaming zones, bar area and restaurant, TVC opted for the slightly larger format ESD6 and ESD8 mid-high loudspeakers from the same range. In areas requiring more robust low-end, TVC added EX1.2 active subwoofers. Power is supplied by KV2 ESP2000 and ESP4000 amplifiers.

Audio control and DSP is handled via a Symetrix Prism 16x16 open-architecture DSP engine, enabling audio to be played back across multiple zones and synchronised with the video displays for an immersive and cohesive audiovisual experience. An intuitive user interface – which sits alongside the NetworkHD Touch app from Wyrestorm controlling all the video streams – allows F1 Arcade Birmingham to remotely control and monitor the full A/V system from any compatible mobile device or tablet, enabling effortless management of each zone for maximum flexibility and seamless operation.

‘The client is happy, and we are proud of a premium site delivered to the highest standards,’ Borges reports. ‘We will most definitely repeat the recipe in the near future.’

More: www.kv2audio.com