In the Angolan capital of Luanda, the Doo.Bahr nightclub has completed installation of the largest Martin Audio sound system ever shipped to the Portuguese-speaking African country.

The work was carried out by Phil Clark and Neil Kavanagh of UK-based Old Barn Audio. They were commissioned by the owners, who also operate the Oon.Dah Restaurant below it in the Edifício Escom, Luanda’s tallest tower. ‘We had already designed the original system 18 months ago, with assistance from Nigel Meddemmen at Martin Audio, but it was such a roaring success that we were asked to return and make the system louder to satisfy the DJs,’ Clark recalls. ‘This we did by upgrading the nightclub with more subs, bigger amps and processing.’

Doo.Bahr is one of Luanda’s chicest cocktail bar/lounges, with an outdoor terrace offering spectacular views across the city. It was designed by leading British firm Julian Taylor Design Associates and the venue exudes sophistication, class and glamour. The outside terrace is now served by six Martin Audio AM15 speakers, installed using custom-made brackets high up on the steel roof, pointing down towards the dancefloor. These are supported by four AS118 subwoofers. Powered by Martin Audio MA5.2K and MA12K amplifiers.

The sound is described by Fernando Rosa, DooBahr’s manager, as ‘nothing short of amazing’. ‘Having spent many hours tuning the system, the end result was welcomed by all,’ Clark says.

The complementary inside bar features an array of Martin Audio AQ12’s in black, along with floor-standing Martin Audio AQ215 subs. Powered by MA5.2K and MA3.0 amplifiers this simple zone works seamlessly.

All peripheral zones complement the two main spaces with background sound delivered via Martin Audio AQ8s, AM12s and C6.8T ceiling speakers. Control is provided by a single Martin Audio Engineer 418 4-input/8-output processor/router – with patches allowing differing inputs and outputs to be combined in various ways.

‘It was a pleasure to have [Old Barn Audio] undertake this installation, and everyone involved is impressed with the professional execution of the work,’ says Isak Ewert, the project manager for the upgrade of the club.

Old Barn Audio is now anticipating further work in Luanda with the proposed building of a much larger Oon.Dah/Doo.Bahr venue in an upmarket part of the city.

More: www.oldbarnaudio.co.uk
More: www.martin-audio.com