In the heart of London’s trendy Portobello Road the Ukai sushi house has recently completed an extensive makeover that includes the installation of a Martin Audio CDD sound system provided by Old Barn Audio (OBA).
The venue’s stylish decor sets the scene for the Japanese kitchen, and is accompanied by an eclectic mix of music. Owner, Amir Moaven, was directed to OBA by a Portuguese restaurateur (and mutual acquaintance) for whom the installer had provided a Martin Audio system 18 months previously. ‘He was clear that he wanted high quality background music,’ says OBA Director, Neil Kavanagh.
The space is divided around a U-shaped room, with a restaurant and separate chill-out lounge. In the main bar are a pair of Martin Audio’s CDD10 (housing new Coaxial Differential Dispersion technology) and a white CSX112 (single 12-inch) sub, which reflects the white Yamaha upright piano. Providing coverage in the restaurant, meanwhile, are three of the smaller CDD5 (5-inch) speakers. Finally, CDD6 (6-inch) cover the chill-out lounge.
‘The challenge had been to mount the speakers as high as possible above the floor in order to angle them correctly and direct the energy where it was needed,’ Kavanagh
explains. ‘Fortunately, the Martin Audio mounting hardware is versatile, and although it places quite a bit of torque on the bracket it is more than capable of handling it, and forms a perfect solution. The difference in sound quality is immeasurable compared with what they had previously. Once we had tuned the system it sounded tremendous.’
Six inputs can be routed to any of the four areas via the zoner, with playlists stored on computer and the programme ranging from hip-hop to soul and Latino. The versatility of the in-house system enables the venue to transcend effortlessly into a nightspot when market trading has finished outside.
‘It is the most shrewd investment I have made in this business,’ Moaven says. ‘The sound is so superior that, in the words of one employee, it makes you look forward to coming to work.’
