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Tannoy and Lab.gruppen Bring Quality Audio to Audi
Tannoy and Lab.gruppen both share a well-earned reputation for delivering superior quality audio solutions and as such it's not unusual to find their product specified together in high end prestige installations.
One such recent example of this synergy in action can be found at Audi's newest facility in Fredericia, Denmark. The new building, for exclusive Danish dealership Semler Audi Detail A/S, opened in late September and is one of the first of its kind in the world. A very demanding client brief led to a variety of Tannoy's in-ceiling range being specified throughout the facility, including the Scottish based company's new CVS4 Micro and their class-leading Dual Concentric driver equipped CMS series. The system was powered by a range of Lab.gruppen's C Series amplifiers including the 4-channel C 28:4 and 8-channel C 20:8X, engineered specifically for demanding installed sound applications such as this, as well as an NLB-60E NomadLink bridge and network controller for amplifier monitoring and control.
The German prestige auto marque has recently embarked on a new strategy where its car dealerships are concerned, having developed a new concept called Audi ‘Terminal'. Featuring an advanced building design with modern, cutting edge architectural ideas - the Terminal is designed to build upon and strengthen Audi's core market profile and brand values. This brand new Terminal concept replaces the previous (and familiar) building concept called the ‘Hangar', which has guided the company's dealership design since the late 1990's. Audi's heritage and many successes in motorsport was the main driver (pardon the pun) in developing the new building concept. The ‘Audi curve' derived from the racing track and from the aerodynamic forms of their racing machines is implemented in the architecture of the building - with interior curved walls clearly evident from both inside and outside the structure.
The Audi Terminal for Semler Audi Detail A/S will comprise of over 10,200 sq. metres of floor space, across two levels, with room for displaying 28 cars in the showroom. A 400-space car park ensures plenty of capacity for both stock and visiting customers' cars. Below ground level, a substantial basement showroom provides space for 42 used cars. Elsewhere, adjacent buildings will provide full servicing, body repair and tyre fitting facilities - making this new Audi Terminal a genuine one-stop shop for Audi customers.
Designed to form a multi-functional space dedicated to enhancing the Audi customer experience, this new Terminal comprises of reception area, showrooms, administrative and meeting rooms and a main 360sq.m event space. It's this large event room that was key behind the decision to specify Lab.gruppen-powered Tannoy loudspeakers. The space is intended to be primarily a showroom for Audi's top models, but on special occasions can also serve as a function area for presentations and launches, capable of accommodating up to 200 people. The client therefore had some very specific requirements for a sound system that could deliver a high SPL without compromising quality and clarity of audio content. Equally, the installed system had to be discrete in order to avoid any impact on the architectural design of the space - effectively the speakers had to be heard and not seen.
Following a demonstration of Tannoy's CMS12 TDC large format speaker (featuring a single 12" Dual Concentric driver), both the Audi project manager and appointed acoustic consultant were convinced that this was the way to go and indeed that Tannoy's extensive range offered a high quality solution for each of the Terminal's spaces. The final specification included a broad mix of product including the compact shallow-back can CVS4 Micro - for use in the aisles, and offices delivering both BGM and voice announcements. Elsewhere CMS501 DC, CMS 601DC and CMS 801DC speakers were selected for use around the showroom areas and the reception, delivering exceptional quality BGM throughout these open and acoustically tricky spaces. As mentioned, a dozen of Tannoy's CMS12 TDC full range ceiling speakers are to be installed in the main event space, with four CMS110 SR subwoofers - to provide a level of low frequency response not normally possible with in-ceiling installations (31Hz @ -3dB), meaning levels could be properly pushed up if any event dictated it.
The entire audio system is powered by a relatively compact rack of Lab.gruppen's installation dedicated C Series amplifiers, with just seven units in total, across five models ranging from the 4-channel C 10:4X to the 8-channel C 20:8X. The decision to specify Lab.gruppen was driven by the demands for absolute peace of mind and continuous reliability, as well as the ease of integration with the fire/alarm system. The superb sound quality and 6-year warranty on the C Series ensured Lab.gruppen was the clear choice for this project right from the outset.
The specification and installation itself was carried out by AVC (Audio Visuelt Centrum A/S), one of Denmark's leading AV installation companies with more than 40 years industry experience. With around 50 employees and offices in Horsens and Brondby, AVC was well placed to handle this demanding project, as the end results clearly demonstrated.
7th January 2010
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