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HK Audio is the Choice for Iconic Sheffield Venue

UK – Located in the basement of the historic and iconic Abbeydale Picture House in Sheffield, the Abbeydale Ballroom opened recently to rave reviews. Occupying a space formerly used as a snooker club and social space for the Picture House, this latest addition to the City’s nightlife blends 1920s heritage with a modern-day pool lounge, cocktail bar and more.

Created by True North, the team behind many of Sheffield’s favourite night spots, the Abbeydale’s multi-faceted space required a high quality, zoned audio system which could be easily controlled by members of staff to create exactly the right ambience for a variety of music and broadcast content at different times of day.

True North engaged trusted partner Audio Engineering Services (AES) of Sheffield to design and install a system to cover the venue’s distinct zones, as well supply a powerful system for the venue’s live music area. With more than 20 years in business, AES has completed an extensive range of installs across a variety of sectors, from radio and TV to clubs, pubs, restaurants, racecourses, churches and schools.

AES chose HK Audio loudspeakers for both the multi-room fixed install and the stage-area PA, as Andy Fisher of AES explains: “HK Audio are my go-to audio brand for both installation and the live event side of our business. They offer genuinely high-quality audio from well-crafted, very robust and reliable units, which can stand up to the relentless workload in a venue such as Abbeydale. We knew the HK Linear 5 would be perfect for the stage area and we were very impressed with the performance of the FINEO speakers. This was the second time we’d used them on an install and they didn’t disappoint, they sound just like an HK system should!”

HK FINEO installation loudspeakers were chosen for the background music and TV system, with four HK FINEO 12 units and two HK 1500A subs in the bar, four FINEO 10 with two PR:O 210 subs in the pool room and two FINEO 8 in the darts room. A pair of powerful, active full-range mid/high HK Linea 5 MK2 112 112FA active loudspeakers were chosen for the live room.

The zoned system is powered by two Lab Gruppen IPX1200 and one Lab Gruppen IPX2400 compact DSP amplifiers, and controlled by an Atmosphere AZM8 8-zone audio processor via a master zone, source and volume wall controller and a remote Bluetooth audio input.

Andy Fisher reflects on a successful installation: “The client is extremely happy with the new system which gives the staff at the Abbeydale Ballroom all the flexibility and control they require, whilst delivering fantastic audio quality for their customers. The main elements of the system were all sourced from POLAR and we worked closely with Stuart Russell who ensured that all the elements were delivered in a timely fashion and was available to offer advice where required.”

13th March 2026

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