VII, a luxurious nightclub on the seventh floor of the Conrad Dubai in the UAE city of Dubai, recently underwent an audio upgrade headed by Funktion-One loudspeakers supplied and installed by Em-Tec.
Club owner Rocky Bhatia first met Em-Tec’s Andy Williams and Alex Bracken at the Formula One Grand Prix in Abu Dhabi. Impressed by the Funktion-One system they were using there, he asked the pair to visit VII and devise a set-up capable of delivering that same sonic quality.
The initial brief was for a very high-end club/lounge space, but as the concept evolved, the emphasis shifted towards producing a high-end, DJ-led nightclub, instead. To achieve this Em-Tec designed a system with a focus on providing impact with even coverage throughout.
The club features three key DJ performance spaces: the club area, garden terrace and lounge. Depending on the evening, these can operate simultaneously to provide a unique set for each zone, or music can be streamed from one DJ across the whole system – aided by a Formula Sound ZMR-80 zone mixer and AAVC2 limiter.
Specifically Funktion-One Evo 6 loudspeakers, teamed with the manufacturer’s F221 bass cabinets, form the core of the audio approach at VII. The full loudspeaker set comprises six Evo-6Es; four Res 2 full-range louspeakers, two F101, four F1201, a BR118, six BR218 bass reflex enclosures, two F221 and four F218mk2 bass enclosures. Also onboard is an Infrabass 218 bass loudspeaker.
“Funktion-One are simply the best loudspeakers for this environment,” Williams notes. “They’re able to play at extremely high volume with very low or no distortion and still keep the clarity of audio. The sound played by these speakers covers the full range from deep bass to crystal clear highs with no loss of quality.”
An MC2 E45 and E90 provide amplification that is approved by Funktion-One. “As audio is a chain, it is vital that the amplifiers used in the system ensure that the full potential of amazing Funktion-One loudspeakers is fulfilled,” says Williams. “The MC2 amplifiers that were used across the venue not only give an amazing audio quality but are extremely reliable and efficient. That’s why, along with FFA amplifiers, they are recommended by Funktion-One.”
Completing the chain are three XTA DC1048 processors, another Funktion-One recommendation. “XTA processors provide great DAC converters along with great functionality to control the loudspeakers to their maximum potential,” says Williams.
Because the venue is located within a hotel, Em-tec worked to ensure minimum disturbance to neighbors and guests, with the directional nature of the Funktion-One loudspeakers helping in this regard. Also, working alongside Matthew Carter from Dubai-based acoustic consultancy Acoustic Logic, Em-Tec carried out a full design study and soundproofing to minimise the effect on the surrounding area.
Williams concludes: “This project was highly enjoyable to work on, utilizing the latest models of high-end equipment available to ensure that our client and his guests have the best audio experience possible.”
