A new background audio system at Mercure Hotel Miri, located in Malaysia’s Sarawak region on the northwest coast of Borneo and offering co-working spaces, a rooftop restaurant and 172 rooms, incorporates a range of KGEAR loudspeakers and supporting components implemented by K-array distributor Nextrend, also located in Malaysia.
Nextrend company director Shawn Teoh managed the project, explaining, “The client was looking for a sound system that would fit the sleek and modern interiors of the hotel. The goal was to produce clear background audio that would not be irritating or too loud for guests when they are sitting near the loudspeakers. A KGEAR solution would provide us with good quality and versatile form-factor, allowing us to provide the best possible audio within budget and with products that would not detract from the stylish interiors of the hotel.”
The project encompasses several areas, including the lobby and adjoining coffee bar plus the ballroom and the rooftop restaurant and bar. In the lobby, four GF82 compact 8 x 2-inch column loudspeakers deliver audio in a discreet format, powered by a GA201 amplifier.
Meanwhile, the Terabai Grand Ballroom, with a capacity of up to 200 people and intended for events such as large meetings and wedding receptions, is now served by GP18 and GP18A column array system. Combining a 18-inch subwoofer with three modular 8 x 2 elements, the interchangeable array modules on each column provide 140-degree horizontal dispersion to cover the entire space. The room also has a smaller GP8A, a more portable variant that’s deployed as needed.
At Cavakita, the hotel’s rooftop bar and restaurant that offers views of Miri and the waterfront, 18 GF82 loudspeakers were chosen for their ability to envelop the space with audio without detracting from the stylish interior. Two GS18 subwoofers deliver bass reinforcement while another GP8A column array provides added flexibility. A GA43 amplifier and two GA201 amplifiers deliver the audio power.
“The choice of KGEAR loudspeakers delivers clear sound and easy operation while minimizing technical system handling,” says Teoh. “It was of the utmost importance that the loudspeaker mounting would blend into the overall interior design. The slim speaker and choice of white or black enclosures in the GF82s enabled us to provide a discreet yet highly flexible audio solution that pleased both the interior designer and the hotel guests.”
