The Bournemouth, UK location of Popworld, a chain of more than 40 late night bar/discos operated by Stonegate Group, recently refreshed its brand with a next-generation interior that includes a new sound reinforcement system utilizing a variety of Martin Audio loudspeakers in a project by Middlesex Sound & Light (MSL).
Occupying the site of a former Walkabout Inn, which had also been equipped with Martin Audio loudspeakers, MSL was able to service, recondition and redeploy some of the pre-existing kit across the five-zone interior. Auxiliary sound is delivered by new ADORN series A55T surface mount and ACS-40TS ceiling loudspeakers. Meanwhile, a separate zone for DJ monitoring is handled by Blackline X10 loudspeakers.
“Martin Audio dominates nearly all of the Popworlds we’ve fitted out,” says MSL project manager Toby Jones. “It is our go-to brand because it delivers good quality, with excellent sonic response; it’s also reliable and represents fantastic value for money.”
Assigned to the first zone is the main dance floor, where MSL turned to Martin Audio sister brand Optimal Audio in the form of for four Cuboid 12s, ceiling-mounted in a quad landscape array. Providing LF extension is a pair of existing Martin Audio WS218X subwoofers.
Off the dance floor and forming a second zone,are front VIP booth areas, and these are serviced by four wall-mounted Blackline X8 that fit unobtrusively into the booths. “These are all time aligned and delayed to the dancefloor — and can handle increased volume where necessary,” Jones continues.
In the dedicated “selfie” area (which is the third zone), a wall with pixel string lights and two-way mirrors is complemented by a pair of wall-mounted Blackline X8.s Coverage in the main bar area is provided by six original Blackline F12 (reassigned from the previous installation) — again, all in landscape mode and flown from the ceiling. These are matched by a pair of pre-existing X118 subwoofers.
Jones says he had no hesitation in recommending that the client retain some of their original tech. “After all,” he says, “Blackline is a tried and trusted product. It’s been in the venue and worked extremely well for them over the years … so why dispose of it?
“Stonegate has established a next generation immersive, both aurally and visually. And Blackline X will be a vital part of the ongoing success story.”
