Located in French Polynesia on the Tetiaroa atoll, which was once legendary actor Marlon Brando’s private island, The Brando luxury resort surrounds a completely enclosed lagoon and is accessible only by plane, and it’s outfitted with networked audio systems made up of Harman Professional components.
Total Video Distribution of Tahiti installed the systems at the new resort to serve three primary locations, the biggest in the main part of the hotelm which includes the reception area, indoor and outdoor shops, two restaurants, two bars and other sections. A large meeting room has a separate audio system, and the spa was considered separately because of its environmental considerations.
“We determined that the best solution was to go with separate installations that were optimized for each location rather than one all-encompassing system, as this would best serve the needs of each facility and would be the simplest, most flexible and most cost-effective way to meet the Brando’s needs,” said Jacques Lilin, general manager of Total Video. “That said, we standardized on all-Harmanbrands in each installation because we knew it would be a guarantee of perfect communication between the different system elements and compatibility between inputs and outputs.”
The main system is networked via two BSS Audio Soundweb London BLU-800 signal processors. The BLU-800 handles source selection, volume control and distribution for a variety of audio sources and distributes music and announcements throughout multiple zones.
Amplification is provided by Crown CTs 600 and CTs 280A power amps and a variety of JBL Control 24CT and 23T loudspeakers mounted in the beams, ceilings, walls and in various other locations. An AKG D542ST-S microphone is used for announcements and each zone is managed locally via a BSS Audio BLU-6 wall-mount controller.
All of the equipment is housed in a dedicated equipment room located near the Brando’s concierge area. The control room also has a BSS Audio BLU-10 programmable controller for general control of all the zones.
The meeting room’s separate audio system is managed by a BSS Audio BLU-800 signal processor, with JBL Control 26CT in-ceiling speakers powered by Crown CTs 600 amplifiers. Four AKG WMS450PRESENTER+D5 wireless microphone systems are available, along with a DVD player and custom-built A/V connectors near the video projector to accommodate a computer, iPod or other device. Two AKG wireless antennas are located in the ceiling to provide optimum reception for the wireless mic signals.
The spa system had a very specific requirement: the equipment had to be simplified to the maximum degree because of its exposure to salt and humidity.
“We needed to install components that have proven themselves in such conditions,” said Lilin. Because of the harsh environment, four separate systems were installed to accommodate four spa areas, hammams (steam rooms), tea room, shops, locker rooms, fitness and massage rooms. The four systems each have only an iPod as a music source, connected directly to a Crown 280MA mixer-amp with their volume operated by either the iPod or a Crown 1-VCAP in-wall volume control.
“Now that the system is in place, it’s apparent that having separate systems was the right approach for this installation,” Lilin concludes. “Everything operates in a manner that’s easy for the hotel staff, and the Harman components provide the flexibility and functionality the Brando needs.”