The Pirate Kindergarten, a day care center located in the German city of Bergisch Gladbach, places a strong emphasis on the part played by music in children’s development, an approach now supported by a new sound system at the multi-room facility utilizing Optimal Audio components in a project by integration firm Starpoint.
Music is a constant theme during daily activities, and when the kindergarten’s team agreed that its ageing sound system could no longer meet their ambitions, they sought an upgrade. In addition to improved sonic performance, the new system needed to be easy to operate.
“We listened to all the requirements and quickly concluded that Optimal Audio offered the best solution for this application,” states Bastian Sauer of Starpoint. “Working with the customer we specified the system and assisted them with programming the Zone unit, leaving them to carry out the installation work themselves without any problems.”
The new system, which comprises four zones controlled from two rooms, incorporates 10 Cuboid 5 loudspeakers working with a Zone 8P controller. Cuboid 5 is an aesthetically discreet two-way passive 5-inch on-wall loudspeaker that has portrait or landscape mounting options, while Zone 8P is a zonal audio controller with DSP, amplification and WebApp control applications.
Sauer: “The Zone 8P with its integrated 8-channel amplifier delivers more than enough power for the entire system, and the Cuboid loudspeakers can also be used for outdoor applications by means of optional terminal covers for the connections on the back which render them IP-54 compliant. Optimal Audio thus safely and effortlessly delivers perfect sound throughout the facility.”
According to Bettina Omer, head of the day care centre, the new system has proved to be a success for children and caregivers alike. It’s in use daily as well as at special events like children’s theatre, carnival, summer and holiday parties, and more.
“We like to listen to a lot of music and encourage the children to sing along and move,” Omer concludes. “They’re always very happy when we sing and dance together. Unfortunately, our old system was very limiting in this respect, so we’re really happy that our support association has installed the new Optimal Audio solution, which sounds fantastic.”
