As a direct result of both the building's modern design, with the acoustic challenges that this often presents, and the hotel's objective of meeting the most demanding business and conference needs, the A/V facilities required special attention - with the resulting system setting high standards.
At the centre of the new building is the 1,800sq.m multi-function hall - covered by a glass roof canopy up to 21m high at the highest point of its arc.
ThomNet Media Engineering were appointed to consult on the design and specification of the audio system covering all public spaces within the Kameha, including the main hall (called the Kameha Dome) which posed the most difficult problems. Tannoy's QFlex digitally steerable loudspeaker system was found to deliver the best performance in the substantial event space, with the minimum impact on the building's aesthetics - all critical to its status as a 5-star luxury hotel. A pair of QFlex48 columns were all that was required to provide even and controlled coverage of the full hall, mounted discretely on the steel frame of the building envelope - high above the main entrance, aimed back across the hall floor.
Away from the main hall, in the restaurant, brasserie and bar areas, the brief for the audio system was just as demanding. The designers specified a need for a system that provided zonable coverage, with uniform BGM coverage throughout the various zones and a system capable of delivering first class clarity and intelligibility while also being suitable for higher volume applications such as a New Year's party or large corporate entertainment event. All of these requirements were met with in-ceiling systems. In total, over 100 Tannoy CMS 801DC Dual Concentric(tm) driver equipped loudspeakers were installed with the minimum of impact to the design aesthetics of the themed bars and restaurants as well as throughout the various corporate / meeting rooms and the SPA / sauna facility.
The entire in-ceiling audio system is powered by a rack of Lab.gruppen's C Series installation-dedicated amplifiers. A mix of the Swedish manufacturer's 4-channel C10:4X and 8-channel C10:8X were specified at Grand Kameha. With the ability to make individual adjustments to maximum voltage peak output and gain per channel, as well as bridge-mode operation selectable per channel pair and advanced NomadLink® networking with remote monitoring and control facilities, the choice was a straight-forward one.
Completing the 450,000 euro A/V installation, Biamp Audioflex provided DSP control, while Panasonic and Crestron video products were specified throughout the conferencing and meeting rooms. Bonn-based CEE Media handled the installation of both audio and video throughout the hotel.
(Jim Evans)
