Club and Hotel Elevated Audio Experience with L-Acoustics Technology
The Surf Club, a historic hotel located between Miami Beach and Bal Harbour, has undergone a significant transformation in its music experience. Established in 1930 by tire tycoon Harvey Firestone as a playground for the rich and famous during the Great Depression, the venue has long been a glamorous destination for celebrities and socialites.
In late 2024, Daniel Buckman, President of the boutique music consultancy BELLOSOUND, was brought in by Hotel Manager Richard Lanaud to elevate the Four Seasons Hotel at The Surf Club's sound environment. The centrepiece of this audio enhancement is the installation of L-Acoustics Syva speakers in the iconic Champagne Bar.
The Champagne Bar audio upgrade was initiated to provide a more immersive and high-quality music experience for guests. The L-Acoustics Syva speakers, renowned for their sleek design and exceptional sound quality, were chosen to blend seamlessly with the club's legacy of style and luxury.
To lead the technical design and implementation, Buckman brought in Corry McGibbon, President of The 192 Group. McGibbon noted that the existing sound system at the Champagne Bar served its purpose but had the potential to enhance the ambiance with greater depth and richness.
The L-Acoustics equipment was chosen to meet the high expectations for sound quality at The Surf Club, as it is associated with Four Seasons. A Syva + Syva Low system was placed adjacent to the DJ booth for dynamic range and energy during evening entertainment. Ultra-compact X4i loudspeakers were selected for their clarity and small size, matching the wood trim on the arched glass doors.
Eight SB10i subwoofers were installed within custom banquette planters, providing a full, warm low-end presence without any visible impact. The entertainers performing in the restaurant and bar have commented on how good the room sounds now.
The L-Acoustics amplified controllers integrated seamlessly with the Q-SYS distributed audio system, enabling remote monitoring of the system. The space's reflective surfaces made it challenging to maintain balanced acoustics at higher volumes, but the team was able to refine the overall guest experience to deliver pristine, ambient background music during the day and a vibrant, energetic soundscape for DJ-led evenings, without compromising the space's architectural integrity.
The X4i's rich wood finish complements the lounge decor, while the white-finished Syva loudspeakers blend well in their location. The audio upgrade represents a blend of maintaining the club’s historic glamour while integrating modern acoustical technology to provide an elevated music experience. This upgrade complements The Surf Club's longstanding reputation as a glamorous destination for celebrities and socialites, maintaining its tradition of lavish and stylish events with modern audio technology.
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- The renovation at The Surf Club extends beyond its music experience, as design initiatives are also underway for various areas such as lifestyle, fashion-and-beauty, food-and-drink, home-and-garden, and travel.
- In the upcoming years, guests at The Surf Club may anticipate new installations that reflect modern trends and amplify their overall experience, just as the Champagne Bar audio upgrade did.
- The architectural and decorative elements of The Surf Club, including the lounge decor, have found harmonious pairings with the X4i's rich wood finish and the white-finished Syva loudspeakers, adding a touch of fashion-and-beauty to the venue.
- For those seeking a glamorous and luxurious vacation destination, The Surf Club's fusion of its historic charm with modern amenities such as the newly-implemented Syva speakers in the Champagne Bar makes it an ideal choice for casino-and-gambling enthusiasts and travelers alike.
