The reopening of the B 018 nightclub has been supported by the Middle East’s first installation of d&b audiotechnik’s U-series.
Lebanese partner Seebeck Audio was brought on board for the project, equipping the iconic venue with the region’s first d&b U-series sound system.
To honour the venue’s 28 years of history and unique feel, Seebeck Audio was brought on board as sound system designer and installer, bringing the latest d&b offering for the club’s rebirth.
Youssef Aoun, founder, Seebeck Audio, commented: “They needed something reliable and powerful enough to work for the club at full capacity, while ensuring the best listening experience possible for everybody, in every type of use.”
The space presented unique architectural constraints, including a low ceiling, a retractable steel roof, and an insistence that the loudspeakers be as unobstructive as possible. An additional factor to consider was the movable DJ booth, which could be placed at either end of the space, requiring additional flexibility.
The Seebeck team specified the U series, overcoming lead times brought about by the outbreak of war in the region. As a result, Seebeck, the client, the d&b Middle East office in Dubai, and the other contractors on site, meticulously planning an installation that was complete in every way aside from the loudspeaker components. On delivery, everything was ready for a fast turnaround. Upon clearing customs, the loudspeakers were sent straight to B 018, installed, tuned, and ready to go in under 24 hours.
The system is made up of a combination of U-series cabinets, using the U7, U5, and U3 models. Eight U7s are used to cover the main areas in a rectangle around the roof opening, with three U5s serving as fills covering each end of the space, with four U3s for the raised bar area.
Bass comes from six Bi6-SUBs for the main area, supported by two Bi10s for the bar. At the client’s requet, the system inputs are all analogue.
Aoun adds: “Everything was new to us,” recalls Youssef, “but it turned out so well because we could use ArrayCalc simulations and prepare the R1 setup in advance. The client was amazed when we had it all installed and tuned so quickly. We knew we were in safe hands with d&b.”