Powersoft’s Unica amplifier platform is elevating the audio experience at Maison Bâtard, a Melbourne dining hotspot.
From the outset, Lucas Restaurants and long-time audio partner Zelo Group set their sights on performance that would elevate Maison Bâtard beyond the usual restaurant experience. The basement entertainment space, Le Club, demanded full-scale nightclub capability, while the restaurant and rooftop terrace required discreet but equally refined audio coverage. Meeting those ambitions called for amplification that could deliver club-grade punch one moment and subtle, crystal-clear ambience the next.
“Unica represents a genuine step forward in amplifier technology,” says Ben Clarke of distributor PAVT, who worked closely with Zelo on the design. “Its power-sharing architecture means a single standardised model can serve the entire venue. All available wattage is dynamically distributed where it’s needed, so you avoid racks of different amp types, and you gain flexibility that operators really appreciate.”
For a high-profile site like Maison Bâtard, reliability and serviceability were critical. Unica’s redundant cooling, front-panel foam filters for easy cleaning, and PoE-powered front end allow commissioning and remote diagnostics even before mains power is applied, ideal for a venue where downtime and visual clutter are unacceptable. Powersoft’s “easy-swap” approach to DSP modules adds further peace of mind, enabling quick on-site replacement by non-technical staff if ever required.
Throughout the building, Powersoft amplification drives a carefully tuned EAW loudspeaker system, from the MKC series in the dining spaces to the high-output MKD rig in Le Club.
Le Club has already hosted private events from global artists, including a memorable night where Drake pushed the system to its limits and left impressed. Upstairs, diners can enjoy music that enhances rather than competes with conversation, thanks to the same Powersoft backbone and a design that integrates acoustics from the earliest architectural stage.