Getting the balance right

Situated on London’s iconic Strand, the Savoy Grill at the prestigious Savoy Hotel recently underwent a complete refurbishment, including its sound system, in the Spring of 2023. The new design aimed to bring the restaurant into the 21st century while retaining its timeless elegance, with luxurious and striking interiors befitting the establishment.

The sound system in this restaurant represents a key component in building a memorable dining experience. Background music was to be warm and provide ambience to diners, yet it was critical that the technology would be discreet enough to blend into the interior design. In the main restaurant, distributed K-array KV25s have been installed on custom 3D-printed brackets and finished in different RAL colours to provide a discreet solution. 

Discreet sound system

K-array’s Pure Array Technology allows for wide sound distribution on the horizontal plane and narrow on the vertical. Therefore, the amount of energy sent towards the ceiling and floor is minimised, resulting in a more focused sound beam that can cover a longer distance uniformly. KU44 subwoofers are hidden within the banquette seating, providing a low-end extension from 150Hz to 50Hz.

The prestigious Wine Room at the Savoy Grill incorporates K-array’s ultra-discreet Lyzard KZ14s installed flat to the wall, coupled with a hidden KTR24 small form factor subwoofer, providing an excellent solution for audio reinforcement within an intimate environment. Lyzard loudspeakers are one of the smallest models in the K-array product portfolio. Measuring just 10cm tall, this compact size makes it the perfect solution for discreet audio integration.

Due to the layout and design of the renowned Chef’s Table area, ceiling-mounted Tornado KT2 point source loudspeakers were deployed, again coupled with a KTR24 subwoofer located underneath the seating. Truffle subwoofers from K-array allow audio reproduction down to 45Hz (-6dB).

Interior design challenges

When it comes to The Savoy, the name alone evokes a vision of the opulence and class of yesteryear. The newly renovated Savoy Grill offers just that but with a background sound system built upon state-of-the-art technology from K-array.

Deploying loudspeakers in optimal locations from a sound design point of view, without contradicting any onsite interior design elements, posed a challenge. Multiple coordination meetings with the architect and interior design team allowed us to define the best and most discreet locations and decide on the best RAL colour finishes for the loudspeakers.

Working towards a strict deadline and a finite window for installation was another challenging aspect of the Savoy Grill integration which we overcame through effective project management and planning.

Sustainability

It was crucial for both us and the client to consider long-term sustainability. To achieve this, we implemented strategies to ensure that the products chosen were of the highest quality and would have an impact far beyond the initial implementation.

For that reason we recommended K-array due to their durable and longer-lasting products, made from materials that are easily recyclable at the end of their life, such as aluminium and stainless steel. This choice represents a step towards a more circular and sustainable economy within our industry.

Need to upgrade your audio system? Contact our in-house audio engineering team for a no-obligation chat!