The Nashville-based Barista Parlor coffee chain has added the old Stutz factory in Indianapolis, Indiana, to its chain, with music from a turntable spinning vinyl. This chosen method of entertainment required a bespoke sound system, prompting call to LEA Professional.
The location is a world-renowned factory that was formally the headquarters of luxury car manufacturer, Stutz. Today, it is home to a collection of makers, artists and small businesses, where all can embody the Stutz Motor Company’s tradition of hard work, artistry, and innovation.
Consistent with Stutz’s values, Barista Parlor favours a handmade approach to its furniture, lighting fixtures and now, audio. This made Joseph Hazelwood, founder of Hazelwood Laboratories, an ideal match as the integrator on the project as he specialises in handcrafted technology that is both timelessly beautiful and functional.
Hazelwood looked to LEA Professional for the audio technology that fits the unique set of needs of Barista Parlor. Since he undertakes a lot of custom work, he looked for a solution that was flexible and that he could adapt to his specific needs. LEA Professional has an open API where he could develop equipment around its platform, allowing Hazelwood to build a system that perfectly fits his and Barista Parlor’s needs.
‘I worked with the LEA team directly, and they were extremely accommodating in answering my questions about development,’ he says. ‘They were just really supportive throughout the process, and I found LEA’s products to be amazing and effortless to use but still flexible for my needs. The adaptability truly pushes the LEA amplifiers ahead. No matter how specific my needs are, I know they’ll live up to the task.’
Hazelwood specified the Network Connect Series 702 amplifier platform and worked with the LEA Cloud to provide control from near or far. The CS702 is a two-channel amplifier delivering 700W/channel, and is part of the world’s first Internet of Things- (IoT) enabled professional-grade amplifiers.
‘The LEA Cloud service is a huge benefit to me and Barista Parlor,’ Hazlewood says. ‘The fact that I can log in from here in Nashville and troubleshoot issues or make adjustments for them if they need, it’s game-changing. There’s very little that we can’t access remotely, and it saves our customers money in the long run because we don’t have to dispatch the local technician, or we don’t have to drive up there.’
To date, Hazelwood has specified LEA Professional amplifiers for systems in four Barista Parlor installations, including the CS702 in Indianapolis and Sylvan Supply in Nashville, as well as the CS354 in Hillsboro Village in Nashville and 500W in Louisville. The adaptability and accessibility of LEA Professional amplifiers have led Hazelwood to standardize on them in these past installations, with plans to continue using them in future projects.
‘Barista Parlor is a wonderfully unique coffee chain that requires a sound system just as special,’ said Scott Robins, VP of Sales at LEA Professional. ‘Our amplifiers allow each store to customise their audio experience however they need to, ensuring every song is heard beautifully from those record players. This installation reflects our goal to provide the perfect audio system for every customer, no matter their needs, and we hope every Barista Parlor customer enjoys how perfectly the music will pair with their cup of coffee.’
