Even by Thailand’s own standards, the Woobar at W Koh Samui Retreat is special. Situated on the island of Koh Samui, it offers views of the Gulf of Thailand and cocktails prepared by world-leading mixologists. Adding the soundtrack is Woobar’s audio system.

Until recently, however, the hotel of which the venue is an important part also contains a luxury villa where guests were being disturbed by Woobar’s DJ sets and background music. Enter Vichai Trading to propose a new system able to deliver more highly targeted audio…

Based in Bangkok, Vichai Trading is one of the region’s leading A/V specialist, having worked on projects ranging  from conference centres to entertainment venues. To solve the problem at the Woobar, the company turned to the beam steering expertise of Renkus-Heinz.

‘The main requirement was to stop the sound escaping down to the guests and affecting their relaxation,’ says Patiyuth Gludnim from Vichai Trading. ‘Music is playing in the Woobar from 2pm to midnight, so the potential to disturb guests sitting below was obviously quite substantial.’

Having recently specified Renkus-Heinz IC Live line array technology at a museum project in the region, Gludnim and his team knew that the system would prove similarly effective at the Woobar. A single discrete column is all that was required to ensure optimum coverage. Intelligently engineered for live sound, IC Live has been part of the Renkus-Heinz Digitally Steerable loudspeaker range since 2005, and is designed to deliver a full range performance while maintaining the beam control that keeps the sound on the audience only.

‘The project was recently completed, and the Woobar has since been used to celebrate a number of special events as well as entertaining guests on an everyday basis,’ says Gludnim. ‘The response to the IC Live solution has been extremely positive. It is providing the directive audio that was required to allow the Woobar visitors to carry on enjoying the music – and the villa guests to enjoy their peace.’