With so many rooms and architectural quirks, one of the world’s oldest restaurants – Stockholm’s Gyldene Freden – turned to installation and control specialist We Make Noise and Genelec Smart IP loudspeakers for a sound solution that would maintain its timeless charm.
‘Genelec was an obvious choice for us,’ says Emil Varli, who led the installation for We Make Noise. ‘We believe there are very few brands that can deliver a loudspeaker as compact and complete as the 4420 Smart IP model, and that’s exactly what we needed. What’s more, the owners were already familiar with Genelec, which eliminated the need for any discussions about other manufacturers.’
Located in Stockholm’s medieval Gamla Stan district, Gyldene Freden offers a taste of traditional Swedish cuisine. Since opening in 1722, the restaurant has offered guests gourmet dining alongside a glimpse into Stockholm’s history.
Due to the historic nature of the building, encountering acoustical challenges was inevitable. ‘Since the restaurant spans several floors and has very limited possibilities for running new cabling, a traditional sound installation was out of the question,’ Varli explains. ‘However, we were able to take advantage of an existing data network and implement a Dante-based solution for zone and source management.’
For installations such as this, where aesthetic is just as important as functionality, Smart IP loudspeakers are lifesavers thanks to their single-cable setup. Power, audio, and control are all delivered over a single Cat cable to reduce the need for intrusive wiring. ‘Using Smart IP made it possible to deliver a sleek installation and a great-sounding system with relatively little cabling to distract from the beauty of the restaurant,’ adds Varli.
Leading Swedish audio and visual provider Meetech handled project management, commissioning and programming of the Smart IP system. ‘The system is built on a BSS platform, expanded with Dante and equipped with local volume control panels in each zone,’ says Meetech CTO, Martin Marten. ‘It’s prepped for active subwoofers using Dante Avio adapters, leaving room for flexibility or future upgrades. Music playback is handled by two Sonos Port units.’
While the historic nature of the building presented initial complexities, the final installation came together as a streamlined, user-friendly solution for staff to use on a daily basis. ‘During commissioning, Genelec Smart IP Manager software proved invaluable,’ Marten adds. ‘It made it easy to identify and configure each loudspeaker.’
‘Fourteen 4420 loudspeakers were mounted in ceiling corners using 8000-422 adjustable wall mounts, painted in a range of colours to match the unique decoration of each room,’ Varli continues. ‘We only needed one 7050 active subwoofer, which was positioned where the dance floor would be, complemented by two larger 4430 loudspeakers for more punch. If we had chosen another manufacturer, we would undoubtedly have to add subwoofers in multiple areas to achieve the same result.’
‘Gyldene Freden has always been about more than just food,’ concludes the restaurant’s current owner, Karl Törngren. ‘For over three centuries, history, culture, and memories have been an integral part of the experience. With the support of We Make Noise and Meetech, the Genelec sound system introduces a new level of elegance and atmosphere, while preserving the focus on what truly matters – our guests and their dining experience.’
More: www.genelec.com