Part of London’s Southbank complex, the Topolski Bar & Café has recently completed a refit, including the installation of a Martin Audio AQ loudspeaker system.
CTS Productions carried out the technical upgrade at the venue – previously the studio and gallery of Polish artist Feliks Topolski, whose works are featured throughout. The venue is constructed around the two arches and a smaller more intimate space to the rear, with Martin Audio AQ enclosures specified throughout to ensure comprehensive coverage.
CTS Productions owner, Carl Broadhurst has given each space a different ‘feel’ – Arch 1 features the main system, comprising a pair of Martin Audio AQ10, three AQ8 and five AQ5 for fills, augmented by a single WS218X sub. This room packs a punch, while remaining visually minimal. This area was specified not only to reproduce upbeat background music, but also provide sufficient power for a band and deliver clear audio for the DJs who work the booth.
In Arch 2, the system is more subdued, comprising eight AQ5 with a single AQ212 sub to provide the clean, dynamic music that can ramp up to mid club levels if required. The final space features four AQ5 with a single AQ112 sub to provide a discrete system that is capable of running as an independent space, complete with its own DJ inputs.
Additional inputs are situated in Areas 1 and 3 to accommodate any kind of audio source – from DJs to laptops to bands – while each area has its own BSS Blu-6 remote control to allow local control of input and level. A manager’s touch screen control is located in the rear office space, with a Blu-10, programmed to allow finer controls, full system muting and also an engineer log-in when required.
The system is powered by Martin MA-Q series amps; an MA6.8Q drives the main system, while a pair of MA4.8Q powers all the additional cabinets and another amplifier for the additional channel required to drive the AQ112 sub. All control and processing is handled via a single Soundweb fixed format Blu-100 DSP with a Blu-Bob output expander, programmed and tuned by Carl Broadhurst.
LMC Audio Systems supplied the equipment, with Will Hinkly managing the logistics and ensuring everything arrived on-site at the right times to meet the tight installation schedule. CTS Productions’ installation team of Broadhurst, Tadeusz Zebrowski, Daniel Burt and Matt Rehm fitted the system in four late night shifts to ensure other contractors would be free to work in the same spaces during daylight hours.
