An extensive KV2 Audio system was installed recently at Mr Panther, a new resto-lounge in Lagos, in Nigeria, that is designed to exude luxury with its gold-accented interiors and sleek glass façades. The venue is located on the 7th floor of The Avenue Suites Hotel and transitions from a fine dining experience into a vibrant lounge as the night progresses.
The project resulted from a collaboration between venue owner Standalone Group and sound specialist Freehand Acoustics. The brief was to create a system capable of supporting both the luxury dining and a vibrant atmosphere later on. Rayan Wehbe, principal consultant at Freehand Acoustic selected KV2 after hearing the systems in similar high-energy environments.
The guest experience begins in the hotel’s lobby elevators, where the compact gold-painted ESD Cube loudspeakers deliver full-range audio. The champagne bar, located at the entrance, is equipped with four custom-painted ESD5 loudspeakers mounted on the ceiling to provide ambient background music as guests wait for their tables.
On the main floor, the audio design features a robust LCR system, with ESD10 loudspeakers positioned left and right and an ESD12 used as a centre channel. These are paired with three ESD1.18 subwoofers integrated into the furniture, delivering immersive sound while maintaining a sleek aesthetic. Under the balcony, ESD Cubes are strategically placed to ensure even sound distribution across lounges that would otherwise face limited direct sound coverage.
The VIP mezzanine section features an l-r configuration of ESD8 loudspeakers paired with two ESD1.15 subwoofers to provide a rich, bass-driven experience. Even the restrooms maintain the venue’s signature ambiance with more ultra-compact ESD Cubes.
Wehbe explained: “A crucial factor was ensuring the loudspeakers’ directivity minimised reflections in a space with challenging acoustic properties. The venue’s combination of hard floors, glass façades, and thick felt-like materials created an acoustically challenging environment. To mitigate this, the KV2 system’s controlled dispersion and precise directivity was ideal in focusing energy where needed and minimising excessive reflections.”
A Xilica Solaro QR1 processor handles the system control, with a custom-designed interface that allows the venue team to adjust levels, monitor performance, and recall presets easily from mobile devices or PCs. This flexibility is essential in a venue with shifting operational modes throughout the evening, transitioning from fine dining to a high-energy lounge.
Integrating the audio system wasn’t without its challenges. Restrictions on loudspeaker placement near the glass façade and staircase required creative solutions. “We leveraged the extensive ESD series catalogue to achieve consistent coverage, minimising level and spectral variances while adhering to spatial limitations,” said Wehbe.
