Two of Malta’s most distinctive dining establishments have elevated their culinary experiences with the installation of L-Acoustics professional sound systems. LOA, a South American-inspired seaside venue in St. Paul’s Bay, and Aki, an Asian fusion restaurant in Valletta, now boast audio environments that complement their unique atmospheres and cuisine.
LOA (pictured), near the historic Wignacourt Tower, draws inspiration from the ancient Río Loa River and LOA goddesses. This bright seaside venue offers a culinary journey through Argentina, Chile, Peru, and Mexico. Meanwhile, Aki, in Malta’s capital city, presents a modern twist on Asian cuisine in a sleek, stylish setting. Part of a franchise with a venue in London, Aki combines Japanese, Chinese, and Southeast Asian culinary traditions and is known for its artistic food presentation and expertly crafted cocktails.
Both venues required unique audio solutions to enhance their distinct characteristics and accommodate their transition from background music during dining hours to energetic DJ performances in the evening.
The installation at LOA features a combination of 34 5XT coaxial enclosures and 10 SB15M subwoofers, providing balanced coverage both indoors and outdoors in the restaurant and lounge.
Aki’s system includes six X4i and 12 5XT coaxial enclosures, six X8 coaxial point source speakers, and four SB15M subwoofers, strategically placed to cater to different areas of the restaurant, bar, lounge and private dining room.
The venues are powered by six LA4X and four LA2Xi amplified controllers respectively, with LOA also utilising an LA12X for additional power and control.
The DB Group, owners of both restaurants, sought a versatile sound system to enhance the ambience without overpowering the dining experience. To achieve this vision, DB Group partnered with Black Box, L-Acoustics system integrator partner in Malta since 2017.
The project presented unique challenges, including the need for multi-zone setups to accommodate different music levels throughout the restaurants and the requirement for high-quality sound reproduction at both low and high volumes. David Zammit, technical and sales director at Black Box, led the project, using L-Acoustics Soundvision software to model the acoustic environments.
Zammit said: “Working with L-Acoustics products allows us to deliver audio experiences that truly complement the atmosphere these restaurants have carefully created. The dynamic range and sound quality of L-Acoustics systems, even at low volumes, set them apart from other brands in the industry.”
