Tateside, a London-based AV and IT systems integrator, has designed and installed a bespoke audio system for the Selfridges VIP Shopping Zone at the retailer’s Oxford Street flagship store, transforming a former meeting room floor into a lounge, bar, private dining area, terrace and event-ready DJ setup.
Jack Cornish, technical director at Tateside, said the brief called for a high-performance system centred around bold, vintage-style speakers in the main lounge and club space, supported by more discreet background audio throughout the floor.
At the centre of the Club Lounge and bar area, two limited-edition Klipsch + Ojas kO-R1 loudspeakers are suspended from the ceiling as a visual focal point, their minimalist birch plywood cabinets delivering a retro aesthetic while providing performance audio for events and DJ sessions. These are supported by Martin Audio CDD8B loudspeakers and SX212 subwoofers, with CDD6B series loudspeakers and an SX210 subwoofer in the Corner Club event space, where a floating DJ booth can route audio to other areas of the VIP gallery.
Bowers & Wilkins CCM362 in-ceiling speakers provide discreet audio in the Private Dining Room, corridors and jewellery room, while weather-resistant AM-1 loudspeakers serve the outdoor dining roof terrace. Eight Audac WX502 wall-mounted speakers support background music, speech and outdoor DJ use in the larger terrace area, with local controls for adjustment. To maintain audio quality across multiple ceiling speaker zones, Tateside used a Zero-Ohm system to preserve full-range sound while keeping the installation efficient and scalable.
Audio control across the space is managed via a fully networked Dante system, built around a Bose EX1280 processor with 64×64 Dante-based signal processing, working alongside Powersoft Unica amplifiers to power each zone. Staff can control volume levels and source selection from iPad and Mac apps, with local wall controls providing quick access in key areas, and a flexible matrix allowing sources such as the lounge DJ booth to be routed to other areas including the outdoor terrace.
Cornish said: “The floating DJ booth is not just a visual focal point but also an energy driver, allowing the space to transition from a relaxed environment to something more dynamic. The audio can also be routed to other areas in the VIP gallery, helping to create a consistent atmosphere across the space.”
Cornish added: “Ultimately, the goal was to create an environment that feels effortless but delivers a premium experience at every turn. Whether it’s a quiet, personal shopping appointment or a high-energy event, the system provides the flexibility to adapt while always sounding exceptional.”
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