Posts in category: Press Release

Zone 8P audio controller reduces staff stress and saves energy.

Hotel & Wirtshaus Hansen in Bergisch Gladbach, near Cologne, recently invested in an update on its sound system. Owner Andrea Hansen was happy with his existing ten-year-old Martin Audio loudspeakers but felt that the control system had become out of date:
“Our staff regularly struggled with which button was responsible for which level in which room – consequently the sound system needed a reset once or twice a week.”

The daily pressures upon hospitality staff are always challenging and the last thing anyone wants to worry about is a complicated sound system. That’s where Optimal Audio comes to the rescue. The requirements for better control aligned with the benefits of Optimal Audio’s Zone processor and ZonePad.

Zone 8P is a zonal audio controller with DSP providing everything required in a single compact unit to become the beating heart of an efficient, high-quality multi-zoned commercial sound system and features 4 line and 2 mic inputs plus 2 HDMI inputs for TV and video sound.

It has integrated amplification making installation straightforward and cost-effective and allows the user to independently allocate sources across eight configurable zones, such as a lobby, bar or restaurant. Each zone can be configured to do precisely what is required using the intuitive WebApp including EQs, speaker presets, structured time of day routines and so much more.

The integrated eight-channel amplifier in Zone 8P provide 100 watts per channel and eliminate the need for separate amplifiers for most small to medium applications.

Once configured the sound system can be controlled by staff using any device such as a smartphone, but in this case the system was also supplemented by ZonePad 4. ZonePad 4 is an elegant wall mounted controller, providing users clear and simple access to the essential controls of up to four zones. It gives all users the confidence and access they need to operate the system and features a clean, slick intuitive touch interface, enabling selection, volume control of playback sources and microphones to be easily controlled across the zones of audio from one position.

The solution retained existing Martin Audio speakers in several rooms and added a number of Martin Audio ADORN series speakers to some outdoor areas to create a pleasant background music atmosphere.

Andreas Hansen continues:
“We can now control everything with either mobile devices or the ZonePad. If a customer is uncomfortable with the sound level in any given area, a member of staff can directly change it from his or her mobile device. The system is then able to reset itself so it’s always in the right configuration when doors open in the morning for the first breakfast guests.”

Both new and existing Martin Audio speakers were easily added to the loudspeaker presets, and an obvious advantage of the Optimal Audio solution was the significant reduction of power consumption by the removal of two amplifiers, separate analogue zone mixers, converter, all of which were replaced by the single Zone 8P unit.

Definition Audio Visual chose Optimal Audio for an installation at LIVIN’Italy in the heart of Leeds city centre. The popular bar, Italian restaurant and deli located at Granary Wharf benefited from eight Cuboid 8 on-wall loudspeakers across two floors.

The impact of a quality audio system in creating the perfect atmosphere for bars and restaurants is well established and has time and again proven to be a critical ingredient to the ongoing viability of such venues.

Cuboid 8 is a full range, two-way, passive, 8” loudspeaker designed to outperform its compact size. For short to medium throw distances, it effortlessly delivers rich and detailed sound with punch and precision.

With its wooden cabinet, steel grille and optional mounting hardware the professionally presented Cuboid 8 can be fixed in either portrait or landscape mode for a flexible, simple installation.

Cuboid 8 features an 8” low frequency driver for impressive punch and midband with a 1″ exit high frequency compression driver for clarity of vocal and high frequency projection. The HF section delivers consistent coverage in either plane from a user-rotatable horn.

Mark Blackwell, Definition Audio Visual commented:
“Rich and detailed sound quality at a very competitive price point makes the Cuboid series a highly attractive option for venues like LIVIN’Italy.”

Definition Audio Visual recently installed a sound system at The Cove, a new cocktail bar in Brighouse, West Yorkshire. They chose six Optimal Audio Cuboid 8 loudspeakers and two Sub 10 low-profile subwoofers for the main bar and seating area.

The impact of a quality audio system in creating the perfect atmosphere for hospitality, and in this case a cocktail bar, is well established and has time and again proven to be a critical ingredient to the ongoing viability of such venues.

Cuboid 8 is a full range, two-way, passive, 8” loudspeaker designed to outperform its compact size. For short to medium throw distances, it effortlessly delivers rich and detailed sound with punch and precision.

With its wooden cabinet, steel grille and optional mounting hardware the professionally presented Cuboid 8 can be fixed in either portrait or landscape mode for a flexible, simple installation.

Cuboid 8 features an 8” low frequency driver for impressive punch and midband with a 1″ exit high frequency compression driver for clarity of vocal and high frequency projection. The HF section delivers consistent coverage in either plane from a user-rotatable horn.

In the case of The Cove, Cuboid 8 was also teamed with Sub 10 for added base. Sub 10 is a slimline, passive 10” subwoofer designed for applications that call for increased impact and low frequency performance. This visually unobtrusive enclosure makes it perfectly suited where space is limited such as under banquette seating. 

It features a 10” driver with a generously sized low frequency port for reduced air noise. With a peak SPL of 127dB this is a truly punchy little sub and can be used on the ground, fixed to a wall or ceiling or flown using integral M8 inserts.

The sleek design and ease of installation offered by the Cuboid and Sub ranges made them the perfect choice for this stylish new venue.

Mark Blackwell, Definition Audio Visual commented:
“Optimal Audio very much delivers on style and substance, making the products an ideal fit for this carefully designed space.”

Alex Barrand has been appointed to the position Sales Manager EMEA at Optimal Audio.

A vastly experienced audio professional with an impressive background in audio engineering, design and installation, Alex cut his teeth on a number of large-scale festival installs before taking up the position of Head of Production at the iconic Ministry of Sound. During this period, he co-designed the legendary main room sound system with Martin Audio and gained valuable experience in the management of technical requests and budgets. In 2011 he moved to take up a global management position with Pioneer PRO AUDIO, focusing on product planning and development. According to Barrand, the opportunity to work with a new brand like Optimal Audio proved difficult to resist:

“Opportunities to be involved in helping to develop a brand from its very early stages are few and far between and not to be missed! Optimal Audio’s approach to commercial audio places the emphasis on harnessing cutting-edge technology to help deliver solutions that are easy to operate for end users. That simplicity is essential in the field, and yet all too often seems to be overlooked. I’m excited to be on board with such a fantastic forward-thinking team.”

Bradley Scott Watson, Sales Director for Optimal Audio adds:

“Alex is hugely respected audio specialist whose track record speaks for itself. He combines a high level of technical expertise with a thorough understanding of the market, and we are confident that he will be instrumental in helping to establish Optimal Audio in the front rank of commercial audio across the EMEA region.”

Optimal Audio has released the latest update to its WebApp and Zone firmware, furthering the flexibility and features that enable the simplicity of set up and operation of its commercial audio eco-system.

Zone is a series of zonal audio controllers with DSP and advanced configuration via WebApp. They are easy to install, intuitive to operate and comprise 4 or 8 zone powered and non-powered versions. WebApp brings the technology behind the Zone controller series to the end-user. Traditionally, the control and operation of commercial sound systems has been a complicated inconvenience to many users, who just want the system to work. WebApp puts all the functionality that an installer requires, as well as the ability to then present effortless and intuitive control, into the hands of the end-user.

With slick touchscreen-optimised controls, the WebApp is designed for ease of use on any device. The responsive and intuitive interface lays out the fundamental controls in a clean, accessible format with the deeper, lockable layers for system configuration available for integrators and system commissioners.

Complete system configuration can be achieved through the WebApp with ducking, EQs, limiters, advanced signal routing, programmable presets, timed events and much more. WebApp also allows for the system configuration files within Zone series products to be saved and easily replicated across multi-site installations.

Version 1.0 is now available to download from Optimal Audio’s website and offers extensive new features, audio settings and improved user interface.

Installers can now hide unused zones to create a cleaner interface, as well as having the ability within each zone settings page to hide sources from the selection list and the microphone volume controls. This ultimately can mean presenting the end-user with just the zone name and volume control – nothing could be simpler.

In addition to the existing 3-band EQ that works with the speaker tuning presets, an extra 3-band User EQ is now available to the installer on every output – all 8 line outputs and 8 amp outputs. Pairs of outputs now also independently support a bridge mode both for low impedance and for driving 70V high impedance speakers, and presets also now include Sub 10 and Sub 15 tunings.

For the installer, a clearer display for the fixed analogue EQ band has been added to all microphone EQs. To assist navigation and triggering of presets, the launch icon is now labelled. The preset list view can be re-ordered in Edit mode and helps to create a tidy list of the available presets. The installer page also has a new metering view which includes all the meters in the DSP for viewing system signal flow in one place.

Finally, Open Sound Control over Ethernet is the Zone control method from 3rd party controllers. In previous versions, only UDP message control of Routines was available but V1.0 adds support for UDP and TCP control of Zone parameters. Included in the release are a collection of example design files for TouchOSC to demonstrate use of OSC control. These give examples of every parameter, status and name to be the basis of control panels tailored to the specific application.

Summing up, Matt Rowe, Head of Engineering, commented:
“WebApp is our secret sauce to the success of Optimal Audio’s eco-system, and with this latest release we have extended the possibilities for the system integrator while improving the simplicity that can be presented to the end-user.”

For more information: https://optimal-audio.co.uk/support/software/

When I first submitted our entry, I was well aware that our chances of winning were slim and if I’m honest I did it in the hope of being a finalist and to take that honour.

When we were shortlisted there was genuine excitement in the office and while I thought the judging panel session also went well I was at pains to remind everyone at Optimal Audio that our chances remained small, especially given the size and prowess of our fellow finalists.

This reality check also meant that when the awards night rolled around, I could enjoy the evening as opposed to being on tenterhooks. When our category was eventually called and to our utter surprise we had won, the elation of the team was palpable.

Here was a new brand, barely into its second year of trading, having come through the ravages of covid and the extremities of supply chain challenges, seeing off some of the biggest names in the industry.

For me the rationale for us winning is ultimately based on the origins of what we set out to do as a company. Engineering Head, Matt Rowe’s vision for a simplified, digital based ecosystem of controllers, amplifiers and loudspeakers for multi-zone venues is matched by a quirky, challenger brand outlook that sets us apart from competitors. That freshness of thinking and approach we always felt was powerful and so it has proven to be.

While we wont be resting on any laurels, this award is internationally recognised and helps to validate our standing. We’re excited for our future and will continue to bring an energy and spirit to the commercial audio sector that drives value to our sales channel partners and venues.

I’m thrilled for everyone involved with Optimal Audio and my sincere thanks to the judging panel of AV Awards for recognising their drive and ambition.

James King
Marketing Director

Jamie Gomez has been appointed to the position of Global Marketing Manager for Martin Audio and Optimal Audio. Jamie moves to his new position from within the wider Focusrite Group, where he was GMM for Focusrite Pro. A marketing professional with a strong audio background who specialises in brand development and digital marketing, Jamie spent time with Pioneer PRO AUDIO developing an in-depth understand of sound reinforcement, before his move into the world of networked audio, recording and post-production at Focusrite PRO.

Jamie Gomez comments:

“The opportunity to return to the world of sound reinforcement and loudspeakers with not one, but two exceptional brands, is a unique and irresistible challenge, and one which I’m very excited to take on. With Optimal Audio, the chance to work on what is effectively an exciting start-up brand with an innovative edge in the commercial sector, dovetails brilliantly with the Martin Audio side of the role. An established market-leader like Martin Audio demands a different approach, but I’m looking forward to sharing my ideas and helping to maintain the brand’s position at the top of the professional audio sector.”

James King, Marketing Director for Optimal Audio and Martin Audio adds:

“One of the many advantages of being part of the wider Focusrite Group is that we have been able to present opportunities across the brands for its employees to progress. Jamie is another great example of that, and I couldn’t be happier that he has joined the team. He has a bold outlook towards marketing that I know will go a long way to accelerating the rise of the fledgling Optimal Audio brand as well helping to freshen and further the more established Martin Audio.”

UK manufacturer Optimal Audio is pleased to announce the appointment of TMP Pro as a distributor in the United States.

Optimal Audio, part of the Focusrite Group, manufactures a one-stop solution of control, amplification and loudspeakers for small to medium sized commercial installations, with a focus on supporting multi-zoned venues. Its streamlined product offering works seamlessly to deliver simple-to-install, high-quality sound systems that can easily be operated by anyone, not just engineers.

Based in Connecticut, TMP Pro is the pro audio, video, lighting, and pro accessories division of The Music People, an Exertis/Jam business which distributes more than 200 premium brands across the US. The company’s substantial distribution capacity is based on strong relationships with its brands, allied to a capacity to exceed expectations through the expertise of its certified specialists. TMP Pro’s detailed knowledge of products and systems enables its team to expertly pull together and connect the products essential to a project’s success.

David Henry, National Accounts Manager, TMP Pro welcomes Optimal Audio:

“We are proud, honoured and excited to offer our US dealers access to the Optimal Audio ecosystem. The engineers at Optimal have assembled an intuitive, powerful line up of devices with a clear focus on functionality, audio quality and simple control. It is an extremely attractive option for our clients.”

Lee Stein, VP Sales, Optimal Audio, North America adds:

“We are very pleased to partner with TMP Pro as our distributor for the United States. I have had experience of working with them over many years and know them to be very knowledgeable, highly professional, and closely attuned to the needs of their customers. They’re a great fit for Optimal Audio and are perfectly placed to deliver our user friendly solutions to the US commercial audio market.”

Optimal Audio has announced new additions to its Cuboid line up of loudspeakers, with four models introduced, available in black or white as standard.

The new additions comprise Cuboid 3, Cuboid 3TX, Cuboid 5 and Cuboid 5TX.
Cuboid 3 is a full range, two-way, passive 3” loudspeaker, designed to give exceptional sound quality in a very small form factor, for distributed applications with high quality background music and speech reproduction.

With its attractive design and included mounting hardware, Cuboid 3 can be fixed in either portrait or landscape orientation for simple and flexible installation. A weatherproof terminal cover is available as an aftermarket accessory for outdoor use, bringing the rating to IP54.

Cuboid 3 features a 3.5” low frequency driver and a 0.5” PEI dome high frequency driver mated to a shallow wave guide for consistent HF distribution.

Cuboid 3TX adds a transformer, enabling the speakers to run on a series of 70 or 100V taps or at low impedance. Tap selection is via a rotary switch on the rear of the cabinet.

Cuboid 5 and Cuboid 5TX follow in similar fashion and feature a 5.25” low frequency driver and a 0.75” high frequency driver.

The new Cuboid additions will start to ship in APAC from November, EMEA from December, and the Americas in the new year.

Managing Director Dom Harter said:

“We’re delighted to extend the popular Cuboid series – these new additions open the brand to additional indoor and outdoor applications with sound quality that will delight. When coupled with the Zone series and the WebApp, setting up a system and end-user control is then also simple and intuitive.”

Optimal Audio is pleased to announce they have been shortlisted for manufacturer of the year at this year’s AV Awards.

These coveted awards are seen as recognising and rewarding the whole AV Industry – the people, businesses, projects and technology that has stood out against the competition over the past year.

Dom Harter, Optimal Audio Managing Director comments:

“We’re thrilled for Optimal Audio to be recognised in this way in it’s very first commercial year. To be alongside such recognised names of the industry is truly humbling and I’m delighted for the entire Optimal Audio team that has helped make this happen.”