Located in the heart of midtown New York’s Flatiron District, steps from Madison Square Park, the luxury Edition Hotel was originally built in 1909 as the headquarters for The Metropolitan Life Insurance Company. Its historic 41-story clock tower offers jaw-dropping 360-degree views and is an iconic landmark against the city skyline. Ernie Lake, co-owner and creative director of EL Media Group, was tasked with implementing a full AV integration within the hotel with a high-end, 8-Ohm audio system. The system was required for the hotel’s restaurant, The Clocktower, and bar, Lobby Bar, and needed to accommodate low, background audio as well as live music and a DJ set.“We didn’t need to provide for a club setting but the clients wanted to be able to bring the power when the occasion called for it.” -Ernie Lake, co-owner and creative director of EL Media Group
After demonstrating over a dozen speakers for the client, a selection of K-array products was chosen based on its sleek design, high-power and amazing dispersion.
“What impressed everyone is that we don’t need to push the system for it to perform.” Located on the second floor of the hotel and spanning three uniquely themed dining rooms, The Clocktower is outfitted with twelve half-meter KP52 Python loudspeakers and 12 meter-long KP102 Python loudspeakers hidden among the hundreds of pieces of photography hung in gilt frames. The variable beam speakers are paired with eight 12” KMT12P passive subs and KN10S self-powered subs.
The Lobby Bar, spacious yet private with oversized floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking Madison Square Park, is furnished with six half-meter KP52 Python loudspeakers and 14 meter-long KP102 Python loudspeakers. So as not to detract from the casual elegance of the room, the line arrays were subtly installed on the walls and paired with eight 12” KMT12P passive subs and KN10S self-powered subs. All audio elements in both areas are powered by K-array KA24 and KA84 amplifiers. For Lake, who designed the system, working with and around a lot of different vendors especially on a big, high-profile job such as this one, always poses its challenges: “But if you are supplying high-quality solutions like K-array, the clients are happy and it makes the job easier.”
