case study

The Strand hotel
netherlands
When a new sound system was needed for the twolatest restaurants of lauded chef Sergio Herman,
there was only one brand for the job.

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P i ne Hou se (b re ak fa st re sta ura n t )Blu eness ( lu nch an d d in n e r re sta ura n t )THE CHALLENGE
DE E P BL UE S O UN D

Ever since Pioneer Pro Audio installed a soundsystem at Herman’s two-Michelin star Antwerp
restaurant The Jane in 2014, the chef’s team hasrefused to work with any other audio brands. “We use
their equipment because it’s high-quality and, likeus, Pioneer Pro Audio is all about a personal service.”

When they needed new systems for Blueness andPine House, the team wanted to achieve sound thatwould help to ease guests into their day at breakfast,complement the relaxed vibe on weeknights, andprovide energy when things get livelier and guest DJs
play at the weekends. With a diverse music policythat aims for an analog tone and encompasses
everything from jazz and live funk, to rock and deep,vocal house, the setup had to be versatile. And
considering the positioning of the two restaurants
inside the hotel, it was crucial to ensure sound didn’t
disturb residents or cause noise pollution outside.

Avisit to a Sergio Herman establishment is aboutmuch more than dining. Yes, the food is as
exquisite as you’d expect from the revered Dutch
chef whose restaurants have won a galaxy of Michelin
stars. But each location also strives to create anabsorbing ambiance and music is at the heart of that.
Opening its doors in 2018, Blueness became the third
restaurant bearing Herman’s name at Strandhotel, a chicwellness and culinary destination in Dutch Flanders on
the nation’s southernmost stretch of beach. Servingup a unique lunch/dinner menu of Japanese-style
bar food made with local Zeeland produce, paired
cocktails, an exclusive saké selection, and a soundtrackprovided by live DJs, Blueness truly is a one-of-akind venue. Located inside the hotel, it complements
the chilled-out vibe in the breakfast restaurant, PineHouse, where guests can lazily enjoy fresh, healthy
dishes and sweet pastries from Herman’s own bakery.

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Music is in the DNA of all
the Sergio Herman brands.
Each restaurant needs a
professional sound system.

We wanted a warm,embracing sound for all kindsof music and volume levels.

Jacco La Gasse | Brand Manager | Sergio Herman Group

Jacco La Gasse | Brand Manager | Sergio Herman Group

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THE SOLUTIONADA PTA B LE A UDIO

A

fter assessing the size and shape of the restaurant areas, Erwin Nuyts, job title at Belgian
installation company DiscoStore, knew that the XY Series was the right choice for the project.
“The speakers are voiced flat for a natural sound, so they can accurately reproduce different
genres of music,” he explains. Working closely with the Sergio Heman’s team, Nuyts recommended
a setup including XY-81 8-inch two-way loudspeakers and XY-215S dual 15-inch quasi-bandpass
subwoofers. “They sound great at lower volume and give that warm sound we were looking for.
But, despite their discreet size, there’s plenty of power when you crank the music up.”Working with DiscoStore and Pioneer Pro
Audio was a smooth process, explains
La Gasse. “They listened carefully to ourneeds and were always in close contact
with our hospitality team and the project
leader on site. When we do a renovation
or a new project it’s always smart to havespecialists on the floor. It helps us integrate
the sound system into the interior design.”

To focus sound in the right places and prevent
leakage, it was key to choose the rightmaterials for the project. Together, the teamselected acoustic fabrics for the benches
and nooks, acoustic panels for the bar, andheavy curtains to prevent sound escapingfrom the balcony. The XY Series speakers also
played their part, explains DiscoStore’s Nuyts:“They’re perfect for targeting audio dispersion
to specific zones, so you don’t have to worry
about sound spilling into the wrong areas.”

We always get personal attention from Pioneer Pro Audio.
They have an answer for every question and it’s easy
to see they’re passionate about what they do.
Jacco La Gasse | Brand Manager | Sergio Herman GroupPro Audio_Case Study_Strand_Hotel.indd 4-5

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T H E R E S U LT
WAR M SOUN D TH A T GIVE S YOU CH ILLS

We can ‘burn the house down’ when there’s a party butstill sound full and warm during a dinner service.

Jacco La Gasse | Brand Manager | Sergio Herman GroupWe got a chill when we turned on the systems for thefirst time. It’s been like that with every new soundsystem,” enthuses La Gasse. How do Herman’s
team feel about the output of the setup? “We describe
it as ‘moderate yet present’. It’s perfectly designed forour needs because we’re not a club, but we still like toadd a layer of music to the hospitable experience.”

But it’s not just the team at the restaurant who’ve been
impressed by the new XY Series speakers. La Gasse
explains that guests often comment positively on theatmosphere and music, and all of the regular and guest
DJs who’ve played in the venue are keen to return. The
press has been enthusiastic too. “Blueness is a fine-casual
food concept, so we’re often reviewed in gastronomic
magazines, food blogs, and websites,” says La Gasse.
“When they write about the warm and sexy ambiance,
we know that music is an important part of the sum.”

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About AlphaTheta Corporation (former company name: Pioneer DJ Corporation)
AlphaTheta EMEA Limited is the subsidiary of AlphaTheta Corporation responsible for sales and marketing in EMEA. For more than 20 years, the Pioneer DJ
brand has been a market leader in the design and production of innovative DJ equipment and software. The company works closely with DJs and clubs todeliver next generation products that inspire and shape the global dance music community and has recently launched a new range of musical instrumentsfor production and live performances. Its portfolio includes brands such as TORAIZ, Pioneer Pro Audio and Pioneer DJ Radio as well as social platforms KUVO
and DJsounds. AlphaTheta Corporation is a privately held company headquartered in Yokohama, Japan, and is led by President and CEO Yoshinori Kataoka.

WWW.PIONEERDJ.COM

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Pioneerproaudio

www.Pioneerproaudio.com

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