AIW25 Active In-Wall Speaker

Since their beginnings in 2009, the company has opened seven more restaurants and a cocktail bar in the Finnish capital of Helsinki and employs around 200 people. Farang, their flagship venue, has recently relocated to stunning new premises spread over two floors offering both public and private dining facilities plus a large bar. A key part of the overall experience is the soundscape, delivered by a comprehensive 4000 Series Genelec sound system, designed and installed by renowned Finnish AV integration specialists, 4Business Oy.

“The brief from Matti was very clear,” explains 4Business’s Janne Lankinen: “With the new premises, Farang is set to make even more of an impact on the Helsinki restaurant scene, so sound quality - along with everything else - had to be absolutely top notch. Genelec was an obvious choice for us as it matched all of the quality and reliability criteria – and Matti was already familiar with the brand as he’d used Genelec almost exclusively for his other restaurant projects.

“The layout and the surfaces of Farang were a bit of a challenge from an audio perspective,” Lankinen describes. “The feel is quite industrial with lots of exposed concrete and metalwork. There are no convenient - and sound-absorbing - false ceilings or wall panels to hide behind, so we had to make sure that all cabling, mountings and installation were done properly as everything was visible. It also meant we had to be very careful with our system design in order to minimise unwanted reflections and reverberations. The restaurant is situated in a building which also houses newly renovated offices, so we also had to ensure that there was no sound conduction through the structure to the other premises in the building, especially for the low frequencies. Finally, the restaurant is spread over two floors with a very large opening between them; not only did we need to design a system that would cover the whole area evenly with no dead spots or hotspots, but we were inevitably confronted with problems of sound leakage between the two floors.”

Lankinen and his team conducted exhaustive simulations to determine coverage before specifying a system comprising a total of 54 active Genelec loudspeakers and subwoofers. “We decided on the analogue 4000 Series loudspeakers - with Symetrix Prism DSP processors equipped with Dante I/O expanders for matrixing, EQ and delay - as it was a useful approach to optimise the overall cost,” notes Lankinen. “Our aim was to ensure that when you move around the space, the audio experience remains similar throughout, and that the sound pressure would not drop at any point in a way that you’d feel that the music was disappearing.

“We used a mixture of 4020s, 4030s and the powerful 4040s depending on required throw and maximum SPL. Every single speaker was meticulously aligned and DSP was adjusted individually for the best possible results. That, together with acoustic treatment to minimise leakage between floors has enabled us to achieve a system that works beautifully at low sound pressure levels throughout the restaurant, and still has enough power in reserve to be turned up when required for a real party atmosphere.”

For the 7300 Series smart active subwoofers that are mounted in the ceiling, 4Business designed a custom mounting solution that is mechanically isolated from the structure. This ensures that any vibrations are conducted into Sylomer absorbers rather than the hollow core slab which might cause unwanted disturbance elsewhere in the building. When it came to calibrating the subwoofers, 4Business used Genelec’s GLM software with AutoCal to speed up the final adjustment process and ensure that every element of the system was sounding its best.

Responsibility and sustainability are key principles for Farang, and Genelec supports and communicates these values.

“I’m delighted with the results,” reports Lankinen. “The audio system supports the Farang brand as a top-class, place-to-be venue in Helsinki. What’s more, responsibility and sustainability are key principles for Farang and BW Restaurants, and Genelec supports and communicates these values consistently, making them a perfect match. The atmosphere in the restaurant is social and relaxed thanks to carefully thought-out playlists and high quality sound support.”

We have crystal clear audio throughout that sounds amazing, yet doesn’t get in the way of conversation.

Matti Wikberg echoes Lankinen’s sentiments entirely. “All my goals have been achieved, and frankly, exceeded,” he admits. “Janne and his team identified the challenges from the outset and solved them beautifully. We have crystal clear audio throughout that sounds amazing, yet doesn’t get in the way of conversation, whether you’re two or ten people at the table. The right atmosphere enhances the experience immeasurably, and that’s what we’ve achieved here.”

Castrén & Snellman is one of Helsinki’s premier law firms with an enviable reputation in mergers, acquisitions and other specialised fields of business law. The company is also a pioneer of sustainable business practice in the legal services industry and was the first Finnish law firm to join the UN Global Compact initiative. The company recently carried out an extensive renovation of their client areas and staff workspaces, with the goal of taking the iconic 130-year old law firm to the next level. Castrén & Snellman turned to renowned Finnish AV integrator, 4Business Oy, who specialise in delivering tailored AV and automation systems. The solution integrated a large number of Genelec loudspeakers for flawless audio quality throughout the building.

Genelec products are a perfect match for the customer’s high quality standards.

“Genelec was simply an ideal choice for this project,” states 4Business COO Janne Lankinen. “On top of Genelec’s product quality, visual appearance and neutral sound reproduction, the company’s values and commitment to sustainable development fit beautifully into the original brief. Our aim was to modernise Castrén & Snellman’s activity–based office, including lobby areas, meeting rooms, conference rooms and training facility, with the requirement that the technology solutions would be as reliable and future proof as possible. Genelec products are a perfect match for the customer’s high quality standards, and their product lifecycle is the longest in the industry. Thanks to their sophisticated design and smart in-room calibration capabilities, Genelec products also reproduce the human voice very naturally, which makes them an excellent choice for video conferencing and speech reproduction systems.”

4Business installed a wide variety of Genelec speakers throughout the space depending on function, ranging from a pair of powerful 8351 Smart Active loudspeakers supplemented by two 7360 subwoofers in the 100-capacity event space, to the very compact 4010 and 4020 installation speakers for the wide variety of conference and board rooms.

Castrén & Snellman’s ICT Specialist, Mikko Kurhela, who worked closely with 4Business and Genelec throughout the project, describes the new system in their 100-person event space: “The solution we chose for music, speech and multimedia consists of two carefully tuned 8351 Smart Active loudspeakers, with two 7360 Smart Active subwoofers and an automatic mixer, all integrated into an easy-to-use AV system. The space is rectangular with the direction of presentation from the long wall into the room, so we needed wide angle speakers to ensure that speech is reproduced throughout the space with clarity and intelligibility. We also wanted high quality sound at low frequencies for music and multimedia, which we got by adding the two 7360 subwoofers. The speakers and subwoofers were tuned for the room using Genelec’s GLM calibration software.”

The Paja gym uses four ceiling-mounted 4020 speakers linked to a Sonos Port player for wireless music playback, while the music and speech sound system in the Tori café - which has a company library attached directly to the space - uses four 8430 IP loudspeakers. “Castrén & Snellman uses this multipurpose facility both as separate areas and sometimes as one large venue, for example for monthly company updates,” explains Lankinen. “The main challenge was to provide the flexibility for the customer to realign the layout without compromising reliability and ease-of-use. We solved this by using streamlined mobile screen stands with integrated custom loudspeaker mounts, with embedded AV-over-IP technologies for audio and video distribution combined with 8430 IP loudspeakers with their AES67 streaming capability. The customer can easily move these mobile units into the required position, and everything fires up automatically.”

Kurhela confirms that Genelec was ultimately a natural choice: “The stylish, uniform design language, audio quality, versatility and long lifecycle of the speakers were key values for us. The long lifecycle means that we’ll be able to re-use the speakers in different solutions following future renovations. As a company we are committed to finding sustainable solutions, so Genelec is a perfect fit for us from that point of view. The fact that they are an internationally renowned Finnish speaker manufacturer was also a plus.”

The final word goes to Janne Lankinen, who also appreciates Genelec products from a workflow perspective. “They are very familiar to our technical staff and thus are quick to install. Everything always works out of the box and we receive top notch support from the Genelec factory in Iisalmi. Shipments generally arrive right on time and there are no efficiency losses on site. We are able to deliver high quality, visually aesthetic, reliable solutions that last for years. It’s companies like Genelec who enable us to shine at what we do.”

When Concordia University in Montreal first opened its R. Howard Webster Library in 1992, it was a pivotal resource for students and staff, both for research purposes and as a place to work. At the time the university numbered 16,000 students. Today that figure has more than tripled to over 46,000. Consequently, the Webster Library has been undergoing a radical transformation in order to create a quality study space capable of handling the significantly increased traffic, and provide access to a more modern range of services. As part of the renewal project, the university has integrated a total of eight Genelec architectural loudspeakers that fit seamlessly into the sleek design of the Webster Library lobby. The flawless sound definition allows students to visit the library while enjoying a truly pleasant sensory experience.

The brief for Concordia’s IITS (Instructional and Information Technology Services) department was to design an audio installation as discreet as it is welcoming, acting as a transition between the calm of the officia library space and frenzy of everyday student life that reigns at the entrance of the library staircase. However, the project was subject to significant architectural, mechanical, and acoustical constraints. Given the space available in the ceiling and the materials used for the wall construction, the challenge was to create an audio environment of optimal quality, with a clean design.

Max Di Bitonto, technology coordinator at IITS, and Paul Fournier, information systems and technology manager at the library, agreed to consult pro audio and AV specialists, SFM, on which products to use. As Di Bitonto rightly points out, “Since the original concept was to obtain a soundscape that filled the entire space, while avoiding sound from spreading to the public area at the bottom of the stairs, the audio configuration had to be impeccable.”

SFM suggested the use of high-end Genelec products. Claude Ricard, SFM Sales Representative, and Mr. Di Bitonto worked together to define the concept and select the speakers. Mr. Ricard immediatelyproposed Genelec AIW25 active loudspeakers, which can be utilised both in-wall and inceiling. Seamlessly integrated into the ceiling, AIW25 loudspeakers use Directivity Control Waveguide technology to produce a wide but controlled listening area. These eight loudspeakers work independently, offering multiple possibilities for future audio experiences.

"Such an exceptional space deserves a high-quality sound zone."

Mike Calo, Genelec brand manager at SFM, explains the relevance of using AIW25 loudspeakers in a major project such as the Webster Library: “Such an exceptional space deserves a high-quality sound zone. Genelec offers a wide range of self-powered loudspeakers which are specifically designed for different types of indoor, professional or commercial installations. These built-in loudspeakers are not only powerful, precise and compact, they are also designed with an undeniable aesthetic concern. In addition, the 2-way amplification module with acoustic correction is easy to integrate via a standard 4U rack-mount kit. Finally, the built-in loudspeakers offer the technology needed to reach the target audience of a project, and therefore unleashing unbridled creativity.”

A few good brainstorming sessions and rigorous planning were needed to provide the best possible products for the implementation of such an important project. “To enrich the concept and optimise loudspeaker performance, I advised the Concordia University team to include the QSC CORE110F Digital Audio Server. This server incorporates a multitrack audio player and an easily accessible time grid via the Q-Sys Administrator application, as well as many other features intrinsic to the Q-Sys system. To further perfect this installation, I proposed the Furman PL-8C, a device that keeps the equipment safe in the event of a major breakdown or other unforeseen events,” adds Ricard. Following a rigorous tender, Sono Vidéo, an audio-video solutions company, was selected to carry out the sale and oversee the final installation of this project.

“Some students even take the time to sit on the stairs and listen to the songs from beginning to end."

The server has access to all audio material owned by the Webster Library, which offers the ability to educate and broaden students’ horizons even as they are entering or leaving the library. It provides a sensory experience that “speaks”, in terms of the quality of the space, services, and tools offered by the library. It is this type of vision, combining an immaculate plan and an intelligently designed soundscape, that makes a school a better place for all.

The initiative has been well received on behalf of the students with many expressing their appreciation of the originality and effectiveness of the approach. “Some students even take the time to sit on the stairs and listen to the songs from beginning to end, which is great as they are often coming across material they’ve never heard before,” says Di Bonito proudly. Others have said that this short moment before entering or leaving the library is a little haven of peace and a moment to savour… compared to the hustle and bustle at the bottom of the stairs!”

THE KIT

8 x AIW25

For some years now, Finnish loudspeaker manufacturer, Genelec, has been in partnership with a number of Finnish homebuilders so that AV planning is part of the fabric of the house and not just an afterthought. Incorporating AV considerations at the planning stage is a far more cost-effective approach than adding it later, and ensures professional quality audio with an immaculate finish throughout. A recent installation was for a client in Sipoo to the east of Helsinki, whose new-build property boasts a number of active loudspeakers from Genelec’s dedicated home speaker range specifically designed to bring professional audio quality into the home environment.

Genelec has been successfully serving the residential audio market for some years now, and for good reason.

The system was designed according to the customer’s wishes by Tomi Hyvärinen from AV sales and integration specialists HifiStudio in Helsinki – who also supplied and installed it – and Genelec’s domestic sales manager, Markku Syrjäpalo.

“The customer wanted a stylish, high quality background music system for the large open plan kitchen and living area on the ground floor,” describes Hyvärinen. “We installed a pair of Genelec G Three loudspeakers on the front edge of the mezzanine above the kitchen area. We selected G Threes as they are powerful enough to cover the double-height living area perfectly. Whether you’re cooking with friends or spending an evening relaxing on the sofa with a good book, high quality, detailed audio covers the entire space effortlessly, even at low levels.”

It’s a slick, high class, aesthetically pleasing solution that fully matches the quality standards of the rest of the home.

The potential issues arising from the large volume of the space and the number of reflective surfaces – namely the highly polished marble flooring and the floor-to-ceiling windows over two levels – are minimised by the fact that the whole ceiling has been acoustically treated with Konto acoustic panels, resulting in very moderate reverberation times throughout. The audio experience is continued outside onto the covered, heated terrace thanks to two Genelec AIW25 architectural loudspeakers in the ceiling. A Sonos Port streaming device in each area handles source selection and control.

The ground floor also houses a spacious, fully equipped gym for CrossFit workouts. A pair of G Threes controlled by a Sonus Port deliver high quality, high-energy audio to maintain the motivation levels!

Upstairs, another treat is in store in the dedicated TV/cinema room which has also been acoustically treated with heavy acoustic drapes from Karlevy, a Finnish company dedicated to the design and manufacture of acoustic drapes and fixings from natural fibres. The curtains mask the glass doors opening out onto the roof terrace. A pair of powerful Genelec G Four loudspeakers – designed for sonic purity at higher playback levels with greater low frequency extension - deliver flawless reproduction of music and movie productions, even at higher volumes. If required, the space may be completely opened out to provide sound for the upper floor terrace as well. As with the other audio zones, control is provided via a Sonus Port multiroom streaming unit enabling the sound from the TV to be streamed anywhere in the house – so you can still catch the hockey game whilst you’re making dinner!

“Genelec has been successfully serving the residential audio market for some years now, and for good reason,” says Hyvärinen. “Their G and F Series loudspeakers have been specially designed for integration into the home, distilling the very best of professional sound quality and minimalist Nordic design. The active loudspeaker design principle with built-in amplification makes installation easy – with no external amplifiers to worry about – and Genelec’s legendary accuracy means that audio reproduction remains faithful to the original source for a flawless listening experience.

“The installation becomes even more seamless when we are involved at the planning stage, as we were with this project,” he continues. “It means that any wiring becomes virtually invisible, and we can plan optimal speaker placement in advance. Full streaming capability is available throughout the house so the client can manage the playlist from anywhere, to any audio zone. It’s a slick, high class, aesthetically pleasing solution that fully matches the quality standards of the rest of the home.”