CASE STUDY
EMPORIUM HOTEL, AUSTRALIA

ABOUT THE PROJECT

Brisbane’s Emporium Hotel at South Bank created an experience that elevates it to a class all its own. Step into the foyer — or, better yet, into its surreal elevators or any one of the stunning public spaces — and you will soon see the Emporium Hotel is, in its own words, “an exhibition in elevating amenity into an art form and a showcase of making a place into an experience.” Exquisite craftsmanship and detailing are everywhere, matched by an aural encounter that is invisible yet enveloping and unmistakably Bose.

Emporium developers, the Anthony John Group, helmed by architect Tony John and interior designer Francine John, have a unique approach to design and construction. They personally oversee every aspect of design and closely manage the fit-out themselves, ensuring every part of the project meets their exacting standards. Anthony John Group’s CEO Daniel John explained their fastidious attitude to sound, “Audio is extremely important for us at Emporium Hotel,” he noted. “We aim to provide the best guest experience possible. That includes not just the service and the rooms. For us, audio and visual were extremely important to ensure we get it right.” This means great visual impact balanced with superior audio was key to creating the ideal guest experience. From the Emporium’s interactive lifts to the framed mirror televisions in the suites, the result is a feast for the eyes and the ears.

THE BOSE PROFESSIONAL SOLUTION

JVG Sound Lighting and Visual, the audiovisual company partnering on the project, immediately grasped the importance of the hotel’s quality-first design objective. “We are a Bose platinum dealer Australia-wide and in New Zealand. So, we will always put Bose upfront for any hotel,” revealed Jade Golar, JVG director. “Given the Bose warranties, their quality and the customer support, we naturally put Bose forward to the Emporium for both the in-room experience and public areas.”
 

Bose audio permeates the public areas, bars and restaurants and is front and center in every guestroom. Complementing the in-room mirror television in each suite is a Bose Smart Soundbar 300. “We chose the 300 series as it was the number one best seller worldwide and able to deliver full-range sound without the need for a subwoofer,” Golar said. In common with other Bose in-room products, the soundbar allows maximum volume levels to be preset, ensuring the optimum experience without disturbing other guests.

Bose FreeSpace 3 Surface-Mount Satellite loudspeakers are throughout the hotel. These proved ideal in situations where the ceilings ranged from nine meters in the lobbies to three meters in the corridors. With its spectacular translucent gunsmoke onyx bar, the Piano Bar leverages a live music sound system, combining the Bose RoomMatch Utility RMU105 and RMU208 loudspeakers with recessed FreeSpace 3 Series II Acoustimass ceiling subwoofers, all powered by PowerMatch PM8500 amplifiers.

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Both Daniel John and JVG’s Jade Golar consider the brand alignment between Emporium Hotel and Bose Professional to be a perfect match. “The decision to place Bose throughout the hotel had a lot to do with my personal experience,” John recalls. “Having Bose throughout my home, I knew the product and particularly the sound quality. The option that JVG gave us to align with Bose throughout the hotel was definitely something that was highly regarded, and I’m glad we went that went down that pathway.” He continued, “We felt to align with the amazingness of our rooms, we needed to have amazing sound and a product that would blow the guests away,” he continued. “Guests love the Bose equipment, and it’s a talking point for most.”

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“Pairing the subwoofers with the mid-high FreeSpace satellites allows us to tune each system for a really warm sound at commissioning.” — Jade Golar, JVG Director