Tateside has completed the design and installation of a K-array background audio system at Lilibet’s, a new restaurant in London’s Mayfair district located at the birthplace of Queen Elizabeth II. Working alongside an AV consultant and distributor 2BHeard, Tateside delivered a distributed loudspeaker system built around K-array’s Vyper series to match the venue’s upscale aesthetic.
“The scope was to design and install an elegant, yet discreet, distributed background audio system that would respect the prestigious nature of the venue,” said Joby Morris, project manager at Tateside. “The design did not require high SPL DJ playback … it was more about creating a high-fidelity sound that would complement the atmosphere across the ground-floor restaurant level, yet with enough headroom to support live musicians.”
K-array’s Pure Array Technology, which provides even coverage and minimizes hotspots, was a key factor in selecting the Vyper line. Tateside used K-array’s K-Framework software to model the system configuration and streamline on-site setup. Support from 2BHeard included acoustic simulations to validate coverage.
The system includes 14 Vyper KV25 loudspeakers and 12 Rumble KU26 subwoofers distributed throughout the dining room. Two Kommander KA18 amplifiers power the Vyper units, while a Kommander KA28 drives the subwoofers. “We tried to get as close as possible to a 1-1 ratio of subwoofers and loudspeaker elements, ensuring a single point of reference and low-end frequency extension throughout the 100-plus capacity restaurant,” Morris said.
All loudspeakers are mounted along perimeter walls, with subwoofers concealed beneath seating or within joinery. Each Vyper is finished in a custom RAL color to blend with the interior design. Tateside also supplied DPA and Sennheiser microphones for live musicians.
K-array’s Q-SYS-certified Kommander amplifiers integrate with a Q-SYS core processor for audio processing and control, with simplified end-user control via iPad. The K-Monitor software platform enables remote access, monitoring and system adjustments, while off-site design and configuration helped Tateside maintain an efficient project timeline.
“The combination of the subs and Vypers together acts as a single full-range source,” Morris said. “The result is not a typical background audio experience for diners; it is a very full and rich sound that suits the atmosphere of Lilibet’s perfectly.”
Ross Shonhan, chef and restaurateur at Lilibet’s, said, “The Tateside team went above and beyond on this project. Their precise sound mapping of the space has delivered an audio experience unlike anything I’ve heard before, and guests consistently remark on how impressive it is.”
Lilibet’s is now open to guests, pairing its dining experience with a custom K-array audio system designed to complement the venue’s refined interior and historic setting.