An extensive L-Acoustics audio ecosystem ensures consistent high-quality sound throughout this beautiful home in the riverside district of Putney, London, courtesy of integrator firm Cinergy.
In the heart of Putney in south-west London, a fusion of architectural elegance and acoustic excellence has transformed a distinguished 7,000-square-metre residence. What began as a vision for a single 5.1 media room evolved into an ambitious whole-home audio solution, expertly crafted by home integration specialist Cinergy and built exclusively around professional sound systems from L-Acoustics.
The journey began when Cinergy introduced the audiophile client to the world of L-Acoustics at the brand’s Highgate showroom. The demonstration proved transformative and what started as a focused brief expanded into a vision to create an immersive sonic environment throughout the property.
The result is a blend of technology and luxury that spans 80% of the residence. From a sophisticated media room with an integrated recording studio on the top floor to the reimagined living spaces below, each area has been designed to deliver an exceptional audio experience.
The comprehensive solution gives the family the flexibility to pursue individual musical interests, gather for shared listening experiences or host parties with family and friends.
Tom Jarvis, founder of Cinergy, says, “From day one, it was very apparent that the owner had a huge appreciation for music. His main media room is an audio-only space, without even a TV.
“What also became clear to us was that he cared about creating a consistent sound, so having one brand throughout the home really appealed – across private living spaces, areas for parties and socialising and through into the garden. He was inspired by the authentic richness and detail of the L-Acoustics sound and wanted that everywhere.”
A sound foundation
To ensure the system performed as intended, Cinergy employed L-Acoustics Soundvision 3D sound design and mapping tools to optimise speaker selection, placement and performance.
Tom explains, “The right system can be designed by L-Acoustics using Soundvision software. It’s able to tell you precisely what you need, eliminating all the guesswork from our job. It gives me a predictable system that delivers the exact same sound performance that the client experienced in the showroom.”
The installation showcases an extensive selection of L-Acoustics technology. In the main living room, 1.5m-tall Syva colinear loudspeakers with Syva subwoofers create a striking visual and acoustic centrepiece.
These medium-throw colinear source systems, capable of delivering levels up to 137dB, are complemented by an integrated network of five X4i in-ceiling speakers, two surface-mount X4r speakers and two SB10r subwoofers, one in the ceiling and one in the wall.
Tom adds, “It’s set up as a two-channel zone with the main Syva speakers and then all of the others can be paired in or out to fill the rest of the space with music, according to taste and the function of the room.”
The sophisticated audio experience continues in the library with a refined 2.1 set-up using Syva and an ultra-compact SB10i, discreetly housed within the joinery.
Adjacent spaces include a 5.1 system in the TV room with X4i in-ceiling rear surrounds and an SB10 installed in the joinery, while the kitchen diner benefits from four X4r in-ceiling speakers and an SB10i subwoofer.
Top performance
The crown jewel of the installation is found on the top floor, where a professional-grade media room and studio space are configured in a 5.1.2 Dolby Atmos set-up.
Seven X4 speakers serve as the LCR channels behind a fabric wall, while four X4r speakers provide the surround and height channels, supported by an SB10r subwoofer. Two LA2Xi amplified controllers power the configuration.
The integration of the recording studio required some ingenuity.
Tom recalls, “The rear rights needed to be moved, as they were in the space where the client wanted the desk for the recording studio. We made the desk leg 150mm thick so that we could fit the speaker into the edge of the desk while keeping it in the right location.
“The recording studio has also got a 2.1 L-Acoustics set-up, with its amplifier also mounted in the same leg.”
The solution demonstrates the attention to detail required when integrating professional-grade audio into multifunctional spaces.
Seamless control was also a priority, achieved through integration with the Control4 platform to provide intuitive management of the comprehensive audio ecosystem.
Rounding out the installation is audio in the sauna, together with intelligent lighting and shading courtesy of Lutron HomeWorks QSX, Orluna fittings and Palladiom keypads.
Networking is provided by DrayTek with Ruckus WAPs, while Control4 handles lighting, shading, audio, video, CCTV and HVAC. The property also features Sony OLED TVs, UniFi Protect security with a mixture of fixed and PTZ cameras and an HVAC system incorporating Heatmiser and CoolMaster.
Summing up the success of the project, Tom concludes, “He’s loving it, as are all the family who spend so much of their time now playing and listening to music. The L-Acoustics sound quality is off the charts and consistent everywhere you go in the property.
“We’re now taking the project one step further, bringing L-Acoustics outside as the key component in a spectacular garden entertainment system.”
Essential Kit List
Lighting & Shading: Lutron HomeWorks QSX, Sivoia roller blinds and curtain tracks, Orluna DALI fixtures and Palladiom keypads.
Networking: DrayTek network and Ruckus WAPs.
Automation: Control4.
L-Acoustics Audio: Syva and Syva subwoofers, X4, X4i and X4r loudspeakers, SB10, SB10i and SB10r subwoofers and LA2Xi amplified controllers across the main living room, library, TV room, kitchen/diner, media room and recording space.
Additional audio includes Sonance Extreme in the sauna, Triad PDX ceiling speakers and Anthem MDX amplification in secondary spaces, plus an AVPro Edge 24×24 audio matrix. Audio sources include Control4 music services, Bluesound and McIntosh turntable, pre-amp and CD player.
Video: AVPro Edge video matrix, Sony OLED TVs, Sky, Apple TV and Kaleidescape.
CCTV: UniFi Protect with fixed and PTZ cameras.
HVAC: Heatmiser for underfloor heating and CoolMaster for air conditioning.
