Lewis CaliburnAtlantis The Royal recently installed an L-Acoustics professional sound system in its grand lobby. The installation delivers the same audio excellence found in the world’s most prestigious concert venues while meeting the distinct requirements of this architectural marvel.
The grand lobby of Atlantis The Royal is an expansive space spanning 80 metres, with soaring 20-metre ceilings and dramatic floor-to-ceiling glass walls.
This impressive architecture created a unique challenge – to deliver concert hall audio quality while preserving the visual sophistication of one of Dubai’s most striking interior spaces.
“The brief called for an audio system that could meet the highest professional standards while respecting the lobby’s dramatic architecture,” explains Huw Godfrey, Head of System Integration at Creative Technology Middle East (CTME).
“We designed a discrete solution that delivers exceptional versatility – providing both refined background music and concert-quality live performances without compromise – even in a space defined by soaring glass walls and reflective surfaces.”
Invisible Integration
RAL custom-coloured L-Acoustics X Series and S Series speakers blend into the architectural elements while delivering uniform coverage across multiple levels. The system transforms from providing subtle ambiance during daytime hours to powering vibrant evening performances – all while remaining virtually invisible to guests.
Danny Lord, Senior Project Manager at CTME, emphasises the guest experience: “We’ve created an audio environment that enhances the space, complementing the venue’s architectural magnificence while delivering exceptional sound quality.”
Technical Excellence Behind the Scenes
“L-Acoustics was chosen for its ability to seamlessly connect to the existing Q-SYS infrastructure, provide custom RAL colour options, and deliver a sleek design that could be invisibly integrated into the space,” continues Danny.
The installation takes advantage of L-Acoustics’ most architecturally refined products. The ultra-slim Syva colinear arrays, measuring just 170mm wide, integrate perfectly into architectural columns and wall edges, while compact Soka speakers disappear into the structure’s design elements.
Fourteen 5XT coaxial enclosures are cleverly concealed within the wall moldings at height, providing precise coverage to the upper levels of the space. This carefully positioned array of speakers ensures consistent, high-quality sound throughout the expansive lobby. The system is completed by four SB10i and six Syva Low subwoofers for low-end frequencies, with four LA2Xi and two LA4X amplified controllers providing power and two Auvitran AVBx3 audio networking devices ensuring seamless integration and control.
