4430A Smart IP Asennuskaiutin

Akukon Oy on akustiikan, meluntorjunnan ja audiovisuaalisen suunnittelun ykkösasiantuntija Suomessa ja Baltiassa. Heidän tavoitteensa on luoda parempia elinoloja suojelemalla ihmisiä ympäristömelulta, edistää tilojen turvallisuutta ja käytettävyyttä sekä visuaalista ilmettä. Vuoden 2021 lopulla yritys avasi uuden, uraauurtavan tilan – Akukon DemoLabin – joka on paikka erilaisten tilojen akustiikan ja melun mallintamiseen. Akustiikkaa voi kuunnella jo ennen kuin suunniteltu rakennus on valmis. DemoLabin huone on kauttaaltaan varustettu Genelec 4430 Smart IP -kaiuttimilla ja kahdella 7350 Smart Active -subwooferilla.

"Akustinen suunnittelu on olennainen osa nykyaikaisia rakentamis- ja ympäristöprojekteja", sanoo Akukonin akustikko ja projektipäällikkö Perttu Laukkanen. "Akukonin DemoLab vie akustisen suunnittelun uudelle tasolle." Laukkanen kertoo, että DemoLab on suunniteltu mahdollistamaan auralisaatio, tekniikka, jolla virtuaalinen ääniympäristö voidaan toistaa useiden kaiuttimien avulla, jotta saadaan realistinen kuva tilan akustiikasta tai meluympäristöstä.

"Esimerkiksi, DemoLabin avulla voimme vertailla eri äänieristystasojen vaikutuksia eri huoneiden välillä, ymmärtää huoneen akustisen suunnittelun vaikutusta tietyssä tilassa tai asettaa suunnittelutavoitteen esimerkiksi raidemelun tunkeutumiselle asuin- tai toimistorakennuksissa", hän sanoo. "Näiden erojen selittäminen desibelien ja hertsien numeeristen arvojen avulla on erittäin vaikeaa. Kun asiakkaat kuulevat eron itse, se muuttuu yhtäkkiä todelliseksi abstraktin sijasta ja antaa heille mahdollisuuden tehdä tietoisia päätöksiä kustannusten ja akustisen laadun suhteen."

Akukon valitsi Genelec Smart IP -kaiuttimet, koska ne olivat optimaalisin ääniratkaisu uuteen tilaan. Akukon-akustikko Javier Gómez Bolaños selittää miksi: "Simuloidun äänikentän realistisen toiston saavuttamiseksi auralisaatio vaatii kaiuttimia, jotka tarjoavat absoluuttisen neutraalisuuden eivätkä väritä ääntä. Lisäksi olimme kiinnostuneita kaiutinkokoonpanosta, joka voi kasvaa, on helposti hallittavissa ja sen asennustyöt ovat minimaaliset. Tästä syystä etsimme audio-over-IP-kaiuttimia.

"4430 Smart IP -kaiuttimet olivat meille ihanteellinen ratkaisu", hän jatkaa. "Ne tarjoavat Genelecin studiomonitoreille ominaista korkeaa laatua ja tarkkuutta; ne voidaan konfiguroida helposti Smart IP Manager -ohjelmistolla, ja PoE+ -ominaisuuden ansiosta kaiuttimia voidaan helposti asentaa lisää käyttämällä ylimääräisiä CAT-kaapeleita. Niiden aktiivinen muotoilu tarkoittaa, että ulkoisista vahvistimista (tai vahvistinkaapeleista) ei tarvitse huolehtia, joten asennus on poikkeuksellisen yksinkertaista.

Akukon DemoLabin kaiutinkokoonpano koostuu yhdeksästä vaakatasossa olevasta 4430:stä, lisäksi viidestä 4430:stä yläkaiuttimina ja kahdesta 7350-subwooferista matalille taajuuksille. Kaikki kaiuttimet kalibroitiin Smart IP Manager -ohjelmistolla kuuntelualueen tasaisen taajuusvasteen aikaansaamiseksi.

"Olemme erittäin tyytyväisiä tuloksiin", Perttu Laukkanen toteaa. "Olemme luoneet tilan, joka on erityisen hiljainen, huoneakustiikaltaan neutraali ja mahdollistaa erilaisten akustisten ilmiöiden tarkan kuuntelun ja vertailun. DemoLabissa luodut ääniympäristöt voidaan kalibroida vastaamaan lähes täsmälleen todellisia ääniolosuhteita käyttämällä edistyneimpiä laskentamenetelmiä akustiikan ja tilaäänen toistamiseksi. Tehokkaiden subwooferien ansiosta voimme jopa mallintaa ja kokea matalataajuisen tärinän vaikutukset tilassa."

"Akustiikan kuuleminen tarjoaa korvaamatonta lisäarvoa monimutkaisten asioiden ratkaisemisessa", Laukkanen sanoo lopuksi. "DemoLab on todella ainutlaatuinen tila, joka tuo uuden ulottuvuuden akustiikkaan, ja Genelecillä on ollut siinä keskeinen rooli."

The company has recently made their own transition to magnificent new headquarters in Helsinki, designed according to sustainable practices with the aim of achieving optimum efficiency and wellbeing. AV solutions experts 4Business Oy were called in to design and implement all the AV technologies for the new premises, which included a Smart IP audio solution from Genelec.

One of the biggest issues to be addressed from an audio point of view was auditory comfort in Ilmatar’s open workspaces - an integral part of any modern, activity-based office today. However, one of the inherent problems of any open plan workspace is a lack of privacy and disruptive noise coming from elsewhere in the environment. Ilmatar was determined to create the most comfortable and efficient working environment possible in their open plan areas, and so paid great attention to sound behaviour in these spaces.

“The lobby and open work areas, as well as the meeting rooms and offices, are all exceptionally well designed from an acoustic point of view, with excellent reverberation times,” notes Janne Lankinen of 4Business. “There are also absorbing screens between the desks, and the background noise caused by ventilation has been minimized. Nevertheless, while these measures help considerably, they cannot resolve the issue completely. To achieve optimum results, we designed and implemented a custom sound masking system – starting with a high quality audio solution - specifically tailored to Ilmatar’s requirements.”

It met all of the client’s criteria for quality, as well as being the most sustainable audio solution.

Based on detailed coverage simulations, 4Business implemented a comprehensive Genelec audio system; a total of twenty 4420 Smart IP speakers were distributed across two separate open plan spaces. “We selected Genelec’s Smart IP solution as it met all of the client’s criteria for quality – both sonically and materially – as well as being the most sustainable audio solution available,” explains Lankinen. The Smart IP technology platform delivers power, audio and control over a single CAT cable across a digital audio network – in this case, Dante – making them exceptionally easy to install and ensuring that the systems are fully scalable.

“The site-wide loudspeaker system was individually measured with room acoustics analysis software and adjusted using Genelec’s Smart IP Manager software to ensure the most transparent audio reproduction possible,” continues Lankinen. “Technical criteria aside, the fact that Genelec is a native Finnish brand and manufactured in Finland according to sustainable principles was also extremely important for Ilmatar.”

Implementation of the masking signal itself fell to Pyry Survo, sound designer and composer for WSP, global infrastructure experts. Survo designed the signal to be as pleasant and even as possible – an ambient background sound that mimics airflow and is specifically engineered to match the frequencies of human speech and to sound comfortable. The sound is audible but not intrusive and serves to reduce speech intelligibility in the surrounding environment. Nearby conversations or telephone calls are no longer a distraction, ensuring comfort and privacy for all concerned.

“A high quality sound system and careful spatial measurement of the audio signal avoided the ‘whoosh effect’, which is a problem with low quality speakers and the wrong type of audio signal,” explains Lankinen. “The masking system generates a multichannel audio signal to avoid the sound distortion caused by differences in speaker distance that typically occurs with mono sound masking systems.”

In addition to the sound masking, Ilmatar had another objective; to create a unique atmosphere that reflects the company ethos of working with nature in order to preserve it. A generative soundscape emulating a natural marine environment with sounds of the sea, seagulls, and of course, the wind – was created for the entrance lobby and implemented using a WSP multichannel soundscape player and eight Genelec 4430 Smart IP active loudspeakers. Virtual nature is created with algorithms that mimic the mechanisms and the timelines of the natural world so that the soundscape remains as authentic as possible and avoids playlist-like repetition. A soothing four-channel forest soundscape was also created for the café area which is equipped with four Genelec 4430s in white.

We are delighted with the outcome and believe that we have one of the most comfortable offices in Finland.

Mikko Toivanen, VP and co-founder of Ilmatar Windpower Oy is delighted with the results: “Our goal was to create the best office in Finland for our staff; making full use of new innovative technologies in terms of comfort and usability was a major goal. This was achieved by 4Business thanks to their consultative sales methods and technical expertise, ensuring an excellent end result. We are very pleased with the outcome and believe that we have one of the most comfortable offices in Finland.”

Based in Stockholm’s vibrant Bibliotekstan district, Cecil Coworking is a stunning example of the new concept which sells service packages rather than renting office space. The accent throughout is on design to promote efficiency and wellbeing in an elegant yet inviting environment. Genelec Smart IP technology provides a fitting audio solution for this new, smart working environment.

The solution to remain cost-effective, easily serviceable, easy to install, and sustainable.

The audio system, along with the rest of the AV systems throughout the 3,200 square-metre space, was designed, supplied and installed by corporate AV systems integration specialists, Scan AV Kommunikation AB. “The aim was to provide a complete background music solution that offered high quality sound over the entire two floors of the Cecil Coworking location,” describes Magnus Westin, AV systems design engineer at Scan AV. “The solution had to be widely scalable and fitting for the premium environment; that meant impeccable sound quality and pleasing aesthetics with minimum visual impact. However, the solution still needed to remain cost-effective, easily serviceable, easy to install, and sustainable. That’s a lot of boxes to tick, but Genelec’s Smart IP loudspeaker solution was the obvious answer.”

Smart IP is a recent development from Genelec that delivers audio, power and control over a single network cable. This hugely facilitates installation whilst maintaining Genelec’s signature sound quality. “Delivering the solution over a planned network proved to be the most cost-effective solution, enabling us to plan installation and loudspeaker placement down to the last detail,” explains Westin. “Smart IP technology is an absolute godsend for projects like this – having audio, power and control delivered over a single cable eliminates the need for additional power outlets near the speakers and avoids having to install proprietary speaker cables that might interfere with other installations. This keeps everyone’s blood pressure at manageable levels and enables us to deliver an accurately costed project with a very competitive cost per unit.”

It was a challenge finding suitable locations for the loudspeakers that met the requirements of the architects without impinging on the overall audio experience. Scan AV had to be quite creative with speaker placement, but careful positioning, judicious use of mounting accessories and almost invisible cabling has resulted in a sleek installation that matches and even contributes to the high quality look and feel of the rest of the project’s fabulous architecture, floor-planning and exquisite design elements.

“We’ve placed the speakers on shelves, tables, in ceiling recesses as well as more traditional wall placements,” continues Westin. “We used a variety of mounting options from Genelec including some sleek colour-matched table stands that were used on top of window sills plus some custom ceiling mounts. The aim was to create an immersive sound experience in all zones whilst maintaining harmonious aesthetics. The ability to have the same product throughout, with the only variations being placement and mounting accessories, was a complete win for this project. It looks amazing and we used Genelec Smart IP Manager software to calibrate each loudspeaker individually for optimum sound quality throughout.”

Smart IP speakers truly display awesome strength when used with high demands on sound quality.

Scan AV installed a total of 36 Smart IP loudspeakers as part of a distributed system split into twelve zones over two floors, all connected with fibre-stacked network switches acting as a single, giant switch. There are 34 compact 4420loudspeakers spread evenly across the entire office area and all open spaces, and two slightly more powerful 4430s in the bar area. All control is through a customcoded AMX system with touch panels for easy control of zones, volume, content, presets, and time/calendar based events. The system also allows for total control from a remote location, keeping costly and intrusive on-site visits down to a minimum. A total of five selectable stereo sources can be distributed to all 36 individual speakers or assigned to the twelve pre-defined zones.

“Genelec’s Smart IP speakers truly display their awesome strength when used in these types of projects with high demands on sound quality, even when perhaps changing a project’s environment or design completely for a particular area,” concludes Westin. “It’s immensely flexible and allows us to adapt to changing requirements as we go along. Cecil Coworking is a wonderful space and a fantastic example of how design and technology work together for the greater good. My only wish is that in the near future we will see even more Smart IP loudspeaker models, so we can include them in even more applications!”

The Finnish Embassy has recently renovated part of their buildings to bring them up to the modern standards that are representative of the best that Finland has to offer. A Genelec Smart IP loudspeaker solution was installed as part of the project, to ensure that the technology matched the exacting standards of the rest of the renovation.

Mikke Kinnari, Vice Consul and 3rd Secretary of Administrative Affairs at the Embassy was in charge of the renovation project. “We wanted the best possible experience for our guests, ideally using Finnish products,” he explains. “Having studied several options from a variety of suppliers, we decided that the Genelec Smart IP solution with its easy, single-cable installation and extremely high quality audio offered the best possible solution for our requirements.”

The buildings of the Finnish Embassy – like many in Japan – are constructed with very thick reinforced concrete in order to withstand the earthquakes that are common in the region. Kinnari reveals that the impracticability of drilling any more holes than necessary in order to run cables was a major factor in the decision to adopt a Smart IP solution, which delivers audio, power and loudspeaker management over a single CAT cable. However, he points out that this wasn’t the only criteria:

“The physical elegance of the solution was also important because we have a lot of very high level visitors here – we have received the Imperial family of Japan, the President of Finland, and many other ministerial and high level visits. The elegance of the room, with beautiful Finnish furnishings that project the image of Finland, was important. The Genelec speakers are very aesthetic in their own right, and the fact that we could totally hide the cabling contributes to the high class feel of the space.”

The Embassy appointed AV integration specialists, Astro Serve Ltd., who installed a total of nine 4430 and two of the smaller 4420 Smart IP loudspeakers across four separate zones in the newly renovated guest facility: the entrance, the conference room, the dining room and an informal lounge area. Astro Serve’s Michinari Sato notes that the Smart IP concept facilitated a ‘clean’ installation with no compromise on quality. “We were specifically requested to make the installation as neat as possible with no visible cables anywhere. Normally, you need a power supply to set up an active speaker, but the Smart IP concept delivers power over Ethernet (PoE) and so only one LAN cable is required. This made it much easier to deliver impeccable results. We were able to precisely tailor the audio response to each room via the Dante network using Genelec’s Smart IP Manager software, which is a big advantage. Finally, an IP networked solution enables us to easily manage and reproduce high quality audio across a number of locations seamlessly. Control is managed via a Crestron touch panel controller that non-technical staff or guests can easily handle. Alternatively, they can select content from their own devices connected to the network, or mirrored from the PC.”

Genelec speakers are made of 95% recycled aluminium and produced with renewable energy.

Sustainability was another important factor in the decision-making process. Pekka Orpana, Finnish Ambassador to Japan, relates: “In Finland, sustainability is important to us. Genelec’s speakers are made of 95% recycled aluminium and produced with renewable energy making them an obvious choice for our renovation. Not only are they produced in a sustainable way, but they are very long-lasting and can be easily calibrated to any space again and again if we decide in the future that we’d like to use them elsewhere. Finally, they are very beautiful. Finnish design is well known and appreciated in Japan. The grace and natural look of these speakers fits tremendously well with each room.”

When I heard them for the first time, it felt as though we had a live pianist in the room.

However, whilst design is important, Orpana emphasises that the most important element is the sound. “The Smart IP solution has made it possible to have perfect sound quality,” he says. “When I heard them for the first time, it felt as though we had a live pianist in the room. The sound is really clear and natural.”

Kinnari agrees: “We now have at the Embassy a fantastic loudspeaker system that brings all our events to a level of quality that we have never had before. This includes the webinars, teleconferences and virtual events that have become so essential during the pandemic – from an audio perspective, it really feels as though the person speaking is right there in the room with you. It was perfect timing for us to invest in a Genelec system and we’re proud to represent the essence of Finland to our guests.”

Formerly known as the Tribeca Grand Hotel, the Roxy Hotel is a four-pearl, 201-room property in the heart of Manhattan's Tribeca neighborhood. It’s hip and cool – amenities include an in-room pet goldfish (on request) and free loaner bicycles – and multiple bars offer regular live music, including a jazz club and cocktail lounge. The newest amenity is a cozy cocktail and dining area under the hotel’s marquee, designed for a bite and sip in a pandemic-safe environment. But the hotel didn’t skimp on sound: a pair of Genelec 4430A Smart IP Installation Speakers were installed there over the summer by integrator Essential Communications, which had earlier installed and then updated the hotel’s distributed sound system.

Genelec is all about sound quality.

“The Roxy is all about music and all about great sound,” says David Schwartz, President of Essential Communications, which specializes in AV for hospitality clients, among others. “When you want to convey the idea of quality, Genelec is the best choice of speaker, because Genelec is all about sound quality. It’s why musicians, record producers and recording engineers use them.”

And the Genelec 4430A was the perfect fit for the hotel’s needs. Weighing barely 11 pounds, and approximately 11 inches high, seven inches wide and seven inches deep, the 4430 delivers full-range sound in a compact package, and its weather-resistant finish makes it perfect for covered outdoor applications such as this. But what also caught Schwartz’s attention was its inclusion of power-over-Ethernet (PoE) and Genelec’s traditional self-powered operation. The 4430A offers power, audio and loudspeaker management via a single standard CAT cable, delivering unrivalled flexibility, cost-effectiveness and simplicity of installation. “I had been talking about that idea for years, and when Genelec delivered that in the 4430, I knew this was the speaker for this project,” he says. Integration of the 4430As with the existing Dante™ protocol audio transport network was a simple task. “A single cable back to the PoE switch we had installed there, create a zone for it in the sound-system processor, and we were done. And they loved the sound.”

They also liked the value. Schwartz remarks, “In addition to the level of quality you’re getting, you also have to factor in that you don’t need to buy and install and wire an amplifier. Combined with the PoE connection, everything over one cable, this was a very cost-effective installation. And combined with the great sound, it’s a complete winner.

It has recently reopened after the most extensive renovation project in its 130-year history. Four years on and 130M Euros later, he food hall has regained its former glory and developed into a modern and sustainable trading venue, complete with a Genelec Smart IP loudspeaker solution for the Saluhall’s largest and most prestigious trader, Lisa Elmqvist.

In order to find a suitable audio solution to cover the various zones, Lisa Elmqvist turned to Stockholm AV integrator and pro audio specialist, JAM Stage & Proaudio, who quickly concluded that a Genelec Smart IP system was the ideal solution.

“The mission was to supply a high quality audio solution that could cover all of the various customer areas with ease,” explains JAM’s Dragan Nedeljkovic. “We needed a system that could deliver a tonal balance with good dispersion and off-axis response, to counter the noisy environment and create an oasis of calm for the restaurant diners. We also needed to be able to zone the areas efficiently to cater for events and other scenarios.”

However, given the extremely tight timescale and the constraints of the building, JAM’s choices were limited. “It may have taken four years to complete the renovations, but there is a tendency in these types of projects to allow less than a week to worry about sound!” Nedeljkovic says with a wry grin. “This one was no exception. We only had three days to deliver a complete solution with little or no information to go on regarding placement, power access, distances, and so on. Plus, we were working in a classified building where the only accessible space for racks was in the basement and cabling options overall were extremely limited. The only truly viable option was to run the entire project over IP. Genelec’s new Smart IP loudspeakers – with audio, Power-over-Ethernet (PoE) and control all over a single standard network cable – were simply the perfect solution.”

Nedeljkovic and his team implemented a Dante network running a total of 19 Genelec 4430 Smart IP loudspeakers across six zones. A single standard network cable delivers power, control and the audio signal to each loudspeaker, with Genelec’s sophisticated Smart IP Manager software handling device discovery on the network, room EQ, calibration, delay and other functions. A cost-effective Xilica Dante interface and a touch panel facilitate routing, source selection and zone control.

“Honestly, the Smart IP solution from Genelec solved all my problems,” declares Nedeljkovic. “Despite having almost no time to design a system, the client nevertheless had extremely high standards when it came to audio quality. However, with Genelec, exceptional audio quality is a given, so that box was ticked straight away. With so little space or room for manoeuvre in installation terms, we required an active solution at the very least, and ideally something that could run on a Dante network to reduce cabling. The cherry on the cake with Genelec’s Smart IP system is that the same cable also delivers power, so that’s another problem solved.

“Finally, late in the installation process, the client decided that they’d like to add an additional zone to the original specification of five zones. In any non-network-based audio system, this would normally require considerable head-scratching to come up with a solution, plus additional cost for added amplifiers and possibly some additional mixers and/or DSP. In this case, all it required was some patching in the Dante Controller software, a couple of button presses and 25 minutes of configuring and tinkering to magically solve the problem, and bingo – the desired solution is delivered to the happy customer! You can also route L/R channels within Dante Controller as appropriate to achieve the best stereo listening experience in any given zone, which is a huge advantage. This kind of flexibility is priceless and clearly a huge advance in the world of AV integration.”

In the wake of the unmitigated success that is G Livelab Helsinki, the Finnish Musicians’ Union has opened a brand new – and bigger – venue in the vibrant city of Tampere, some 200km north of the Finnish capital. The same team was deployed to realise the Tampere project which is built according to the same ‘music first’ philosophy as Helsinki. The result is an extraordinary live music experience based on quality programming, modern design, and state-of-the-art Genelec audio systems including the ground-breaking new 4430 Smart IP loudspeaker.

Housed in a striking red brick building which was formerly the boiler house of the Frenckell paper mill in the heart of the city, the venue hosts up to 250 people and offers a hugely varied programme including jazz, folk, world music, pop/rock, chamber music, electronic music and more. Akukon Oy designed the acoustics, electroacoustics, lighting, sound, video, communication systems and basic IT structure as well as the rigging systems, as they did for Helsinki, and leading Nordic AV integrator, Bright – another key member of the Helsinki team – brought Akukon’s vision to life.

“Genelec was already a tried and tested solution with the first G Livelab project in Helsinki which has had great reviews,” explains Bright’s Head of Installation, Santtu Sipilä. “People really liked what we achieved in Helsinki, so it was an obvious decision to equip the Tampere club with Genelecs as well.”

The biggest difference between the two venues is the space – Tampere is much bigger with significantly higher ceilings. Although this posed certain challenges in terms of acoustic treatment, it also allowed greater freedom for the audio design.

The second notable difference is the use of Genelec’s 4430 Smart IP loudspeakers which weren’t available at the time of the Helsinki installation.

“We definitely wanted the new 4430s for easier cabling and added control; it’s opened up a world of possibilities for us,” admits Sipilä. “We have a fully networked system running on Dante – this includes the big loudspeakers used for the main PA – and any of the 4430s can take any signal from anywhere. This means that we can use the same loudspeakers for virtual acoustics, surround sound, background music, delays… the possibilities are endless, and it’s enabled us to considerably reduce the total amount of loudspeakers required in order to achieve what we wanted. We are able to make art with loudspeakers and we are not limited in any way in terms of how we can use the system.”

Tapio Ilomäki, the project manager for Akukon, agrees: “Our primary objective was the same as for Helsinki: to deliver a high-quality system with high musicality that serves the performer best. However, the versatility of systems and spaces was a key element of the design; modern venues need to be multi-purpose and they have to be able to facilitate these changes as quickly and easily as possible, for optimum functionality and quick return on investment. The use of the 4430s plays an important role at this level as well as offering extremely musical sound with very low distortion.”

The ability to have everything delivered over just a single cable is every installer’s dream.

Sipilä is also extremely impressed with the PoE (Power over Ethernet) capabilities of the 4430s. “We were really surprised by the SPLs and sound quality from this size of loudspeaker over PoE. We honestly didn’t think it was possible, so yes, we’re very impressed. The ability to have everything delivered over just a single cable is every installer’s dream, so I think that Genelec’s Smart IP range will be figuring in a great many of our future designs!”

In addition to the 4430s, the main PA system comprises a pair of 1236 SAM studio monitors, the flagship of the Genelec range, seventeen S360s for surround and delay, a pair of 1238s as the first delay line, and finally a flown sub array of nine 7380 subwoofers. “We didn’t have either the height or the space to include subs in Helsinki, so this is a welcome addition in Tampere which gives us some extra headroom in the system and helps add body and fullness to the sound,” continues Sipilä.

When you come here to listen to live music, it will most likely sound even better than it did on the record.

Renowned Finnish singer/songwriter, Markus Nordenstreng of Tuomo & Markus and the Latebirds considers G Livelab as his favourite venue for intimate performances. “Some of the best music I have ever heard has been live, but sound quality is often let down by the venue, either through bad acoustic treatment or a sub-par sound system – or both. What you have here at G Livelab is just the opposite end of the scale – for me it’s the ultimate live sound experience. When you come here to listen to live music, it will most likely sound even better than it did on the record – you can hear things you never heard before. It would be a great service to mankind if there was a G Livelab in every city around the world!”

The final word goes to Annamaija Saarela, CEO of G Livelab Tampere: “G Livelab isn’t just about the technology or the programming – it’s about the whole experience of enjoying live music, and I’m proud to say that in bringing together the best of everything and everyone involved, we have achieved a result that is even greater than the sum of the parts. We’ve had nothing but positive feedback since we opened, both from the public and musicians alike.”

Designed by multi-award-winning architects, Henning Larsen AS, Moesgaard Museum (MOMU) is one of Denmark’s leading attractions. Ingeniously designed as an integrated landscape feature, built into and rising up from the rolling hills overlooking Aarhus Bay, MOMU is a vibrant house of culture and knowledge that blends ancient artefacts with modern technology to bring the past alive.

The latest exhibition, “Bound for disaster – Pompeii and Herculaneum,” brings to life the events that unfolded around the devastating eruption of Mount Vesuvius in AD 79, killing an estimated 2,500 people. The sound design for this spectacular new audio-visual experience was created by exhibition soundscape specialist, Søren Bendixen of Audiotect, and is built entirely around Genelec’s new 4430 Smart IP loudspeakers. Combined with the scenography, video mapping and lighting, the soundscape immerses visitors in the predisaster atmosphere of the lively city of Pompeii, before leading them into the postapocalyptic scenes that followed.

"In terms of installation, the Smart IP concept opens up a world of possibilities."

“We are using a total of 51 Genelec 4430 loudspeakers, all fed by discrete channels over a Dante network with Ubiquiti Edge switches,” explains Johan Ahrenfeldt who is responsible for exhibition technology at MOMU. “We’re using QLab software for the playback and a Dante-compatible RME Digiface interface to run a total of 54 discrete channels flawlessly. Various audio formats are used in the sound design, including Ambisonics and Quadrophonic sound, to provide a fully immersive experience.”

Ahrenfeldt is no stranger to Genelec, having used many 4000 Series and 8330A loudspeakers on previous exhibitions, but he says that the new 4430s introduce a new paradigm to the world of installed sound solutions. “I’m not talking about sound quality – the 4430s meet the same exacting standards as the rest of the Genelec range – but in terms of installation, the Smart IP concept opens up a world of possibilities. The most significant benefit is the flexibility and the functionality added by the network-based infrastructure and the use of PoE+ for powering the speakers. This means lower installation costs, easier, tidier and more flexible cabling, the possibility to add or move speakers late in the exhibition building process, and the ability to monitor and control the speakers remotely. All of these factors made a big difference to us when installing our newest exhibition.”

“Many of the loudspeakers are concealed by the scenography,” he continues, “but in other places they are mounted directly on the walls. However, they blend in very well thanks to the harmonious design of the Genelec enclosures and a new feature implemented in the Smart IP Manager software which allows us to dim the brightness of the on/off LED indicator in the front.

"Despite the openness of the space, the transitions between the different areas work very well."

Ahrenfeldt recalls that “Bound for disaster” was not without its challenges in terms of audio, in particular due to the very open exhibition areas which were delineated by virtue of their sound designs. “One of the main obstacles was to minimise the sonic overlap between the different areas. We achieved this by using many sound sources (loudspeakers) so we could benefit from their sound directivity and cover the required areas with a low SPL per speaker. Genelec’s superior sound quality with crystal clear definition and intelligibility even at very low levels makes this possible. Despite the openness of the space, the transitions between the different areas work very well.”

“Our approach is to consider the sound design as a holistic entity where the different sound designs relating to specific areas of the exhibition are edited, mixed and synchronised on site into the main sound design covering the whole exhibition,” he continues. “The danger, of course, is ending up with ‘audio soup’ but careful design and Genelec’s superior clarity and definition have helped to create a truly memorable visitor experience.”

“The new 4430 fits perfectly into the market of exhibition technology due to the use of flexible infrastructure, on-board amplification, and the minimal need for cabling – but still delivering class leading sound reproduction,” notes Ahrenfeldt in conclusion. “The reduced cable requirement is often of greatest value in relation to implementing exhibition technology, particularly in old buildings which often are classified as protected cultural heritage. This isn’t the case at Moesgaard which is a new building, but it still makes life a whole lot easier! I’m delighted with this new solution from Genelec and look forward to them expanding the range in the near future.”

The Finnish Music Hall of Fame is Helsinki’s most recent and innovative cultural landmark. Located in the newly redeveloped Pasila district of the Finnish capital, already noted for its vibrant street art, the museum is attracting visitors in droves thanks to the unique concepts that have been deployed to depict the history of Finnish music.

Genelec was approached from the outset to be a part of this exciting project, the design and installation of which was awarded to renowned Nordic AV integration specialists, Bright.

“Genelec is the world leading company in professional audio monitoring,” says Music Hall of Fame board member, Olli Ilmolahti. “We knew that Genelec has been researching and developing products over many decades and already has much experience in this field.

"We wanted to have the best of the best, so Genelec was the perfect choice."

As the Finnish Music Hall of Fame, we were not ready to make any compromises concerning the listening environment and sound quality. We wanted to have the best of the best, so Genelec was the perfect choice to be a part of the story of Finnish music throughout history.”

The new music museum offers a multisensory experience for all music lovers covering genres from three centuries - from symphonies to Finnish rap music to folk and heavy rock plus everything in between - made possible by utilising the newest technologies available. The aim was to provide an interactive museum experience at a whole new level, offering visitors the chance to experience full musical immersion and a dive into the textures of music. Virtual technology enables visitors to embark on spectacular musical journeys whilst modern sound technology permits them to explore the roles that various instruments and voices play in a symphony orchestra, a mixed choir and a military band. Visitors can make their voice heard by performing on Finland’s finest stages, from the Helsinki Music Centre to Olavinlinna Castle on a virtual karaoke tour, and much more besides.

Genelec’s new Smart IP platform was an absolutely key element in making all of this a reality. Genelec worked with Bright and various content creators to establish the optimum audio design for each space and each exhibit. Bright deployed 124 of Genelec’s new 4430A two-way, active installation loudspeakers throughout the museum - the first model to incorporate Genelec’s ground-breaking Smart IP technology. The Smart IP platform enables IP networking via both Dante and AES67, and derives power via both PoE and PoE+ Power-over-Ethernet formats. As well as receiving both power and audio-over-IP, the 4430’s rear panel CAT connector also allows access to Genelec’s Smart IP Manager – a sophisticated downloadable software tool running on Windows 10 that allows installers to configure an almost unlimited number of rooms, zones, speakers and audio channels, and includes device discovery, versatile room equalisation, system organisation and status monitoring. External control via third-party hardware, software or house automation is also possible.

“We were responsible for designing a digital experience system with the possibility to change exhibitions efficiently when required,” says Bright’s Head of Installation, Santtu Sipilä, who worked closely with Genelec throughout the design and installation process. “As this was the Finnish Music Hall of Fame, some extra attention was needed regarding the sound quality. We investigated several other music museums to ensure that our solution would deliver the best sound quality of them all.

The decision to use Genelec was clearly a determining factor in achieving that goal, and the possibility of using the new networked loudspeakers made it even easier. The Smart IP technology enables us to drive each loudspeaker independently, and that opens up a wealth of opportunities for immersive sound experiences.”

In order to ensure the best possible audio experience, particular attention was paid to the acoustics of the museum during the design stage: “Even the best loudspeakers are no good if the acoustics don’t work!” says Santtu with a smile. “We also had to pay careful attention to the network to be able to run perfectly synchronised sound and video at the same time. Again, the Smart IP platform played an important part in making this work successfully.”

The Board members are thrilled with the results, and customer feedback confirms the success of the project. “The Finnish Music Hall of Fame is full of technology - virtual reality and digital technology are used to convey music, video, audio, sound effects and live music. I strongly believe that the sound world and acoustics form the most important and memorable experience at the Music Museum from the customer’s point of view,” says Olli Ilmolahti. “Genelec´s new Smart IP technology was a perfect choice for us, offering a complete solution with the highest quality and flexibility which means savings in working time, maintenance and investment costs. We achieved everything we wanted and more, and the immersive sound world and listening environment in certain areas of the Fame Music Museum - as well as the neutral, transparent sound throughout - is something to be experienced. Customer feedback has been nothing but positive.”

Mikko Vanni, chairman of the board for the museum, agrees wholeheartedly. “We wanted to use the most advanced technology available, and all the technological solutions devised by Genelec and Bright have been successful. We have been able to leverage this by informing the media and our main target groups that we have a very advanced Genelec solution (including an immersive voice system) combined with other sophisticated technology, which has given added value to the content credibility of the museum. We think that the Genelec system is amazing - the vocal reproduction throughout the venue is truly special. We set out to achieve a level above what is already out there, and we’ve done it. We’re delighted with the results.”

Naturkraft is a new experience centre in the Danish town of Ringkøbing, West Jutland, which aims to increase awareness of nature and the forces that shape our world as a way of encouraging more sustainable behaviour. Visitors are treated to a rich array of exhibitions and learning experiences – outside there are eight different types of natural environment whilst indoors, an iconic 5500 sq metre building designed to integrate into the flat coastal landscape offers a range of fascinating exhibitions. Digital experience creators, No Parking, were responsible for the design and development of the main installations inside the experience centre including IT and AV equipment. No Parking selected a Smart IP sound system from Genelec as the ideal audio partner for their designs.

“Our background is AV production and integration with a focus on experience design,” explains No Parking director, Morten Ranmar. “We were chosen for this particular task because of the complexity and scale of the project which required a lot of careful planning to ensure the best visitor experience. From an audio perspective we decided to use Genelec’s Smart IP solution for two of the installations for the simple reason that it was absolutely perfect for our needs and we know we can count on great support if it’s required.”

The exhibitions in the main building are dedicated to the forces of nature as they exist in the local environment of West Jutland. Naturally, the sea plays a huge part in the lives of West Jutlanders, so one of the main installations is the majestic recreation of a North Sea wave. Visitors can walk up to the first floor through the wave accompanied by powerful audio effects triggered by motion sensors and delivered by eight RAW finish Genelec 4430 Smart IP loudspeakers.

The beautiful RAW finish perfectly complemented the architecture, and scores highly on sustainability.

“The aim was to create the sensation of what it would be like to be in the midst of the rushing wave, through sound, lighting, video projection and architecture,” describes Ranmar. “Genelec Smart IP was an ideal choice for us for the audio element thanks to the proven quality of the loudspeakers – you can really hear every detail, even at low levels – the pleasing form factor, and of course the Smart IP technology that delivers audio, power and control over a single network cable. There are no external amplifiers to worry about, and the installation is incredibly neat and tidy. We can take audio from several sources if required – in this instance we have a basic ambience mix in eight channels plus sound effects – and the Dante network means we can re-route the signal as required or change the source when the installation changes, so it’s an extremely flexible solution that can adapt as exhibits change and evolve.

“The cherry on the cake was the beautiful RAW finish which perfectly complemented the architecture for the Wave installation, and of course scores very highly on the sustainability scale. This is an extremely important factor for Naturkraft for whom sustainability – along with climate and nature – is one of the key drivers that prompted its creation. Even Genelec’s non-RAW finished products are made from recycled aluminium according to sustainable processes, so they would have been a perfect choice regardless.”

Indeed, No Parking deployed eight 4420 Smart IP loudspeakers in white for Naturkraft’s West Jutland and Nature of Humans exhibits which describe the different landscapes that can be seen across West Jutland. Visitors will learn how the different forces of biology, geology and cultural history have interacted together over time to create the environment we see today.

“Museum and visitor attractions have evolved enormously over the last twenty years to become rich, interactive experiences that involve all of the senses,” says Ranmar. “Sound is of course an integral part of the mix, and as integrators, the onus is on us to select the equipment we need to deliver the best possible experience. Genelec ranks very high on the list thanks to the extremely high quality and reliability of their products, and their Smart IP technology makes them even easier to integrate. I’m looking forward to seeing even more models in the Smart IP range in the future.”

The Finnish Sports Museum housed at the Olympic Stadium in Helsinki has recently reopened to the public with a completely revitalised permanent exhibition after extensive renovations closed the venue for five years. The new exhibitions celebrate Finnish sport using the best of what modern technology has to offer, including a state-of-the-art Genelec Smart IP audio solution. All audio, video and control technology was supplied by AV integration specialists Studiotec Oy, with AV and sound design by building services engineering experts, Granlund Oy.

Granlund’s Aki Päivärinne and Timo Muurinen were responsible for the AV design. “Our aim was to put the visitor in the middle of the action, to make them feel as if they are really there,” says Päivärinne. “It’s hard to think of any sport where sound is not a crucial part of the experience. Sounds from various sports are accompanied with occasional musical layers specially composed for the exhibition, and UX (User Experience) sounds. The sound design was realised using object-based sound design tools – immersive audio is the key to making the experience as complete as possible.”

The Smart IP speakers are definitely the most important element of
the audio solution.

Päivärinne specified Genelec’s Smart IP range of loudspeakers for most of the sound design, as they met all of his criteria for quality and particularly for ease of deployment. “The ability to use the museum’s existing CAT cabling infrastructure for both power and audio signal transport simplified the system design and installation enormously, as we didn’t have to worry about any analogue cables – everything just sits on the existing network.”

Project manager Pauli Lamsijärvi from Studiotec agrees. “The Smart IP speakers are definitely the most important element of the audio solution and certainly made life easier for us in terms of installation,” he notes. “They operate on the Dante network which carries both audio and control signals. It even delivers power to the speakers via PoE, which is something of a revolution in the audio world. The audio quality is what we’re used to hearing from Genelec – in other words, world class – so we’re very pleased with the results.”

The result is a fully immersive experience that truly brings the action to life for the visitor.

One of the largest exhibitions is Finnish sporting heroes across the ages. Visitors are treated to a massive video projection by Finnish visual artist, Janne Ahola, combined with a 10-channel immersive sound design using Genelec 4430s that places sound objects in space relative to what is happening on the screen. The result is a fully immersive experience that truly brings the action to life for the visitor.

Another exhibition is dedicated to winter sports. “Winter sports are important for us Finns, so this was another area where we wanted to make the experience as real as possible,” says Päivärinne. “Once again, we have a multichannel sound system using eight 4430 Smart IP loudspeakers in a stretched diamond layout that works with a short movie projected onto a 98” LED screen. Visitors will find themselves amongst children playing in the snow, skating on a frozen lake or even swimming in the lake – since Finns are a bit mad like that! Another part of the winter sports section takes us up onto the slopes with skiers and snowboarders. There is even an authentic double chair lift from 1965 with a huge screen behind it to reinforce the impression of being out on the slopes. Here I used four 4430s.”

The final area to use a Smart IP solution is the water sports exhibition which is brought to life using a 4-channel immersive sound system with four 4430s. Visitors experience the thrills of scuba diving below the waves to sailing above them, before being hurled into a canoe to negotiate the rapids.

Where the requirement was for stereo rather than immersive sound, Päivärinne opted for Genelec 8010 and 8030 loudspeakers, as the media players are located close to the loudspeakers. The larger installations with immersive multichannel sound designs all use Genelec Smart IP loudspeakers run from dedicated media servers capable of outputting Dante signals.

All of the museum's AV equipment is controlled from a single touch screen linked to the control system. All the projectors and dozens of monitors can be turned on and off at the touch of a button. It also enables control of all the loudspeakers and the content fed to them, and the control system also manages signal delay to keep the pictures and sound in sync.

The museum’s development director Kaisa Laitinen is delighted with the results. “Through spectacular visuals and a strong world of sound, the museum visitor's experience is better than ever,” she declares. “Studiotec and Granlund have done a great job in bringing our vision to life. The use of the latest technology enables visitors to share in the adrenalin, the triumphs and the disappointments along with all the emotions and feelings that sport brings. I’m very proud of what we have achieved and I’m excited to share it with the public.”

Vasakronan is Sweden’s largest commercial property company with a portfolio comprising 170 properties with a total area of 2.3M sq. metres. Arena Sergel in the heart of Stockholm is the company’s most recent project and combines the Vasakronan HQ with one of Sweden’s most modern and innovative co-working locations. To ensure wellbeing at every level, Efterklang – experts in sound design, acoustics and vibration control – were called in to design an efficient and attractive sound environment, which was implemented thanks to a comprehensive Genelec Smart IP solution supported by 4000 Series installation loudspeakers.

Sustainability was one of the leading design thrusts at Arena Sergel; great care has been taken to highlight the building’s history in the interior design concept, where the focus has been on recycling existing interiors as well as upcycling through climate-smart purchases from sustainable production sources. Offering no less than 150 flex workplaces and over thirty conference and meeting rooms plus numerous lounge areas, the impressive four-storey building is also home to Vasakronan’s brand new HQ. Vasakronan’s aim was to streamline their own operation by eliminating their satellite offices and relocating to Arena Sergel which offered more space for the main HQ in a sustainable environment, plus a range of flexible expansion possibilities when required in the adjoining co-working spaces.

This type of flexibility is not possible with standard 100/70v speaker systems.

Wellbeing is another key design element, which is why Vasakronan called on Efterklang to design a sound environment that would support the different needs, functions and flows in Arena Sergel. Efterklang’s Margareta Andersson explains: “The key is a well-balanced interplay between acoustic measures and psychoacoustically anchored sound design. Psychoacoustics is the study of the relationship between sounds and how sound affects us. For example, in the entrance lobby, all visitors are greeted by soothing lounge music combined with elegant scent design. The aim is to create an inviting environment where visitors and co-workers can relax and feel safe.

“Visual themes have also been enhanced with sound design – the sound design in the internal stairwell, which is festooned with greenery, evokes a forest environment with birdsong. Also, the open fireplace effects have been elevated with the sound of fires crackling and the scent of woodsmoke,” she continues. “In fact, there is sound almost everywhere you go, from background music in the social areas to a gradient soundscape in the working areas – which goes from completely silent focus spaces to nature-inspired sound masking in the open flex areas. We have even designed soundscapes for the restrooms for extra wellbeing and privacy.”

Enabling Efterklang’s beautiful sound design is a comprehensive network of Genelec Smart IP loudspeakers supported by 4000 Series installation loudspeakers. Efterklang worked with AV integration specialists JML-System AB to define the best components to achieve the right results. Anthony Berry, VC and Collaboration specialist at JML, explained that it was a joint decision to specify Smart IP loudspeakers.

“The system covers four levels with over 20 individual zones,” notes Berry. “We used the compact Genelec 4420s in all the main zones – 114 in total – except for two event zones in which we used the larger 4430s, since those areas required more power and the extended frequency range provided by 4430s. We opted for Smart IP loudspeakers for a number of reasons; firstly, they are active speakers which means that there is no need for amplifiers – this is a huge advantage when you’re dealing with high numbers of loudspeakers, as we were for this installation. Secondly, they are powered over Ethernet meaning there were no long speaker cable runs required and there was also no need to have separate power outlets to each speaker. This simplifies installation enormously. Furthermore, as the Smart IP loudspeakers use the Dante protocol and benefit from control via Genelec’s Smart IP Manager software (delivered over the same cable incidentally), we were able to adjust and tune each individual speaker to create uniform coverage throughout the office. We were also able to configure which speakers were located in each zone, or create new zones as needed. This type of flexibility is not possible with standard 100/70v speaker systems but it’s enormously helpful when configuring large systems.”

Genelec’s Smart IP technology proved to be the ideal solution for all sorts of reasons, both aesthetic and technical.

Berry also commented on the challenges and the benefits of a networked audio system such as this: “As with any network-based system it is of course critical that both JML and Vasakronan’s IT provider were on the same page,” he remarked. “There was a significant amount of coordination required to ensure that we had the requisite network ports in the right locations, that the network supported the PoE requirements of the Smart IP loudspeakers, and that all required network configuration was carried out and tested prior to commissioning. In this particular network there is a separate VLAN for all Dante devices and the IT team used dynamic port allocation based on the MAC address profiles of the Genelec loudspeakers. This meant that we could connect any speaker to any network switch port in the building and it would land in the right VLAN, which saved a huge amount of time in the commissioning phase.”

All parties are delighted with the results. “This was a fascinating project, and many parties contributed to its success,” says Berry. “Efterklang provided a great sound design with amazing custom content that is both calming and energising; JML backed this design with efficient coordination and well-planned implementation which has brought Efterklang’s design to life – but perhaps most important was Vasakronan’s willingness and desire to implement such a sophisticated design throughout their office spaces. There’s no doubt that Arena Sergel is one of the most innovative and forward-thinking working environments in Sweden.”

Efterklang’s Margareta Andersson agrees. “We’re very proud of this project, and Genelec’s Smart IP technology proved to be the ideal solution for all sorts of reasons, both aesthetic and technical. As Genelec themselves say, ‘beauty and simplicity on both sides of the wall’ – and they’re absolutely right!”