When the operators behind Meanwood Tavern and Whitelocks approached Audioserv to design a professional audio system for their newest venue, White Cloth Hall in Leeds, we knew it was going to be an interesting project.
Located on Crown Street, just behind Leeds Corn Exchange, White Cloth Hall is a beautiful Grade II-listed building dating back to 1775.
The building has undergone an extensive refurbishment, transforming it into a vibrant all-day food and drink hall while carefully preserving its historic character.
For our team, the challenge was to design a high-quality sound system that worked throughout the unusual building layout without compromising the appearance of the venue.
From the initial site visit, it was clear that this would require careful planning, a flexible approach to speaker positioning and some bespoke engineering.
Designing a Sound System for a Historic Leeds Building
One of the biggest challenges at White Cloth Hall was the building itself.
Unlike a conventional rectangular venue, White Cloth Hall has a triangular layout with several different open areas.
Designing a sound system for this type of space can be particularly difficult because sound travels between different sections of the building.
Simply installing loudspeakers throughout the venue would not necessarily provide a good listening experience.
We needed to ensure that the speakers worked together, delivering consistent audio coverage while keeping the different areas correctly time-aligned.
Time alignment is particularly important in larger venues where listeners may hear sound arriving from several different loudspeakers.
Without careful configuration, those differences in arrival time can affect clarity and make the audio sound less natural.
By planning the speaker positions and using professional digital audio processing, we could design a system that provided more consistent sound throughout the venue.
Professional AUDAC Speaker Installation
For White Cloth Hall, we selected a combination of AUDAC professional loudspeakers and subwoofers.
Rather than using the same speaker in every location, we chose different models to suit the individual areas and their requirements.
The installation included:
- AUDAC ATEO 4M loudspeakers
- AUDAC ATEO 6M loudspeakers
- AUDAC VEXO 108 loudspeakers
- AUDAC VEXO 10 loudspeakers
- AUDAC BASO 10 subwoofers
- AUDAC BASO 12 subwoofers
The combination gave us the flexibility to provide suitable sound coverage throughout the different spaces.
The smaller ATEO loudspeakers were particularly useful in areas where a discreet installation was important.
For areas requiring greater output, the VEXO loudspeakers provided additional performance.
The BASO subwoofers completed the system, providing the low-frequency reproduction needed for a full and balanced sound.
By selecting the appropriate equipment for each location, we could develop an installation that balanced sound quality, coverage and the appearance of the venue.
Bespoke Speaker Mounting and Custom Steel Fabrication
One of the more interesting aspects of the project involved finding suitable mounting positions for the subwoofers.
During the refurbishment, changes to the building layout meant that some of our original speaker locations were no longer available.
This is something we regularly encounter when working on construction and refurbishment projects.
As the building develops, the audio installation sometimes needs to adapt to accommodate changes made by other contractors.
At White Cloth Hall, one particular area required additional low-frequency coverage, but there was nowhere suitable to position a subwoofer on the floor.
There was also no ceiling structure available from which we could suspend it.
Fortunately, our background in manufacturing engineering and steel fabrication meant we could design a solution specifically for the building.
Our team fabricated bespoke speaker-flying hardware on site, allowing us to securely position the subwoofer where it was needed.
This allowed us to maintain the required low-frequency coverage without taking up valuable floor space or compromising the venue's layout.
Having the ability to design and manufacture custom mounting hardware is a considerable advantage on projects like this.
Rather than allowing the available mounting positions to dictate the sound system design, we can develop practical solutions that work with the building.
You can learn more about our professional audio installation services, including bespoke speaker mounting and system design.
Linea Research Amplification
To power the AUDAC loudspeaker system, we selected Linea Research professional amplifiers.
The installation uses a combination of Linea Research 44C and 48C amplifier platforms.
These amplifiers provide the power and digital processing capabilities required for a professional multi-speaker installation.
With loudspeakers distributed throughout several areas, having control over the individual speaker outputs was particularly important.
This allowed us to configure the system around the different listening areas and their acoustic requirements.
The combination of AUDAC loudspeakers and Linea Research amplification provided a flexible foundation for the installation.
Symetrix Audio Processing and Venue Control
Another important part of the project was making sure the finished system would be straightforward for the venue's staff to operate.
A professionally installed audio system should deliver excellent sound quality, but it also needs to be practical for everyday use.
For White Cloth Hall, we chose a Symetrix Prism audio processing and control system.
The Symetrix platform handles audio routing and provides the control functionality required for the venue.
We incorporated a combination of physical wall-mounted controllers and Symetrix's web-based control application.
This gives the venue a practical way to manage its audio system without needing specialist technical knowledge.
The system can be configured to provide different levels of control depending on the requirements of the individual areas.
For busy hospitality venues, this kind of flexibility is particularly valuable.
Staff need to be able to manage the audio quickly and easily without interfering with the more complex configuration behind the scenes.
A Sound System Designed Around the Venue
One of the most important things about a professional audio installation is ensuring the equipment works with the building rather than against it.
At White Cloth Hall, we needed to consider the unusual triangular layout, the different open areas, the building's historic features and the practical requirements of a busy food and drink venue.
The project also required us to adapt the original design as the refurbishment progressed.
By combining careful loudspeaker selection, time alignment, digital audio processing and bespoke mounting hardware, we were able to develop a system tailored specifically to the space.
It's always rewarding to work on projects where the building presents unusual technical challenges.
White Cloth Hall is a great example of how professional sound system design and practical engineering can work together to produce an installation that respects the character of a historic venue.
Professional Audio Installation in Leeds and Across the UK
At Audioserv, we've been designing and installing professional audio systems for more than 20 years.
Our experience covers a wide range of commercial environments, including pubs, bars, restaurants, nightclubs, live music venues and leisure facilities.
Every building is different, which is why we approach each installation individually.
From the initial site visit and system design through to equipment selection, bespoke fabrication, installation and commissioning, our team can manage the complete process.
We work with a wide range of professional audio manufacturers, allowing us to recommend equipment based on the specific requirements of each project rather than relying on a single brand.
We also provide ongoing audio system maintenance and support, helping venues keep their systems operating reliably.
If you're planning a new venue, refurbishing an existing building or upgrading an older sound system, we'd be happy to discuss your requirements.
Find out more about our commercial audio installation services or contact Audioserv to discuss your project.
