Located within the iconic art-deco setting of Waldorf Astoria Dubai International Financial Centre, Bull & Bear by Marc Hardiman is a distinguished restaurant aiming to bring a fresh perspective to the UAE’s culinary scene. Embracing a “storytelling cuisine” philosophy, the venue takes guests on a journey of discovery through dishes inspired by personal narratives.
To bring this distinctive gastronomic experience to life, the atmosphere within the venue plays a critical role. To elevate this ambiance to the highest level, Bull & Bear partnered with Em-Tec AV, a company with many years of experience delivering hospitality projects in Dubai and across the region.
A Quality-Driven Approach
From the outset, quality was central to Em-Tec’s approach. Em-Tec Managing Director Armand Bulder explains:
“Bull & Bear is an exceptionally elegant restaurant. In five-star venues like this, a high-quality signal chain is essential to deliver the level of performance the space deserves.”
With this in mind, Em-Tec designed a premium audio solution built around high-end components. The multi-zone sound system—covering both indoor and outdoor areas—features Funktion-One loudspeakers, Full Fat Audio amplifiers, and a Symetrix Prism 12×12 programmable IP-based digital signal processor (DSP) at its core. User control is provided via Symetrix ARC-3 wall-mounted controllers.
Multi-Zone Control and Flexibility
Bulder describes the venue’s requirements:
“The restaurant consists of four main areas: the entrance bar, two separate zones within the L-shaped dining area, and an outdoor space. There are live music performances, DJ sets, and roaming performers, so the client wanted full flexibility to control the entire venue.”
Strict noise regulations within the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) made precise audio control even more critical. The system needed to allow independent volume control for different zones depending on occupancy levels, while keeping the outdoor area fully under control.
This level of control is achieved by providing ARC-3 controllers for service staff, while management can access system control via an iPad. The ARC-3’s modern capacitive touch interface, clear OLED display, and precise fader design enable staff to make fast, intuitive adjustments.
“We have used Symetrix on many projects and it has never let us down,” says Bulder. “It’s simple to use, yet extremely powerful. It was exactly the right solution for Bull & Bear.”
The Heart of the System: Symetrix Prism DSP
Beyond user-facing control, the Prism DSP plays a vital role as the system’s brain. With its IP-based DSP engine, 12 mic/line inputs, and 12 line outputs, Prism provides an ideal platform for multi-zone hospitality projects. One of the key advantages in the Bull & Bear installation was its Dante network integration.
Henning Boshoff, Account Manager at Em-Tec AV, explains:
“The processing workflow was extremely clean and efficient; the system is essentially built on a distributed audio architecture. After opening, the client requested that the DJ booth be relocated. Thanks to Dante, we were able to make this change quickly and seamlessly using the network infrastructure, without running extensive new speaker cabling.”
According to Boshoff, combining networking and control in large-scale projects is essential for both flexibility and efficiency.
The Result: Seamless, Balanced, and Reliable Audio
The final outcome is a smooth, balanced, and consistent sound field flowing effortlessly from the venue’s entrance to its furthest corners.
“We paired the loudspeakers and zones in such a way that the sound naturally follows guests as they move through the space,” says Boshoff. “The combination of Funktion-One, Full Fat Audio, and Symetrix delivers excellent results at every stage of the signal chain.”
Beyond sound quality, system reliability proved to be a standout factor:
“The restaurant is extremely satisfied with both the installation and the sound. But the most critical factor is system stability. We haven’t experienced a single issue on the control side—Symetrix has been rock solid.”
This experience reinforces Em-Tec’s broader impressions of working with Symetrix across multiple projects:
“We find Symetrix equipment very easy to work with,” concludes Bulder. “It’s user-friendly, powerful, and delivers outstanding sound quality. In the end, that’s exactly what you need.”