NYC-based Kurt Schlossberg has been specifying exclusively Martin Audio sound systems for Time Out Markets around the world for many years through his company ear NETWORKS.
However, he recently completed his first project for Chilean restaurateur Juan Santa Cruz. Obvio joins Santa Cruz’s portfolio of high-end restaurants as a new addition—alongside venues in London’s popular Mayfair and Notting Hill districts.
Schlossberg’s latest project, the modern supper club and cocktail bar Obvio, is located in Manhattan—almost next door to his own home. And once again, the system is entirely Martin Audio, making particular use of the advantages of the CDD series’ coaxial differential dispersion technology.
Schlossberg explains:
“Juan only opens ultra-premium venues. On a Zoom call, he told me about this little gem he was creating in New York. He wanted a color-matched, extremely discreet yet high-performance system—something that could deliver AAA-level background music and AAA-level foreground music. I told him, ‘There’s only one product I’m putting in there!’”
The installation company once again recommended CDD, just as it has done for many venues since first discovering the series shortly after its launch at the ISE show in Amsterdam in 2015.
“I walked into the Martin Audio demo room,” he says, “and I was immediately impressed. I have many options in the commercial audio world, but Martin Audio is the only premium brand I use. It is literally the ‘best of the best’ in its category. Whenever critical foreground music is required, it’s always my first choice.”
He continues:
“When you combine CDD6 and CDD8 with properly matched, powerful subwoofers, the experience you get is something you can be more proud of than your own listening room—inside a commercial venue. I haven’t been able to replicate that with any other manufacturer.”
And Kurt Schlossberg is uniquely qualified to say so, bringing 40 years of experience in audio (from analog to digital), architecture, planning, and music curation to the Obvio project.
“Because most of the walls and panels were oval, the space had a very cocoon-like feel. That’s why I worked very closely with the architects… It felt good to be part of the architectural process again.”
The loudspeakers were selected to blend seamlessly with the venue’s light-toned wall panels. At the front of the space, four wall-mounted CDD6 loudspeakers were installed, while eight CDD8 units were deployed toward the rear to deliver higher energy to the dance area. During the day, soft background music is played; at night, SPL levels increase significantly as DJs take over using Pioneer CDJs. Supporting the system is a single SXC115 subwoofer, completely concealed within the amorphous structure above the bar.
Overall feedback on the sound system has been extremely positive. Schlossberg concludes:
“I think it’s been a huge hit!”
Photo credit: Jason Varney
