The d&b audiotechnik loudspeaker systems have been selected for the audio installation at Dublin’s Guinness Storehouse, one of the most visited locations in Ireland.
Three systems were meticulously planned, designed and installed by Acoustik, a d&b partner. They were conceived around a new live music concept developed by John Brady Events and also applied to two newly upgraded zones for visitors. All of it was predicted using d&b’s ArrayCalc software and features installation-specific loudspeakers from d&b’s xS Series.
d&b’s ArrayCalc software and xS Series loudspeakers enhance the visitor experience at Guinness Storehouse
The venue
Guinness Storehouse is one of Ireland’s most visited attractions and this year celebrates its 25th anniversary with an extraordinary total of over 25 million visitors to date.
In 2024, Guinness Storehouse was exploring innovative ways to further enhance the visitor experience. The goal was to introduce a new and dynamic element to its cultural offerings. The question was what could be added to what was already offered while maintaining the same high-quality experience and avoiding frustrating bottlenecks.
The answer, provided by entertainment consultancy Diageo to John Brady Events (JBE), was the idea of creating a new stop in the tour — a live performance hub delivering a vibrant mix of traditional Irish music and dance combined with emerging local and international talent.
The chosen space was the second floor of the Arrol Suite, previously reserved for private functions and events. With the planned reconfiguration, the room could host up to 400 visitors and entertain them for 15 minutes before moving on to the next highlight at Guinness Storehouse.
Diageo approved the plan and to realize the vision, JBE turned to Acoustik, a long-time collaborator and a leader in live sound innovation.
The challenges
Acoustik is also a partner of d&b audiotechnik and has worked with JBE on many projects, including a long-standing collaboration with Guinness Storehouse.
In our brief to Acoustik, we included the wish for visitors, no matter where they are in the room, to receive consistent sound quality that encourages more engagement in the performance zones, explains Brady.
This alone was already a challenge. The industrial past of the building created a tough acoustic environment, with wooden floors, tiled walls, extensive glass, steel and concrete. "It’s truly the most acoustically hostile space you can imagine", explains Brady.
There were also other requirements: JBE’s vision was to use smaller central platforms for performances rather than a traditional stage at one end or side, to generate more immersive audience engagement. Additionally, all fixtures had to be discreet while delivering the desired performance impact.
At the same time, Acoustik also provided new d&b sound systems for two additional areas on the fifth floor: Arthur’s Bar, the main bar space, and Market Street, a newly repurposed gastronomic area also used for private and corporate events. Containing the sound within each area was essential.
The solution
Will Fitzpatrick from Acoustik, who designed the system together with Adam Faulkner, explains:
The controlled directivity of d&b loudspeakers is the key. Thanks to the precise predictability of d&b’s ArrayCalc software, we were able to test various speaker models in different positions until we found the optimal solution. With multi-source loudspeaker systems, we’ve created areas where leisure activities can take place without affecting adjacent zones. ArrayCalc is fantastic. It accurately simulated what we effectively achieved in the installation.
For the largest space, Arrol Suite, Acoustik chose the d&b xS Series: 6 x 12S loudspeakers form the main PA system, with 4 x 10S used as delays. Bass is provided by 4 x 18S cabinets suspended from the ceiling in all three areas — “a real game changer”, notes Brady.
Fitzpatrick explains: “We always used to have SUB stacks next to the stage or in other parts of the room, but we were never satisfied because the sound wasn’t consistent. Now that we’re flying the SUBs, the coverage is good everywhere. The system has complete control over the room’s sound”.
The two other renovated spaces, Arthur’s Bar and Market Street, were equipped with 3 x 12S-D cabinets (the ‘D’ indicates the wider dispersion model) and 3 x 12S SUBs, and 2 x 10S-D cabinets with 2 x 12S SUBs, respectively. Amplification is entirely handled by d&b’s 4-channel 10D installation amplifiers. Day-to-day operation is accessible to non-technical staff using an iPad with d&b’s R1 software, offering user-friendly presets for the Arrol Suite, as well as a very welcome reduction in sound pressure levels in the bar zones — allowing staff to serve guests in a less noisy atmosphere.
Conclusion
For JBE and Acoustik, it’s another successfully overcome challenge.
We have immense trust in d&b and couldn’t imagine anyone else. When this project came up, there was only one brand we could rely on to take the design and specifications from concept to completion, recalls Fitzpatrick.
“It’s been a huge success”, says Brady. “There’s truly fantastic sound consistency here, and that’s something Guinness has also acknowledged”.
Photo credits: Hannah Rowe
