At Winnie’s, live jazz is at the heart of the experience. Hosting performances six nights a week, the New York jazz club and bar needed an audio system capable of delivering consistent, high-quality sound while preserving the intimate listening atmosphere that defines a neighborhood jazz venue.
Before the renovation, the venue relied on a pair of traditional two-way loudspeakers mounted on stands to reinforce the band. Coverage varied considerably throughout the room, with guests near the stage enjoying greater sound pressure and presence, while those seated toward the back of the bar experienced a different listening environment.
As part of the interior redesign carried out by IGC Hospitality in collaboration with Garrett Singer Architecture & Design, the team decided to implement a professional audio system capable of improving consistency, coverage and sound quality for both live performances and everyday music playback.
The installation was designed and integrated by ISW Design, led by Brett Polacek, using a fully distributed configuration based on 1 SOUND Cannon coaxial loudspeakers. Using Auralis for three-dimensional system modelling, ISW developed a stereo deployment centred around Cannon C8i loudspeakers as the primary left/right system, complemented by additional Cannon C6i pairs distributed throughout the venue as delay systems.
This distributed approach enabled uniform coverage and excellent musical clarity throughout the venue without relying solely on two loudspeaker positions located on either side of the stage. The project also highlights the output capability and full-range performance of the Cannon Series relative to its compact footprint.
Despite their compact dimensions, Cannon loudspeakers provide the sound pressure level (SPL) and sonic presence required for live music environments while remaining visually discreet within the venue’s interior design. This made it possible to achieve the sonic impact required for jazz performances without filling the room with large-format loudspeaker systems.
To maximise usable floor space, two SUB28 subwoofers were fully integrated into the venue’s newly built banquet seating, preserving valuable space while keeping the low-frequency system visually hidden from guests. An M35 monitor was also installed for the new performance stage.
System control and processing were handled through an Allen & Heath Matrix 16, while amplification was provided by Powersoft Quattrocanali, Duecanali and Mezzo amplifiers.
Having built a loyal and established audience, we felt it was essential to elevate Winnie’s audio capabilities and sound quality. 1 SOUND not only met our expectations, but the professionalism and level of service provided by their team and by ISW Design, led by Brett, were exceptional. We now enjoy pristine sound that is receiving outstanding feedback from our guests, explains Brendan Dahill, General Manager of Parker & Quinn/Winnie’s Jazz Club, part of IGC Hospitality.
The completed system delivers a more immersive and consistent listening experience throughout the venue, while preserving the intimate character that defines Winnie’s and ensuring that every seat is fully integrated into the jazz club experience.
