A fixture of London’s jazz music scene for more than four decades, PizzaExpress
Jazz Club recently replaced its aging audio system with a new, self-powered Meyer
Sound system featuring IntelligentDC™ technology. Long known for its intimate
atmosphere, friendly acoustics, and stellar musical lineup, the club was voted Live
Music Venue of the Year at the 2015 London Lifestyle Awards soon after the
upgrade.

“With the new Meyer Sound system we have excellent response, from the top to the
bottom of the frequency range, at every seat,’ reports Ross Dines, PizzaExpress
music manager. “It’s a completely different world—you can hear the difference on
every instrument and voice. It’s been a real game changer for me.’

For Luc Saint-Martin, the club’s FOH engineer for more than a decade, the
loudspeaker upgrade gives assurance that his mix will be heard uniformly
throughout the room. “The Meyer Sound system gives an excellent dynamic
presentation of the sound on the stage,’ he says. “What comes through the system
is a true linear representation of the input—it’s very predictable. The loudspeakers
are also small, discreet, and don’t obstruct sightlines.

“Guests have commented on how the sound is much clearer than before,’ continues
Saint-Martin. “And it can be louder if need be, as we have much more headroom.
But even when loud, it’s much cleaner and more pleasing to the ear so it doesn’t
cause fatigue.’

To address the venue’s acoustically challenging low ceiling and irregular shape,
Chris Austin of London’s Autograph Sales & Installations configured a main system
of three UPJunior-XP VariO™ loudspeakers and one-each MM-10XP and UMS-1XP
subwoofers. Three MM-4XPD self-powered loudspeakers provide front fill, and two
MM-4XP and UP-4XP loudspeakers each cover the bar and alcove areas.

All loudspeakers employ IntelligentDC technology, which combines the performance
advantages of self-powered loudspeakers with the installation efficiency of Class 2
wiring. A single, five-conductor cable carries remote DC power and balanced audio
signal to the loudspeakers from a rack-mount power supply and signal distribution
unit.

“I had originally specified Meyer Sound loudspeakers with direct AC powering,’ says
Austin. “But that would have required quite of bit of electrical conduit work to make
it all up to code. With IntelligentDC, I realized I could assure the same
performance levels while substantially reducing overall costs.’

Opened in 1969 on Dean Street in London’s trendy Soho district, PizzaExpress Jazz
Club has hosted such luminaries over the years as Mose Allison, Diana Krall, Amy
Winehouse, Brad Mehldau, and Norah Jones.