d&b audiotechnik V-Series Elevates Monroe Nightclub to a State of "Collective Effervescence"

	Collective effervescence is "a feeling of shared energy and connection among patrons, which was our primary objective for our investment in our new d&b audiotechnik sound system," says Arvin.

Monroe, a celebrated Art Deco and Mod-inspired nightclub in San Francisco, has raised its guest experience to a state of "collective effervescence" with the recent installation of a d&b audiotechnik sound system featuring V-Series and xS-Series loudspeakers and XSLi-GSUB subwoofers.

Monroe's owner, Payam Arvin explains "collective effervescence," as "a feeling of shared energy and connection among patrons, which was our primary objective for our investment in our new d&b audiotechnik sound system."

Arvin continues, "We wanted to invest in the venue, but what we were really investing in was the customer experience...We wanted to give our guests the ultimate auditory experience." This ambition extended beyond mere sonic pleasure. Arvin also sought a "somatic, full-body experience" for their guests which translated into specific objectives for the new system, including significantly more speakers and subwoofers than their previous setup, with some subwoofers ingeniously integrated directly into the venue's custom furniture. Furthermore, the system needed to offer advanced zoning and volume control capabilities, allowing staff to fine-tune the audio in different areas of the venue to cater to varied needs during private events.

The seamless integration of this advanced audio technology, spearheaded through a collaborative effort between Michael Lacina of JK Sound and Don Lynch of Commercial Audio Video Solutions (CAVS), marks a new chapter for Monroe, building upon its long tradition of performance in a space that once housed the Jazz Workshop, known for legendary live recordings and performances by the likes of Thelonius Monk, Charles Mingus, Miles Davis and John Coltrane.

The story of the Monroe sound system design began prior to the pandemic, culminating in 2024 with the final installation. Michael Lacina of JK Sound recounted his initial proposal, which aimed to replace "big, ugly, aging speakers" with a "tidy d&b system" featuring petite xS-Series 5S and 8S point source loudspeakers. "At first, aesthetics was the driving factor in the design process, as Monroe boasts a beautiful and scrupulously maintained interior." Lacina elaborates, "From the beginning, it was imperative to make it fit within the existing décor. Thus, the initial 5S/8S speaker proposal. But as Payam's aspirations for the venue grew over time, so did his goals for the sound system. He finally said, 'I want to have the best sound system in San Franciso for a club of this size.' From then on, as I explained my reasoning for each component selection, if presented with two options, Payam would always pick the better choice."

Don Lynch of CAVS joined the project later, bringing his expertise and readily available d&b inventory to help expedite the installation process amidst pandemic-related lead time issues. This collaboration between typically competing firms underscored the commitment by both to deliver the best possible solutions for their customers.

The installed d&b audiotechnik system at Monroe features a thoughtful distribution of components designed to achieve even coverage and the desired "full-body" experience. Lynch shares, "The main dance floor is powered by V-Series V10P loudspeakers, providing the necessary coverage and headroom for the space. To cater to the raised bottle service tables and VIP platforms, the design incorporated xS-Series 10S, 10S-D and an 18S subwoofer dedicated to the VIP area, which was cleverly integrated into the existing seating. The bar areas on both the mezzanine and ground floor utilize 10S-D loudspeakers. The patio area also received dedicated coverage with two 10S loudspeakers."

One of the most elaborate aspects of the installation was the custom subwoofer tower situated in a 13-foot-wide passage between the front bar and the dance floor. Lacina detailed the rationale behind this unique design: "There was absolutely no good place to install an omni-sub on the main dance floor and so the passage became the only logical location. However, the low frequencies from a subwoofer in that location would be very present in both sides of the club, so cardioid bass performance was needed. To keep up with the two V10 main dance floor speakers, we needed two subs to get the output we wanted. They had to be stacked to provide the widest passage for crowd flow. To maximize cardioid efficiency, they would have to be spaced one above the other." This tower houses two XSLi-GSUB subwoofers with strategic air gaps to maximize their cardioid efficiency, effectively delivering powerful bass to both the dance floor and bar areas while minimizing spill.

Furthermore, several E-Series EX15-SUB subwoofers were cleverly disguised throughout the front bar area -- one as a vent, another under a drink rail, and a third flown in a dark corner -- further demonstrating the attention to both sonic performance and aesthetic integration. The system also boasts zoning control, allowing for independent adjustment of audio levels in different areas of the venue, enhancing its flexibility for various events.

The d&b audiotechnik sound system upgrade at Monroe has been met with resounding approval. Arvin enthusiastically declared, "We are blown away by the sound provided by d&b audiotechnik. I'm confident we have one of the top, if not best, installs in the Bay Area relative to our venue size. People have always come to Monroe to party, but since the d&b install the energy of our guests is different, it's been elevated to a higher level. You don't just listen to music with your ears, you also listen with your body, and with d&b audiotechnik, it's undeniable, you feel it too. It's incredible."

The d&b audiotechnik audio system installed at Monroe by JK Sound and Commercial Audio Video Solutions included: two V-Series V10P and two XSLi-SUBs for the main dance floor; three xS-Series 10S, three 10S-D and one 18S subwoofer for the bottle service and VIP platforms; six xS-Series 10S-D and three E-Series EX15-SUB subwoofers for the bar areas; and two xS-Series 10S loudspeakers for the patio. Monitoring is provided in the DJ booth by two xS-Series 8S and one 18S subwoofer. The system is efficiently powered by one 40D, two 10D, and three 5D amplifiers.