PROJECT:
Iconic Home & Integrated Theatre
Rapallo were contacted by the client in late 2019 to build a small home theatre in a formal lounge space in a recently renovated room.
Initially it was spec’d to be a in-ceiling and in-celling projector lift, but once the roof spaces were removed and the area investigated the space wasn’t going to work. Working with the client we revised the spec and added a shelf mounted projector and a on-ceiling screen. The brief for the speakers where they have had to deliver great sound for movies and music, but they had to blend with the library style of the shelving / books.
As the room was already constructed, we ran chase’s thru the walls to get cabling for the speakers / HDMI and power to the right places. We then repainted the walls and ceilings back to the original spec.
For sound we used the ELAC range, with bookshelf speakers for the from L+R channels, and a matching centre that was mounted above the fireplace. SVS ran the subwoofer and the projector was a white Epson 8400 to blend it with the room on the custom shelf we built to mount it. Running the room was then a Yamaha AVR with the BluRay player and Google ChromeCast.
The project was a challenge as it was interrupted by COVID lockdown No.1. So as it wasn’t finished we quickly DIY’d a system for the client for the lockdown duration, and it was then completed once we were back at level 2.
The project consisted of the following Rapallo AV Design & Build services:
- Onsite AV Consultation – to ensure the setup matches the clients brief and the environment its being used
- Speaker Optimisation and Positioning
- System design and aesthetic matching
- Project Management
- Rapallo preferred suppliers
- Installation & setup – installation of the products / testing and training.
- Post installation Support
PROJECT:
The Discreet Home Cinema
The client spent some time with us in late 2020 and we assisted with the technical aspects of the project.
The brief was to provide an upgrade from a TV based system to a new platform that would give them a large viewing area, but when not used was not intrusive in the room. We spec’d an Indigo Motorized Screen, Denon 550BT, Cambridge Audio Minx Speakers and a Epson TW9400 to provide the imagery.
All this had to mounted somewhere, and somewhere that was partially hidden. So to provide a platform for the AV gear in the lounge, the client wanted a shelf to be built over an existing window space. The shelf needed to be strong to take 55kg of gear, and it needed to fit with the room. We designed and built the shelf and it was installed in March 2021.
It looks fantastic and goes with the room style.
The project consisted of the following Rapallo AV Design & Build services:
- Onsite AV Consultation – to ensure the setup matches the clients brief and the environment its being used
- Speaker Optimisation and Positioning
- Project Management
- Rapallo preferred supplier management
- Installation & setup – installation of the products / testing and training.
- Post installation Support
PROJECT:
Distributed Content @ Home
New Home Build / Multi Room Sound + Content Distribution
Rapallo were contacted by the owner as they were building a new home to assist with the AV spec and build.
The client wanted four aspects of their project managed by Rapallo:
- Multi-room sound through three zones.
- integration of sound bars onto living area TV’s (also used as sound zones).
- Setup and advice on a dedicated media room.
- Managed content distribution of Sky & Apple TV to 4 areas in the home with IR control.
Our team spec’d a Yamaha, Klipsch and Blustream product suite for the project. From the Yamaha Bar400 soundbars for three TV’s, to the Blustream HMXL44CS-KIT for content distribution. For sound in the three zones we used an existing Yamaha AVR to manage a range of Klipsch indoor & outdoor speakers to provide background or party sounds when the client required it.
The project consisted of the following Rapallo AV Design & Build services:
- Onsite AV Consultation – to ensure the setup matches the clients brief and the environment its being used
- Project Management
- Location Specific Custom Build & Installation
- Rapallo preferred suppliers
- Installation & setup – installation of the products / testing and training.
- Post installation Support
- The Ultimate Guide to Projection Screen Fabrics
- Record Cleaning Machines and How to Use Them.
- The Ultimate Guide to Integrated Amplifiers
- The Projection Showdown – Laser vs. Bulb.
- The Resurgence of Tube Amplifiers: Why They’re More Popular Than Ever
- The Great Debate: Open-Back vs. Closed-Back Headphones
PROJECT:
Karaoke & Movies @ The Wine Cave
Rapallo were contacted by The Wine Cave to add a screen and projector to enhance their function room.
Based on their budget we specified a Epson TW7100 mounted on a 3m long Vogels ceiling mount. For projection we used a fully motorised screen with a custom made (and installed) mounting bracket across the rear entry door. The system was then linked to their existing Karaoke system to allow for movies and songs, with a good front sound stage.
The final result is streamlined and minimal, and it has allowed The Wine Cave to expand their function room services and the options for use for clients for future bookings.
The project consisted of the following Rapallo AV Design & Build services:
- Onsite AV Consultation – to ensure the setup matches the clients brief and the environment its being used
- Project Management
- Location Specific Custom Build & Installation
- Rapallo preferred suppliers
- Installation & setup – installation of the products / testing and training.
- Post installation Support
PROJECT:
Acoustics In The Studio
Rapallo were contacted by the client as he had just built a new studio and the room acoustics needed work.
We dropped by the studio and ran a room acoustics test to ascertain the room requirements. From this we specified an acoustics package (Primacoustic London 12 Room Kit) and installed it for the client.
The project consisted of the following Rapallo AV Design & Build services:
- Onsite AV Consultation – to ensure the setup matches the clients brief and the environment its being used
- Rapallo preferred suppliers
- Installation & setup – installation of the products / testing and training.
- Post installation Support
PROJECT:
The Lounge With The Theatre
Rapallo were contacted by our client in Bayswater Auckland as they wanted to update their lounge to include a integrated 5.1 home theatre platform.
We engaged our builders / electrical partners to create a setup that provides minimal impact on the lines and the style of the lounge.
Starting from the front of the room we created a custom pelmet to hide the motorised screen. The screen is sized to fit over the size of the window and the drop finishes just below the lower edge of the window. To provide the front channel, we have two Klipsh DS-160W in-walls either side of the screen, and one Klipsch DS-250W integrated into the seating area. The seating area we custom built based on the clients brief, to provide some seated informal space.
At the rear of the room we built a cabinet space which hides the Yamaha AVR / SkyTV and Epson TW9400 projector. it was built to be part of the room decor and to hide all the gear when it isn’t being used.
The room is now multi-use and allows some amazing imagery for movies, sport and content.
The project consisted of the following Rapallo AV Design & Build services:
- Onsite AV Consultation – to ensure the setup matches the clients brief and the environment its being used
- Building / Electrical design and build
- Speaker Optimization and Positioning
- Project Management
- Rapallo preferred suppliers
- Installation & setup – installation of the products / testing and training.
- Post installation Support
PROJECT:
New Sound @ Rushworth Cafe
Rapallo were contacted to create New Sound @ Rushworth Cafe. Updating a system that had been put in 12 years ago and was starting to show its age.
We specified a system based on the Yamaha MusicCast platform linked to the fantastic Definitive Technology AW6500 speakers. There are 6 AW6500’s spread across the cafe. Two out front, two in the middle and two in the rear of the cafe plus a speaker in the toilet. This allows the music volumes to be controlled in each of the zones, based on the activity in that area or the content that us being played.
The team have also added a TV to face the outdoor area. This is connected to one of the 4 Yamaha WXA-50 MusicCast amplifiers. Now the TV sound to be played in one or all the zones when required, or a mix of music and TV.
The sound is now fantastic. They can use streaming services and it allows flexibility thru the café all managed via one locally setup tablet.
The Setup | New Sound @ Rushworth Cafe project
The New Sound @ Rushworth Cafe project consisted of the following Rapallo AV Design & Build services:
- Onsite AV Consultation – to ensure the setup matches the clients brief and the environment its being used
- Speaker Optimisation and Positioning
- Project Management
- Rapallo preferred suppliers
- Installation & setup – installation of the products / testing and training.
- Post installation Support
PROJECT:
A Fabulous Home Theatre Space
Rapallo were contacted by the client as they were building a specific space in their home for a home cinema space.
We were engaged to provide our expert support developing the product specifications for the room and pre-wiring. Using our extensive list of AV products, we managed the product supply and installation. Finally, once the project was completed and the room fully furnished, we used the ARCAM Direc Live to calibrate the room.
The end result was a fabulous room with a big sound and stunning imagery from the JVC projector.
The project consisted of the following Rapallo AV Design & Build services:
- Onsite Visit – we go onsite first to ensure we see and understand the brief
- AV Consultation – to ensure the setup matches the clients brief and the environment before anything is built or ordered.
- Product Sourcing – sourcing products that are specific to an installation.
- Installation & setup – installation of the products / testing.
- Support – post installation support.
PROJECT:
Multi-Use Bar & Conference Space
Rapallo were contacted by the venue as they had aging audio and visual technology and were wanting an upgrade to make the existing 5 zones to work together and use streaming services.
The venue consisted of 5 zones (bar x 2 / outdoor / movies / presentation room). It required a system that could pull all that together and offer multiple content types across multiple zones. The overriding request from the client was it had to be easy to use and provide better sound (esp in the bar and outdoor areas) using streaming services such as Spotify. Our team had to work with the existing infrastructure and cabling as access to the roof cavities wasn’t available to re-cable or change leads or location of cabling.
The team at Rapallo deployed a Yamaha based platform using four differing types of AVR’s that were linked to MusicCast controllers situated in 3 places in the venue. This allows 5 zones of sound (with over 22 speakers & two projectors), or a mixture of sound in some zones and visual presentation content in others, all controlled from the wall based tablets throughout the venue.
CONTENT ZONES:
- Back Bar – streaming sound + controller
- Main Bar – streaming sound + controller
- Outdoor – streaming sound
- Movies – streaming sound or content from Apple TV / ChromeCast
- Conference / Ceremony Room – streaming sound or content from Apple TV / Chromecast / Computer + controller
PRODUCTS USED ON SITE
- Yamaha AVR’s (R-N402 / RX-A780 / 2 x RX-A2080)
- Blustream HDMI / Cat6 Extenders
- Samsung Android Tablets + Bratek Security Mounts
- Direct Connect Open AV Rack
- Naked HDMI cables
- Google ChromeCast Ultra
The project consisted of the following Rapallo AV Design & Build services:
- Onsite Visit – we go onsite first to ensure we see and understand the brief
- AV Consultation – to ensure the setup matches the clients brief and the environment before anything is built or ordered.
- Product Sourcing – sourcing products that are specific to an installation.
- Installation & setup – installation of the products / testing.
- Support – post installation support.
PROJECT:
Background Sound at the Cazador
Rapallo were contacted by the owners as they wanted the ability to play music in their restaurant, but the system needed to be subtle and easy to use.
We supplied and installed two pairs of Polk Signature S15 speakers with wall mounts and a Yamaha R-N402 Network Receiver, and then did the installation of the system. The music / sound is controlled by the Yamaha MusicCast system on the clients smartphone, so they can create any soundscape they want with the range of streaming services available on the platform.
The project consisted of the following Rapallo AV Design & Build services:
- AV Consultation – to ensure the setup matches the clients brief and the environment before anything is built or ordered.
- Product Sourcing – sourcing products that are specific to an installation.
- Installation & setup – installation of the products / testing.
- Support – post installation support.
- The Ultimate Guide to Projection Screen Fabrics
- Record Cleaning Machines and How to Use Them.
- The Ultimate Guide to Integrated Amplifiers
- The Projection Showdown – Laser vs. Bulb.
- The Resurgence of Tube Amplifiers: Why They’re More Popular Than Ever
- The Great Debate: Open-Back vs. Closed-Back Headphones