Fremantle Bar & Restaurant – Crowne Plaza

Transforming the Fremantle Bar & Restaurant at Crowne Plaza Docklands into a premium dining destination required a sophisticated, zoned audio system that could seamlessly enhance the guest experience while blending with the venue’s modern aesthetic. Middlesex Sound was entrusted with designing and installing a solution that met the hotel’s high standards.

The primary challenge was delivering consistent, high-fidelity sound across four distinct zones—the main bar, restaurant, private dining area, and terrace. Each area required precisely calibrated coverage, ensuring that background music remained present yet unobtrusive. Additionally, the system needed to integrate multiple audio sources, including music players and a BT Sports TV package, while remaining intuitive for venue staff to operate.

To achieve this, Middlesex Sound deployed a fully integrated Optimal Audio system. Sixteen Cuboid 6 loudspeakers were strategically placed to provide uniform coverage, with Cuboid 6TX and Cuboid 5 models supplementing audio distribution in more challenging areas. These compact, high-performance speakers ensured a rich, well-balanced sound signature while maintaining the sleek, minimalist aesthetic required by the venue.

A Zone 4 audio controller was implemented to manage all four zones, offering onboard DSP, flexible routing, and pre-configured speaker settings to simplify setup. The controller’s HDMI thru functionality made it easy to integrate the BT Sports package, allowing seamless audio pass-through from the TV system into the venue’s AV setup. This ensured that live sports broadcasts could be clearly heard across designated areas without manual intervention.

For day-to-day control, ZonePad 4 was installed in the bar, providing a simple, centralised interface for staff to adjust volume and switch between audio sources at the touch of a button. This meant they could effortlessly transition from background music to live sports commentary as required. The private dining area featured a ZonePad 1, offering guests a dedicated control point for adjusting volume within their space without affecting the rest of the venue.

By delivering an intelligent, adaptable, and high-quality audio solution, Middlesex Sound and Optimal Audio successfully transformed Fremantle Bar & Restaurant into a premium, multi-zone dining environment, where music enhances the atmosphere without disrupting conversation—an essential feature for modern hospitality venues.

A key factor in the project’s success is the consistent, high-quality audio coverage delivered across all four zones—bar, restaurant, private dining, and terrace. Middlesex Sound carefully designed the system to ensure seamless audio transitions between spaces, allowing patrons to enjoy clear, evenly distributed sound without fluctuations in volume or clarity. The result is an immersive and balanced audio environment, whether guests are enjoying a meal, socialising at the bar, or relaxing on the terrace.

A standout feature of this installation is the intuitive control system provided by Optimal Audio’s Zone 4 processor, ZonePad 4, and ZonePad 1 wall controllers. These allow staff to easily adjust volume levels and switch between audio sources at the touch of a button, ensuring the perfect sound profile for any occasion. The system’s HDMI thru functionality made integrating the BT Sports package effortless, allowing staff to route live sports audio to selected zones without additional complexity.

The commercial viability of this installation is further reinforced by the efficiency of the Optimal Audio ecosystem. The pre-configured DSP settings within the Zone 4 controller meant that setup was fast and straightforward, minimising installation time and disruption to the venue. Middlesex Sound was able to deliver a turnkey solution with optimal sound quality from day one, demonstrating how a commercial audio system can be deployed quickly and efficiently without compromising performance.

From an operational perspective, the simplicity of the ZonePad controllers ensures that venue staff can manage the system with ease, keeping them focused on customer service rather than complex audio controls. Whether adjusting background music, managing audio for private events, or switching to live sports, the system is designed to be as intuitive as possible.

With audio playing an increasingly vital role in brand identity, customer engagement, and overall guest experience, the Fremantle Bar & Restaurant installation showcases how a thoughtfully designed system can add tangible value to a hospitality venue. Its combination of detailed sound, seamless control, and effortless operation makes it a standout contender for the MONDO-DR Award in the Restaurant category.