Gyldene Freden

In Stockholm’s medieval old town, Gyldene Freden stands as one of the world’s oldest restaurants, serving traditional Swedish cuisine since 1722. With historic architecture and gourmet dining, guests are immersed in a unique cultural and culinary experience, but until recently, the restaurant lacked a sound system to complement the classic setting.

Previously, the owners relied on off-the-shelf Bluetooth loudspeakers, but these did not provide the consistent coverage and audio quality desired in such a prestigious restaurant. A soft, ambient atmosphere was required to mask the background noise of the building while preserving the venue’s historic character and intimate dining experience.

Integration and control specialists, We Make Noise, were tasked with installing Gyldene Freden’s first professionally integrated sound system. In a building such as this, where the architecture dates back to the 18th century, acoustic challenges were inevitable.

Much of the restaurant’s noise came from the kitchen at the centre of the restaurant. To compensate for this disruption, a sound system was needed to ensure customers could enjoy the ideal balance of culinary experience and carefully controlled ambience.

Fourteen 4420 Smart IP loudspeakers were mounted to ceiling corners throughout the restaurant’s various dining rooms, finished in a selection of custom-painted colours to blend in with the interior decoration of each space.

Two larger 4430 Smart IP models and a 7050 active subwoofer were deployed in the area used as a dance floor, allowing the system to deliver greater output during events and celebrations. Power, audio, and control are all delivered by a single CAT cable, providing a clean, minimally invasive and scalable installation.

An existing data network was already in place in the building, allowing a Dante-based solution to be implemented for flexible zone and source management. Swedish audio-visual providers, Meetech, were responsible for commissioning, programming and system management.

Built on a BSS platform, the sound system was able to be expanded with Dante and equipped with local volume and control panels in each zone. It was also prepped for active subwoofers using Dante AVIO adaptors, ensuring long-term flexibility and future expansion.

Music playback was handled by two Sonos Port units, offering simple and intuitive source control for staff. Genelec’s Smart IP Manager also proved invaluable due to its ability to identify and configure each loudspeaker, greatly simplifying installation and system optimisation.

Due to the historic nature of the building, there were limited opportunities to run cabling. Building into the walls was not an option, as it would have compromised both the structural and aesthetic integrity of the venue. The need to keep cabling to a minimum led to the selection of Genelec Smart IP loudspeakers, which deliver power, audio and control via a single CAT cable.

Blending seamlessly into the walls of Gyldene Freden, the brand-new sound system provides a serene atmosphere in keeping with the restaurant’s rich history. The Genelec loudspeakers deliver gentle yet highly detailed background music throughout the multi-storey venue, carefully balancing ambient music with the natural sounds of the restaurant, helping to soften the disruption of the kitchen while enhancing the overall dining experience of guests.

As a result of the expertise of We Make Noise and Meetech, restaurant staff can now easily control and manage audio across multiple zones – adjusting the atmosphere to suit different moments of the day – from quieter weekday dining to lively evening events and private celebrations.

The project demonstrates how modern AV technology can be thoughtfully integrated into historic buildings without compromising their architectural integrity. By utilising a network-based Smart IP solution with minimal cabling, the installation avoided invasive construction work while delivering professional-grade audio coverage throughout the venue.

Thanks to the single-cable installation of the Smart IP loudspeakers and expertise of both We Make Noise and Meetech, the sound system can be expanded or adapted in the future without disruption to the building. This ensures that Gyldene Freden now has a future-proof, scalable audio system that honours its rich legacy while elevating the dining experience with a soundscape that complements Sweden’s culinary heritage.