SPL - Sound Pressure Level

Magical from the outside window with the glimpse of the chandelier, and wall painting, till the inside complete combination and sound system.

If you’re Lebanese and wishing to fully appreciate the genuine hospitality and the true flavor of an authentic Cuban home, then an airline ticket to Havana is no longer required. El Paladar recently opened its Latino doors to the locals in Beirut inviting them to eat, drink and love under a single ceiling whilst savoring Cuba. Having built the premises from scratch in a little period under six months, the owner has been inspired by events that unfolded in the late 80’s, when Cubans were allowed to open restaurants inside their own homes, hence catering for a limited number of customers. Known as “Paladares”, the home restaurants are famed for their home cooked dishes, pina coladas, daiquiris and other famous Latin drinks in a live Cuban atmosphere where the air is thick with cigar smoke.

Having never set foot on Cuban soils didn’t deter him as he acquired countless pictures, artwork photographs and furnishings having spent many months researching the subject matter. Under the assistance of architect and interior designer Mr. Toni TABET, he has painstakingly created a small piece of Havana by paying attention to every single detail from the fantastically painted wall murals and artwork to the tiled floors to the accurate table layout beneath a spectacular ceiling chandelier. Reflecting with all its luxurious crystals all the positive energy and light effects.

Naturally, a Cuban BAR wouldn’t be complete without the sounds of Havana, and the existing great bartenders serving all their genuine cocktails. The service at El Paladar is so friendly and special, inviting you to always come back. Embracing its’ perfection and high demands, the local installer & sound distributor SPL- Sound Pressure Level were contracted to supply and install the sound system in El Paladar. Like most restaurants of today, Mr. Elie Louaizi knew that the combination of 6m wide glass mirrors, a high ceiling with a glass roof, ornate floor tiles and a general absence of any soft furnishings was more than capable of producing an acoustician’s nightmare.

The first task the SPL team took was to advise the installation of acoustical correction material, like the rockwool into the overhead beams criss-crossing wood, and below the glass canopy, which dampened the resonance by almost half. Added to the meticulous study and distribution of 12 wall mounted Apart MASK8 speakers mounted at a height of 2.15m, to which low frequencies have been extended with the addition of Four Apart SUB2400 subwoofers.

Elie Said: “In order to complete the atmosphere and to give the ambiance a push, and knowing that the house D.J. Fadi Afram, and D.J. Gaby are in the DJ “cockpit”. I decided to add a value to the setting by making sure the speakers are directed towards the diners sitting past the half way point and the opposite walls, and in doing so this has deterred the emergence of hot spots. The diners, are enjoying their chit chat due to the indulging quality of the Apart Speakers, at the same time of enjoying their stay and the night away.” “By a special request from the owners. GHIA HOLDING, and the Designer TONI TABET, The speaker cabinets were painted in metallic Beige, like the walls themselves, allowing them to blend perfectly in with the surroundings, so as not to distract the diner’s attention from the Huge Cuban paintings adorning the walls.”

“ The sound system is now, in my portfolio, as a reference for best restaurant installation method……. I have been rewarded, by the smile, and content of the owners, and by the output that MASK8 promised me, and it fulfilled the promise” … “ I am proud to deal with Apart products”.

Technical sheet : 3xAPART PUBDRIVE 2000 1x Mixer Pioneer DJM600, 2xCD Player Pioneer CDJ200S Speakers 12x APART MASK8BL Subwoofer 4 x APART SUB2400

« All the decorative problems were solved : In order not to defect or alter the beauty of the wall painting, I did not install any speaker on the wall where the painting is drawn, Giving me a twist in the display of the speakers, but still I could manage all the details.

The work was carried ou in December 2005 Reason to use Apart MASK8 speaker was that he numerous speakers to be used to cover the size of the premises, turned out always with a big sum when presented either Alcons or Outline. So the best solution was to directly present an Apart Offer, knowing the preset Budget of the Owners. So I t was the perfect solution, for the perfect situation.

Name of the owner (GHIA HOLDING) / builder (GHIA HOLDING)
b Address: Damascus St., Achrafieh - Beirut - Lebanon
Tel: 961 1 335444
Mobile: 961 3 192000