Founded in 1953 by Prince Rainier III and chaired since 1984 by Prince Albert II, the Yacht Club de Monaco (YCM) combines a taste for sport and a love of the sea. With 2,500 members, the club attracts shipowners, sailors and yacht-lovers from all over the world to its luxurious setting. Resembling a high-tech yacht, this prestigious building it was built with an HEQ (high environmental quality) approach that reflects the spirit of the YCM: open to the world, innovative and concerned with both aesthetics and respect for the environment.
Against this backdrop, Yacht Club de Monaco required a complete audio system that would not only align with these values but also provide high-performing sound across various spaces at the club. Italian manufacturer of professional audio solutions, K-array, were chosen to solve this request, with system integration provided by BM Service.
“Everything had to be invisible, stylish, yet high-performing, the usual values of K-array,” explains Alberto Gaetti, Product Support Specialist at K-array. “Our loudspeakers were previously installed at the club’s rooftop terrace, so the client was already pleased with our solutions. The next step was to scale the audio system across other key spaces, including indoor and outdoor hospitality spaces, a meeting room and a swimming pool area.”
The club maintains a strong commitment to sustainability, using only the highest quality, sustainable materials to ensure the longevity of the building and its interiors. Crafted from stainless steel and aluminium, K-array loudspeakers embody the same principles, making the brand an appropriate choice for the Yacht Club de Monaco. The already existing Rooftop Bar system included six Python-KP102 I and four Python-KP52 I loudspeakers, providing clear and powerful sound. Additionally, four Thunder-KS2P subwoofers ensured a deep bass response, all powered by a Kommander-KA208 amplifier. This system had already proven its ability to maintain a high SPL in a confined area, whilst significantly reducing the sound level outside, therefore a club-wide rollout of K-array products was undertaken.
“Working on a prestige project, such as at the Yacht Club de Monaco, is a pleasure,” continues Gaetti. “Their requests for discreet yet powerful audio fit perfectly with the solutions we provide – indeed, our range of unique products excels in harmonising with various interior design and architectural considerations. Furthermore, the IP-rating and weather-resistant finishes of our products are ideal for the marine environment at the YCM.”
Offering uninterrupted views of the harbour and the Rock of Monaco, the Aquarama Riva Bar sits on deck 5 of the club. Here, the client required a system to be used largely for background music, with the ability to also provide audio for occasional parties or presentations. This area features two units of Kobra-KK52 I in white, renowned for their slim, half-metre-long form factor and powerful sound projection. Complementing these are two full-range Domino-KF26 loudspeakers, also in white. For the low frequencies, a Rumble-KU210 subwoofer is included. Using K-array’s own mounting hardware, the loudspeakers are fitted to ensure optional sound coverage throughout the space. A Kommander-KA24 amplifier completes the system at the Aquarama Riva Bar. For members searching for a cosy and intimate setting, The Cigar Lounge offers a private space with a relaxing ambience. Here, four compact Lyzard-KZ1s in white and a Rumble-KU44W-2 I subwoofer were installed. An ultra-mini point source loudspeaker, Lyzard blends seamlessly into the room’s aesthetics.
The selection of hospitality spaces at the Yacht Club de Monaco extends further to the prestigious 1909 Restaurant, strictly reserved for club members and their guests. Offering a refined dining experience accompanied by panoramic views of the YCM Marina, six Kobra-KK52W and eight Tornado-KT2 loudspeakers, plus a total of 10 Rumble-KU44 I subwoofers, provide high-quality background audio. White finishes to all the loudspeakers ensure that the technology remains discreet.
In the outside Sunrise Restaurant, background music and reinforcement for parties was required. “A combination of 11 Domino series loudspeakers with special marine finishes were chosen to provide a reliable sound system that would withstand the elements year-round,” recalls Gaetti. “Whilst they are powerful loudspeakers, suitable for parties as well as background music, the depth of the boxes is still small enough to be carefully integrated into a high-end space without disruption.” A similar system, comprised of Domino and Tornado weather-resistant loudspeakers, was also integrated into the Sportsbar. The focal point for the club’s A-list parties, the Ballroom at Yacht Club de Monaco was integrated with a performance system comprised of two Pinnacle-KR102, one Pinnacle-KR202, and two Pinnacle-KR402 systems. These lightweight, portable systems provide an all-in-one sound solution consisting of K-array’s Thunder subwoofers and Kobra or Python line array elements.
“The column array loudspeakers within the self-powered Pinnacle systems offer great performance and easy setup,” confirms Gaetti. “Their ultra-slimline form factor makes them unobtrusive, whilst the interconnecting units allow the team at Yacht Club de Monaco to change the angles of each element, giving them the option to adjust the system for different events in the Ballroom.”
Providing clarity of speech was of utmost importance for the club’s Meeting Room area. A place for conferences, presentations and events, a combination of eight Thunder subwoofers and four units of Python-KP102 pure line arrays reproduce the entire vocal frequency range with high intelligibility. Of course, the Yacht Club de Monaco would be incomplete without its spacious sundeck, which includes a swimming pool overlooking the marina. A further high-performance Pinnacle system was chosen for sound reinforcement, ideal for pool parties, whilst providing continued versatility.
“Given the combination of both indoor and outdoor spaces, we were conscious in our design to integrate marine-grade products where necessary to ensure that the systems would be resistant to weather and humidity,” says Gaetti. “Through the integration of a full K-array solution, the technical team at Yacht Club de Monaco can access the K-array software suite, such as K-CONTROL and K-CLOUD to have seamless control and management of the system.”
