Central Dumpling Bar, Brisbane
Void Acoustics takes Central from dumplings to disco
Central is a moody, low-lit, 80-seat venue beneath the Piccadilly Arcade building on Queen Street in Brisbane, Australia. Its Hong Kong-inspired menu features a range of dumplings and signature cocktails, while vintage interiors complement its atmosphere. A multipurpose space, the venue hosts its popular ‘disco sittings’ every Saturday, making room for a dancefloor alongside its bar and restaurant offering.
Central required a sound system that could provide clear, high-quality audio for ambient background music while also supporting late-night DJ sets and an inviting weekend dancefloor. For the owners, excellent sound quality was only part of the brief. The installation also needed to complement the venue’s award-winning interior design and become a talking point for guests.
Balancing coverage with character
The biggest challenge was achieving consistent coverage while adapting to the venue’s limited mounting positions and retaining the loudspeakers as one of the defining features of the space.
Central engaged AV integration specialist Ampd to develop an audio solution for the venue. Ampd recommended Void Acoustics because the system met the project’s requirements for both audio performance and visual impact.
From background music to centre stage
Following a demonstration of the Void Acoustics system, Ampd and Central selected four Airten V3 loudspeakers, two Venu 112 loudspeakers and one Bias Q2+ amplifier for the project. Specified in a custom gloss silver RAL finish, the Airten V3 loudspeakers complement the venue’s monochromatic interior while adding a striking visual presence of their own.
Clear audio coverage throughout the venue was essential. The new system has been exceptionally well received, with both the venue owners and guests regularly commenting on its sound quality and the balance between performance and visual appeal.
The installation moves seamlessly between providing ambient background music and taking centre stage during Saturday night disco sittings, creating an engaging experience for diners and dancers alike.
Matt Hayes, Integrator at Ampd“The Airtens were impressive from the minute we unboxed them. Even before hearing them, their visual impact made a statement on its own, but once we put them into action, the results only got better. They provide an amazing result in this space, with a level of audio quality that matches the high-quality finish of every aspect of Central Bar.”
