Escobar One Central: A Tailored Professional Sound System for Urban Hospitality
Located near the Dubai World Trade Centre, Escobar One Central is the second outpost of the Latin-inspired lounge brand. Unlike the first location, Maktabi Tech was involved in this project from the “shell and core” stage. This early involvement allowed the integrator to have complete control over the AV infrastructure, ensuring the professional sound system was integrated into the architectural design of the space from day one.
The Challenge
The One Central venue presented unique architectural hurdles. The space is significantly narrower than the Palm Jumeirah location, featuring a bar that wraps around a corner and guest seating positioned along the external perimeter. There were significant concerns regarding audio leakage and uneven distribution. Furthermore, a difficult ceiling space and specific architectural constraints on the terrace required a highly tailored approach to speaker placement and model selection.
The Solution
To address the narrow layout and prevent sound leakage, Maktabi Tech selected the L-Acoustics X8i—the dedicated installation version of the X8—as the primary loudspeaker for the project. The team positioned these enclosures along the perimeter, aiming them inward to contain the sound within the guest areas and minimize spill into adjacent spaces.
Low-frequency reinforcement is handled by two SB15 subwoofers, while LA4X amplified controllers provide power and DSP. As with the Palm location, control is centralized via a Q-SYS Core 8 Flex. While architectural limits required alternative speakers for the outdoor terrace, the core indoor experience remains strictly L-Acoustics to maintain brand consistency.
The Result
By choosing the X8i, the venue achieved a clean and modern aesthetic that does not distract from the interior design. The inward-facing configuration successfully mitigated the risk of audio leakage while maintaining a high-fidelity experience for every seat in the house. The project demonstrates that a high-quality system often requires fewer enclosures to achieve superior results, balancing the overall investment while delivering a premium audio environment that supports the brand’s growth.
Project photos
L-Acoustics can carry a perception of being expensive, but when you compare like-for-like, especially with newer compact models, the gap isn’t as wide as people think. And the quality often means you need fewer speakers, which balances out the cost.
