Papaya Beach Club, Zrće Beach, Croatia

Context

The Team

Papaya Beach Club Chooses L-Acoustics A Series for Weather-Proof Sound

Since 2002, Papaya Beach Club has been a driving force on Croatia’s Zrće Beach, electrifying the European music scene and earning global fame, including a 10th-place ranking on DJ MAG’s World’s Best Clubs list in 2022. Known for hosting legendary festivals and A-list DJs, Papaya Beach Club sought to transcend the limitations of rental equipment and establish its own dedicated, future-proof audio system. This vision led to a partnership with L-Acoustics, renowned for transforming the listening experience, to install a state-of-the-art professional sound system designed to showcase Papaya’s creative potential for performance acoustics and solidify its premier status in the dance music world.

The Challenge

Papaya Beach Club presented many unique design and environmental challenges. Being an open-air club located close to the sea meant saltwater and strong winds had to be considered, all without compromising exceptionally precise sound. Papaya Beach Club Production Manager, Luka Udovičić, explains, “Our location is both our greatest asset and our greatest adversary; we required a system robust enough to withstand the ravages of the sea, and precise enough to deliver crystal-clear sound across our expansive space.”  In addition to the environmental issues, there were significant questions about speaker positioning and installation due to the venue’s distinctive shell-shaped stage, which has an exaggerated height and multi-level layout.

The Solution

Confronting the dual challenges of Papaya Beach Club’s open-air, seaside location, exposure to strong winds, and intricate multi-level design, L-Acoustics Certified Partner for Croatia, Dicroic, developed a bespoke audio solution. Utilizing L-Acoustics Soundvision software, Dicroic meticulously modeled the venue to optimize speaker placement and performance, a critical step given the distinctive white shell-shaped stage and its significant height. This allowed for the strategic positioning of every component, ensuring a harmonious sound field that successfully navigated the venue’s demanding environmental conditions and precise coverage requirements.

The main system features sixteen A15i Focus and two A15i Wide line array speakers for broad coverage. For robust low-end performance, four KS21 and eight KS28 subwoofers are integrated. To ensure uniform coverage throughout the venue, particularly in the elevated VIP areas, six X12 and two X8 speakers serve as fills. DJ monitoring is expertly handled by two A15i Focus and two KS21 subwoofers per side. The entire system is efficiently powered by four LA12X and eight LA4X amplified controllers. This carefully engineered system represents Papaya Beach Club’s commitment to moving beyond rental equipment and investing in a dedicated, state-of-the-art L-Acoustics installation.

The Result

The new L-Acoustics system at Papaya Beach Club has been met with resounding success, providing the “sonic clarity, power, and reliability required for world-class performances”. This critical upgrade ensures Papaya’s continued dominance in Croatia’s music scene, delivering an unparalleled audio experience that will draw top-tier talent and thrill its diverse clientele. Poised for an exciting new era, Papaya Beach Club, fortified by its state-of-the-art L-Acoustics sound system, is set to further solidify its status as a leading global entertainment destination for all types of events.

Project photos