KM5

Set in a converted finca (traditional Spanish farmhouse) just outside Ibiza Town, KM5 is one of the island’s original hybrid restaurants. Guests can sip cocktails in one of its five elegant lounge bars, dine in style in the candlelit restaurant, and dance ‘til dawn to tunes spun by resident and international guest DJs in the nightclub. A boutique and art gallery complete the KM5 experience.

One of KM5’s bars, the stylish indoor lounge, comprises a main room and smaller alcove that provide the setting for nightly DJ performances, parties and themed nights. The first guests arrive from 8pm and up to 200 partygoers enjoy the music until dawn. This means the indoor lounge requires a sound system that can provide comfortable, ambient sound early in the evening, but a more powerful, club sound as the room becomes busier.

In addition, the architecture of the indoor lounge poses its own challenges; solid glass internal walls, traditional Spanish stone outer walls, and tiled floor mean there are countless surfaces for sound waves to bounce off. So EQ settings need not only to suit to the size of the crowd, but also account for the reflective nature of the room.

However, the previous indoor lounge sound system was not able to deliver the power, flexibility or sound quality needed. As KM5 resident DJ and sound engineer Sergi Ribas explains: “The previous Pioneer flat panel speakers were very nice but did not have the club sound we wanted. Plus the amps were clipping at full volume, and we could only change the EQ settings on a PC. So we decided to upgrade.”

Ribas and KM5 co-owner Josch Genske selected Pioneer Professional Audio to design and install a sound system for the indoor lounge: “We have worked with Pioneer for 10 years and have a very good relationship. Pioneer DJ equipment and speakers have always been successful here, so we naturally wanted to work with them on the upgrade,” says Genske.

As a result of the new sound system, KM5 has been able to overcome issues surrounding its numerous reflective surfaces to produce a strong, clear high frequency sound and deep bass – and the capacity to deliver a full range of power with equal sound quality.

“The new sound system is amazing,” says Genske. “The intensity of the music and the clearness of the bass is the best in the market in my opinion. The good thing is, whether you’re in the middle of the dancefloor or in a corner, you can always talk to and hear each other.”

Resident DJ and sound engineer Ribas agrees: “I like the clear, warm sound of the system, and the increased power range without having to push the amps. Now it is a club sound and, as a DJ, that makes me very happy.”

Ribas also enjoys the simplicity and flexibility afforded by the Powersoft K3 amplifiers’, which enables him to have EQ control directly from the amp – with no need to access a computer.

Reactions to the new sound system have been very positive, says Genske: “Especially from DJs. We have so many people coming in – including actors, footballers, producers – who all say what a fantastic sound system it is.”

In conclusion, Genske puts the success of the installation down to a combination of Pioneer’s experience and expertise: “We are very grateful to have Pioneer as a partner. They always deliver quality, and when they say they will do something they stick to it. Now other venue owners are a bit jealous of our system – thanks to Pioneer!”