Genelec loudspeakers have been installed at La Cosso cafe and restaurant, which is part of the Karahashi Deck multifunctional facility near Lake Biwa, the largest freshwater lake in Japan, in Otsu City. The new venue is operated by Biwako Rowing Club, an organisation that offers rowing classes to children with disabilities.
The six 4020 installation loudspeakers from Genelec are intended to provide a serene environment for the picturesque café and restaurant. They are responsible for music distribution and they’re simple enough to operate so that staff can manage the audio system easily. The music source is typically a smartphone or tablet, connected via Bluetooth to a PreSonus StudioLive AR8c mixer. However, if a customer decides to bring in a Mac or PC for special events, a PreSonus AudioBox GO USB interface is then inserted between the computer and mixer.
Shuichi Sakata, manager of Biwako Rowing Club, said: “When I arrive in the morning, all I have to do is turn on the output device and start playing. Genelec’s loudspeakers have built-in amplifiers, as well as Intelligent Signal Sensing technology that automatically turns on the power when music is played, so the products are really convenient. Even when you go home after work for the day, the power will automatically turn off after a certain period.”
The interior design of La Cosso was just as important as the sound, he says. Located close to Lake Biwa, the design reflects its natural surroundings with a wood grain finish that harmonises with the nearby lake, highlighted by large windows looking out over the water.
Genelec loudspeakers in RAW aluminium finish were chosen to match the natural feel, as Sakata explains: “The texture of recycled aluminium enclosures with a RAW finish was the best choice. When we installed the loudspeakers, the staff were surprised at how well they matched the interiors. I heard that Genelec values the natural environment, which makes them highly compatible with venues like ours where we encounter nature every day.”
Alongside its water sports lessons and educational seminars, Karahashi Deck aims to provide employment support for people with disabilities, through work in the café, boat repairs and additional roles across the site. Sakata says the Genelec system has helped to provide a relaxing environment where people with and without disabilities can interact without boundaries.
Sakata concluded: “La Cosso was designed to offer a space with a natural atmosphere so that everyone who visits automatically feels at ease. Sound within the space was an important factor in helping customers relax. Cafés are – of course – about eating, but I also think there’s an element of enjoying the space and time you spend there. I think music plays a huge part in that. The music and the quality of the sound make a big difference to the atmosphere and the impression it leaves on our customers. We are very grateful that Genelec helped us to create a space like La Cosso.”
