END SkyLounge: Sound for an Open-Air Rooftop

Why DJ sound on a rooftop is harder than it looks

A rooftop bar has none of the surfaces that help an indoor venue sound full. With no ceiling and few walls, there are almost no reflections to reinforce the sound, and in open air the level drops by roughly 6 dB each time the distance from a loudspeaker doubles. Low frequencies, which DJ sets depend on, lose the boundary reinforcement they would get in a closed room.

The elevated position adds a second problem: sound that is not directed at the audience travels freely over the surrounding streets. A rooftop system for DJ sets has to deliver energy where guests are, stay under level control everywhere else, and withstand the weather.

For END SkyLounge, the brief added two conditions: the equipment had to match the interior design, and the installation had to be straightforward.

Loudspeakers chosen for the interior design

The main coverage is handled by six Ecler NIMBO-24 loudspeakers in titanium finish (RAL 9007 matt). The NIMBO-24 was developed with the collaboration of architects and interior designers, and its cloud-inspired shape is meant to be seen rather than hidden, which is why it fits a venue where design was one of the owner's three priorities.

Each unit is a 2-way passive loudspeaker with two 4" woofers and a 1" silk dome tweeter placed at the acoustic centre, so the drivers act as a single point source. It handles 80 W RMS (320 W peak), covers 62 Hz to 20 kHz (-10 dB) with a wide 165° x 150° dispersion, and is IP44 rated for outdoor use. Impedance can be switched between 4 Ω and 16 Ω from the front, without removing the aluminium grille, and the included VEASY bracket adjusts tilt and pan with a single screw.

In the covered areas of the venue, five Ecler IC6 ceiling loudspeakers complete the coverage. The IC6 combines a 6.5" woofer and a 1" tweeter, handles 40 W RMS, offers 145° coverage and has a rust-proof aluminium grille. It works on both low impedance and 70/100 V lines and mounts with three rotating tabs.

Low end for DJ sets

Compact design loudspeakers alone cannot deliver the bass a DJ set needs outdoors, and the NIMBO-24's response starts at 62 Hz. Two Ecler KICK-SB28 subwoofers cover the range below, down to 33 Hz.

The KICK-SB28 houses two 8" water-resistant woofers in an 18 mm birch plywood enclosure with Polyurea coating and an aluminium grille. It handles 700 W RMS at 4 Ω (2,800 W peak) and is IP46 rated, so it can remain permanently on the rooftop. It can be placed horizontally or vertically on its rubber feet, or wall-mounted with the included bracket, which gives the integrator placement options on a terrace where floor space is shared with guests.

Amplification, processing and network control

The system runs on three amplifiers from the Ecler HADA series: one HADA-4B750 (4 x 750 W) and two HADA-4B150 (4 x 150 W), for twelve amplified channels in total. All HADA models support low impedance and 70/100 V loads, selectable by software.

The built-in DSP is what makes the system suitable for a rooftop. Through HADA DSP Manager, each channel can be set with parametric EQ, multi-band compression, limiters and delays, and every configuration can be saved as a preset. Limiters set a defined maximum output, while delays allow subwoofers and full-range loudspeakers to be time-aligned. The amplifiers are configured over Ethernet and accept TCP/IP control from third-party systems, as well as front-panel level control and remote control through the rear GPI.

An Ecler eSAS-BT stereo player provides a local playback source independent of the DJ setup, with USB, SD, FM tuner and Bluetooth inputs and balanced XLR outputs.

A distributor-supported installation

The system was designed, installed and supported by END LLC, exclusive distributor of Ecler professional audio and video solutions in Armenia, which also provides ongoing technical support for the installation.

"We are pleased to have integrated Ecler products into our market. The system has delivered excellent audio performance while its modern design also enhances the visual appeal of the installation, creating a more attractive environment for customers."

Georgi Hakobyan, CEO & Founder, LSYSTEMSPRO LLC

FAQ

What makes sound for DJ sets on a rooftop different from an indoor bar?
Outdoors there are almost no reflective surfaces, so level drops faster with distance and low frequencies lose the reinforcement a room provides. Sound also carries beyond the venue, so the system has to be aimed at the audience and kept under level control.

Why add subwoofers to design loudspeakers like the NIMBO-24?
The NIMBO-24 reproduces from 62 Hz, which is enough for background music but not for the bass of a DJ set outdoors. The KICK-SB28 subwoofers extend the system down to 33 Hz.

Are the loudspeakers suitable for outdoor use?
The NIMBO-24 is IP44 rated and the KICK-SB28 is IP46 rated, so both can be installed permanently in the open. The IC6 ceiling loudspeakers have no IP rating and are installed in the covered areas.