IOWA CITY, IA – The Union Bar, which has been called the "biggest bar in the Big Ten Conference," hosts parties featuring DJs who fly in Los Angeles, Las Vegas, and New York City. Owner/operator George Wittgraf credited the new Danley loudspeakers for improved fidelity and pattern control, which helps direct sound away from the bar itself, making it easy for bartenders to hear drink orders.
"The old system was loud in the worst way possible," Wittgraf said. "It was really harsh on the ears. That was a drain on me and my staff, who had to listen to it night after night, and it certainly wasn't a selling point for our customers. The bartenders were especially frustrated, because it was often impossible to hear drink orders and they went home with their ears ringing.
Wittgraf relied on message board recommendations and purchased the new system "sound unheard," based on what he had read.
The new sound system includes four Danley SH-50 and two Danley SH-96 full-range loudspeakers split equally on both sides of the stage for true stereo playback whenever the DJ's setup allows it. Four Danley TH-115 subwoofers reside with the full-range boxes on top of the stage. Below the stage, two Danley TH-221 "Cine-Monster" subwoofers deliver bass down to 22 Hz.
"It's true, we've had some issues with needles skipping because of the TH-221s, but that's the kind of problem I want to have!" laughed Wittgraf.
Powersoft and Crest amplifiers share duties providing power to the system, with a DBX DSP providing modest input and output conditioning. An existing 12-channel mixer forms a front-end to the system and gives Wittgraf the flexibility to accommodate DJ sets with live drums, live guitar, or even, on occasion, full bands.
One of the first things Wittgraf did upon delivery of the new system was to play some of his favorite electronic music.
"The staff and I noticed nuances in the music that we had never heard before, little background rhythms and sounds," he said. "It was very detailed, and it didn't matter if we were playing it quietly or going full-tilt. Critically, the sound remained smooth and not the least bit painful even when it was incredibly loud. I have a sound guy who has been working in this room for 20 years, and he laughed when he heard the subs fire up in this 116 year-old building: ‘The room's making noises it's never made before.' The TH-221s move a lot of air!"
After settling into The Union Bar's new sonic landscape, Wittgraf played with the pattern control of the SH-50s and SH-96s. "I was able to keep most of the energy on the dance floor and away from the bar," he said. "It is a dramatic difference from the old system, and it has made my bartenders much, much happier. Now, even when the party is raging, they can still easily hear drink orders and they don't go home with fatigued, ringing ears."
For more information, please visit www.danleysoundlabs.com.
