Credit: Virgin Hotels
As vinyl sales continue to rise, London’s audio scene recently had an upgrade.
In May, Sir Richard Branson opened a Japanese-inspired listening bar called “Hidden Grooves” in his new Virgin Hotel in Shoreditch to meet the growing demand for high-end sound.
Credit: Geoffrey Kelly
The bar features vintage furniture and music memorabilia with a studio-album-themed cocktail menu and a vinyl-focused music programme.
Guests can play their own records on the two Technics turntables and DJs play vinyl-only soundtracks in the evenings.
Credit: Virgin Hotels
Dedicated to celebrating the vinyl record, which is where it all began for the Virgin brand, “Hidden Grooves” is a cocktail bar and a warm welcoming place designed so everyone can enjoy the same hi-fi listening experience. No matter where you’re sitting, you remain in the middle of the sound.
Designed and installed by London-based audio specialist company Project Audio, “Hidden Grooves” has a natural cork floor offering superb acoustic properties in a classic checkerboard style made by Cork Pure from Amorim.
Credit: Virgin Hotels
The bar counter is a snazzy green terrazzo and the bar stools are red velvet while the heart of the audio system are two iconic Tannoy Westminster speakers.
For the technically minded: the two Tannoy Westminster towering speakers are powered by Luxman’s new M-10X power amplifier and the 509Z integrated amp also acting as the preamp to the system and amplifier to the Tannoy Autograph Mini’s.
Credit: Virgin Hotels
A separate FFA TPI amplifier handles the low end via an NST DSP for precision crossover and time alignment. To elevate the mids and highs, four TPI bass reflex UC15G units were added, two beneath each Westminster pushing the low end while bringing the midrange into focus from a height perspective.
Each Westminster also features a Tannoy Super Tweeter, extending high-frequency detail.
The system blends audiophile precision with club-ready energy. Tannoy Autograph Minis are throughout, ensuring coherent detail from every seat. Ready for jazz at low volume as it is for late-night disco sessions.
The DJ booth features Technics 1200G turntables and the Isonoe 420 mixer, audiophile-grade rotary mixer with exceptional analog sound, minimalist design and premium build-perfect for purists. DJs monitoring, Tannoy Autograph Minis.
The entire system rests on Townshend Seismic Isolators, reducing bass transfer and enhancing soundstage depth. Each stack is custom-supported for the 230kg speaker.
Credit: Virgin Hotels
With thanks to Claire Munnelly and Jason Bacon on the Project Audio team, and Neil Aline, Andrea Vizcaino and Indre Norkute at Virgin, and Ricardo Dias at Amorim Cork Flooring.
@tannoy1926 @tpisound @luxman.japan @technics_global @gradolabs @isonoe_london @leakaudio @townshendaudio @virginhotelsldnshoreditch
#CorkAcoustics #ListeningBarCulture #VinylRevival
