Ashly Processors and Amps Earn an Encore

Encore is a new, high-spirited nightclub located in the Crosswoods neighborhood of Columbus, Ohio. Its strategy for success is to show patrons such a fantastic time that they quickly return to enjoy an encore. Tasteful bar food, a wide range of drinks, and elegant décor and lighting provide the perfect frame for Encore's daily upscale party. But the heart of the party resides in an articulate, high-SPL, bass-rich sound system designed and installed by local A/V integrator Demmer Audio Video Solutions. Two Ashly Audio 3.6SP Protea digital speaker processors and six Ashly KLR Series amplifiers drive the sound system nightly.

The new club occupies approximately 2,500 sq. ft. on a single floor, with a large main room and dance floor complemented by a handful of smaller rooms that are available for private functions. "The owners were looking for a very reliable sound system with solid fidelity and bass," says Ken Demmer, owner of Demmer Audio Video Solutions. "Moreover, they wanted to be able to come in, turn it on, and know that it would work as expected. They didn't want to worry about adjusting this or that, and they wanted the minimal access necessary to simply plug in a DJ, select a source, and adjust the volume. That's it."

Inputs to the system include a DISH Satellite interface, a cable interface, an iPod dock, a computer media player, and, of course, a DJ input. Because the owners requested it based on their familiarity with systems at their other establishments, Demmer installed a DBX ZonePRO processor for input selection and volume control. However, the meat of the processing at Encore resides within two Ashly 3.6SP Protea digital speaker processors.

"The Ashly Protea processors have excellent sonic quality," Demmer said. "They're very clean, the equalization is smooth, and the conversion is nice. The programming software is easy to use, and I can save the configuration program on my laptop, load it via a straightforward USB connection, and lock out the front panel of the unit so that no one fiddles with the settings. That's a big selling point for my clients -- it protects their investment."

Six Ashly KLR-2000, two Ashly KLR-4000, and three Ashly KLR-5000 amplifiers power the system. Six Community S-3294 three-way 12" speakers, four Community VLF212 dual 12" subwoofers, and six Community VLF118 single 18" subwoofers comprise the new sound reinforcement system for the dance floor. Existing distributed ceiling-mounted loudspeakers contribute to even coverage throughout the establishment.

"When I first heard of the Ashly KLR Series, the price seemed too good to be true," Demmer says. "But I still see classic Ashly amps still running day-in and day-out in the field. They build things to last. So I bought a pair of KLR-5000s to power some subwoofers, and they were beat to death. But they held their own, and now I'm happy to install them to deliver high-performance systems on a budget. In addition, they are lightweight and energy-efficient, which are both great selling points."

Demmer once had a service issue with an Ashly amplifier. "I understand that even well-made things break every so often," he said. "What impressed me was how great and speedy Ashly's service was. They turned it around immediately and got it back to me in a matter of a few days."