HMV opened its first branch in mainland Europe at the Wijnegem Shop Eat Enjoy shopping centre in Antwerp, Belgium, marking the company’s entry into the European market. The store offers a diverse inventory of approximately 10,000 items, including vinyl records, CDs, music technology, and pop-culture merchandise, with a notable emphasis on K-Pop products, boasting the largest selection in Belgium.
For the installation of audio equipment, HMV consulted with Merelbeke-based installers Swing, who recommended a Pioneer PRO AUDIO solution. HMV’s Projects Manager, Dave Daglish, approved Swing’s proposal for the project.
“Obviously it’s very important that we have an excellent sound system in our shops, as the heritage of our brand is rooted in selling music on vinyl and compact disc to discerning music fans. Swing worked to a tight schedule and the installation proceeded very smoothly.”
Dany De Letter owner at Swing comments:
“The client wanted an even distribution of sound across every part of the trading area, although no loudspeakers could be placed on the floor. Careful design consideration of the number and positioning of the speakers enabled us to install a system which comfortably met the requirements of the brief and delivered the spot-on, warm sound we are so used to from Pioneer PRO AUDIO.”
The installation at HMV, Wijnegem comprises 12 x CM-S56T-K 6” surface mount loudspeakers complemented by 3 x CM-510ST-K 10” subwoofers (wall-mounted using the UB-510ST-K yoke mount kit). The system is driven by 3 x Powersoft Mezzo 604A 600W/4-channel amplifiers with DSP, and controlled using a wall-mounted Powersoft WM Touch PoE fed touch screen.
Dave Daglish is pleased with the system:
“I was blown away by the sound quality when I first heard it in store! Whether we’re playing loud or quiet music, it really is impressive. It was very easy to work with both Swing and Pioneer PRO AUDIO and I must thank both Danny DeLetter and Joeri Verhoeven (of Pioneer PRO AUDIO) for making the install process as smoothly as possible. I would absolutely love to with Pioneer PRO AUDIO on our future shop projects. ”
Following the success of the installation at Wijnegem, Pioneer PRO AUDIO was chosen for HMV’s second European store, this time in the Belgian capital Brussels. Located in the City2 Shopping Centre, this store is the largest entertainment retail space in Belgium by square footage and opened on April 12th to another hugely positive response. The Brussels store features HMV’s Live & Local programme which enables grassroots performers to enjoy an in-store gig experience, as well as a Pioneer PRO AUDIO commercial audio system for playback, a self-powered Pioneer PRO AUDIO XPRS2 system also features at the site to cater for live sets.
The system at HMV Brussels comprises 16 x CM-S56T-K and 4 x CM-510ST subs driven by 3 x Mezzo 604 A, controlled by a WM-Touch. For the in-store performances 2 x XPRS102 10” full-range active loudspeakers and 2 x XPRS1152S 15” reflex-loaded active subs deliver powerful, high-quality, plug-and-play sound
