TUX Bar & Lounge at Carlton Hotel Singapore recently unveiled a refreshed look following a comprehensive renovation completed in September last year. The revamp included the addition of a private room and an outdoor refreshment area, creating a multi-zoned venue designed for both comfort and style. Beyond visual upgrades, a key part of the transformation was an enhanced sound system to elevate the bar’s overall ambience.
Inside the cosy indoor area, six units of the Ecler IC6 two-way 70/100V ceiling loudspeakers have been discreetly installed. Each speaker features a 6.5” woofer and a 1” tweeter, offering clear and balanced audio while maintaining a sleek, low-profile aesthetic. A seventh unit serves the private room. Outdoors, six Ecler NIMBO 14 two-way passive surface-mount speakers with IP44 protection ensure consistent audio quality despite environmental factors.
Driving the system is an Ecler VID-24Q digital 4-channel DSP amplifier, integrated with an Ecler HUB1408 for zone-based audio control. The venue is essentially divided into three distinct zones—indoor, private room, and outdoor—allowing staff to adjust volume levels independently for each area, ensuring a tailored listening experience for guests.
The audio solution was designed and supplied by David Seow of Control Logic Systems (now part of Ideal Systems SEA). “We integrated the loudspeakers with an interface system that sat on top of the building’s Fire PA/EVC to allow emergency announcements to override the audio, without the need to re-cable the space. This approach met safety regulations while preserving the venue’s structure,” he explained.
David explained that the Ecler IC6 speakers were ideal for the indoor space, offering an unobtrusive presence while delivering the punch and clarity needed for background music. “The outdoor area presented a slightly different challenge due to traffic noise and the open environment. Nevertheless, the NIMBOs performed perfectly and met the bar’s objectives,” he said.
Agreeing with David, Joseph Tham, Director of Engineering at Carlton Hotel Singapore highlighted, “The indoor concept of the Tux Bar is centred around relaxed conversations in an intimate atmosphere. The Ecler speakers provide ambient background music that sets the tone without disrupting the flow of dialogue. Their subtle design fits perfectly with the bar’s aesthetic, while the sound quality has been well appreciated by our guests.”
Though compact, the private room setup — featuring just a single IC6 speaker — delivers just the right level of sound. “It’s an intimate space for small private gatherings, and the speaker complements it beautifully without overwhelming the environment,” Joseph added.
Outdoors, the eye-catching Ecler NIMBO speakers are both a design highlight and an acoustic asset. Their unique figure-eight shape adds a modern flair, while their sound output creates a harmonious balance, masking nearby traffic noise while extending the bar’s inviting vibe to the outside.
“The look of the NIMBOs definitely caught our eye, but more importantly, they perform remarkably well,” said Joseph. “They provide background music that is immersive without being intrusive, and they hold their own even against the buzz of the nearby road.”
David added, “The Nimbo 14 performs remarkably well with deep rich low frequencies without the need for subwoofers. It surprised everyone looking at the size of the speakers.” The Nimbos, even without a subwoofer, did not compromise on the sound.
Due to structural limitations, the outdoor speakers couldn’t be permanently mounted with screws. Instead, installers used special ties to securely fasten them in place. “We had to ensure stability, especially considering vibration from playback. Safety was paramount, and we didn’t want any risk to our guests,” Joseph noted.
Since opening, the TUX Bar & Lounge has received glowing feedback from guests, not just for its refreshed look and inviting atmosphere, but also for the balanced, high-quality sound that enhances the experience, whether indoors or out.
