Time Out Barcelona
The Time Out Barcelona AV system, designed and installed by Audiotek, was engineered to deliver balanced sound coverage across a vibrant multi-purpose hospitality environment where dining, live performances and digital media operate simultaneously within a large open market hall.
Located in the Maremagnum complex on Barcelona’s famous waterfront, Time Out Barcelona brings together some of the city’s most celebrated chefs, cultural experiences and live entertainment under one roof.
As part of the Time Out Group’s global expansion of curated food markets, the venue required a flexible and high-performance audio-visual solution capable of supporting live events while maintaining a comfortable dining environment for guests.
Time Out Barcelona AV System Project Scope
Audiotek delivered a complete audio-visual installation tailored to the architectural and acoustic characteristics of the market.
The Time Out Barcelona AV system supports two primary stage areas used for live music performances, cultural programming and cooking demonstrations, while also providing distributed sound coverage across the wider dining hall.
Key elements included:
- Design and installation of a distributed L-Acoustics PA system.
- Lighting systems for live performances and events.
- Integrated LED displays and digital signage.
- Rigging infrastructure to provide balanced sound coverage across the venue.
Time Out Barcelona AV System Design & Technical Specification
Rigging
The central audio-visual infrastructure is suspended from an 8-metre circular truss positioned above the main hall.
This rigging structure forms the core of the Time Out Barcelona AV system, enabling even sound distribution across the open dining environment.
Audio System
The PA system is built around L-Acoustics speaker technology configured in a four-array design.
Each array includes:
1 × L-Acoustics A15 Wide.
1 × L-Acoustics A15 Focus.
1 × L-Acoustics KS21 Subwoofer.
Four three-speaker arrays were installed at the four corners of the circular truss using L-Acoustics A15-BUMP rigging fixtures.
The arrays were angled according to acoustic modelling calculations to ensure the Time Out Barcelona AV system delivers consistent coverage across the large open hall.
The system supports both background music and live performances while maintaining speech intelligibility across the venue.
Video and Lighting Systems
Lighting
8 × Chauvet LED wash fixtures mounted to the main stage truss for performance lighting scenes.
Video Displays
2 × 15-metre banner-style Taylorleds AR2.5 LED screens installed around the perimeter of the hall using bespoke steel frameworks designed by Audiotek.
15 × 55-inch 4K digital signage displays positioned throughout the venue for advertising, information and event content.
These visual systems integrate with the wider Time Out Barcelona AV system to support live entertainment and digital content across the venue.
Time Out Barcelona AV System Project Team
Technical Consultant
Darren Pavitt
Installation Team
Darren Pavitt, Olly Vale and Audiotek AV specialists
Project Partners
Technology Partner: L-Acoustics
Fabrication Partner: Construcia
Installation Partner: Ibersound
Engineering Challenges
Designing the system for Time Out Barcelona presented several technical challenges due to the venue’s architectural layout and operational requirements.
Acoustic Complexity
The venue features a large open dining hall with reflective architectural surfaces and high ceilings.
In addition, multiple active kitchens generate significant background noise throughout the day.
Audiotek used L-Acoustics Soundvision software to model the acoustic behaviour of the space and optimise speaker placement within the Time Out Barcelona AV system.
Multi-Purpose Venue Requirements
Time Out Barcelona functions as a dining destination, event venue and cultural hub.
The AV system needed to support:
- Live music performances.
- Cooking demonstrations.
- Announcements and presentations.
- Ambient background music.
The Time Out Barcelona AV system therefore had to transition seamlessly between different operating modes.
Time Out Barcelona AV System Audiotek’s Engineering Solutions
Advanced Acoustic Modelling
Audiotek used detailed acoustic simulations to optimise speaker placement and minimise reflections.
This approach ensured the Time Out Barcelona AV system maintains clarity even in a busy hospitality environment.
Flexible System Operation
Programmable audio profiles allow staff to switch easily between event configurations, enabling the Time Out Barcelona AV system to support both live entertainment and day-to-day venue operations.
Time Out Barcelona AV System Premium Sound Performance
The L-Acoustics system was carefully calibrated to ensure live music delivers energy and clarity while background music remains comfortable for diners.
“Having worked on several Time Out Market venues, including Dubai, adapting to irregularly shaped venues while maintaining the fidelity and coverage of the sound is always challenging from an engineering perspective.
Our team thrives on these challenges, using advanced acoustic modelling and high-performance systems such as L-Acoustics to deliver flexible, premium audio solutions tailored to each space.”
Chris Kmiec
UK General Manager
Audiotek Limited
