Located along the Red Sea on the new Jeddah Waterfront, Shangri-La Jeddah was envisioned as a luxury destination that redefines hospitality in the region. The hotel’s design, featuring floor-to-ceiling windows and elegant interiors, called for a sophisticated technological infrastructure to match its aesthetic and experiential standards. The hotel owner engaged Halwani Audio Visual (HAV), the exclusive distributor of HARMAN Professional Solutions in Saudi Arabia, to deliver a comprehensive audio system that could serve multiple spaces, from high-end restaurants and VIP suites to the lobby and a grand ballroom.
HAV worked closely with Shangri-La Jeddah to outfit the hotel with integrated solutions from JBL Professional, Crown, Soundcraft, and BSS. A key highlight of the project was the Shangri-La Main Ballroom, one of Jeddah’s most luxurious waterfront venues. The ballroom was equipped with 96 JBL Control 300 Series Ceiling Speakers, including Control 322C mains and Control 312CS subs powered by Crown XLS DriveCore Amplifiers. BSS processors handled DSP and matrixing, and JBL AE Expansion Series loudspeakers served as the L&R for multiple stage orientations.
Across the hotel’s six signature dining venues, HAV installed custom audio systems tailored to each environment. The Capo front lobby featured JBL CBT 70J-1 line arrays and Control C26T ceiling speakers indoors, with AWC 62 loudspeakers on the outdoor terrace. Niyyali Restaurant, set against panoramic Red Sea views, featured JBL Control 28-1L, Control C26T, and Control 19CS loudspeakers supported by Crown amplifiers and BSS DSP. Kaia Club was equipped with a weatherized DJ-ready system including JBL Control 31WH, JBL AWC 15LF, and JBL Control 28-1L. At Waterfront Kitchen, JBL CRV loudspeakers were arranged in a circular “lifebuoy” formation beneath a fishnet ceiling, with JBL Control 19CS subwoofers concealed above and Crown XLS amplifiers and BSS DSP managing the system.
The integration of HARMAN Professional audio technologies elevated Shangri-La Jeddah’s sensory experience, aligning seamlessly with the hotel’s world-class design and service. The solution delivered pristine sound quality across the property, enhancing guest engagement in both social and private spaces. Despite earlier challenges with a previous integrator, HAV’s expertise and HARMAN’s support ensured successful project delivery. Shangri-La Jeddah expressed high satisfaction with the final installation and acknowledged HAV’s excellence with future collaboration in mind.
“We are thrilled to have partnered with Shangri-La Jeddah to deliver an unparalleled audio experience. HARMAN’s products allowed us to integrate a sophisticated audio system that complements the luxurious atmosphere of the hotel,” said Bassam Halwani, CEO of Halwani Audio Visual (HAV). “The JBL speakers, Crown amplifiers, and BSS signal processors have significantly elevated the guest experience by providing clear, high-quality sound throughout the hotel. This project has set a new benchmark for audio excellence in the hospitality industry.”
