CODA Audio Enhances KTV Skyline

The popularity of Karaoke Television, more commonly referred to as KTV, continues to grow globally. The trend towards groups of friends sharing private karaoke rooms is a musical and cultural phenomenon, and nowhere more so than in China, where entertainment businesses have invested heavily in the sector, creating well-equipped venues where ambience and audio quality are key, as Headliner learns…

Covering a total area of 30,000 sqm, the recently opened Skyline venue in the Chinese city of Hangzhou is the largest single-party and KTV entertainment complex in the world. Spread across four floors, it comprises a combination of small, medium and large party spaces, including KTV rooms created for private and business customers. Leading audio specialist Zhejiang Tongbo Vision Technology was drafted in to install the audio requirements of this large and prestigious project, with CODA Audio systems chosen to meet the demands of every space.

During the installation, which began in 2022 and took two years (officially opening in December 2024) the Tongbo team faced many challenges, including the sheer size of the complex, with its many high ceilings and large floor areas requiring careful audio planning and design. Project manager Cai Baoliang was responsible for ensuring the complexities of the project were met with solutions: “The key features of the Skyline were its height and scale,” he says. “The installation was a complex integration of sound, light and electrical systems, which posed a number of challenges in terms of soundproofing and aesthetics. All of these were overcome by the collective efforts of our dedicated team.”

Despite some of the challenges described by Baoliang, Skyline executive general manager Chen Wei was confident about the choice of CODA Audio systems to deliver the quality they needed. “I’ve been a manager at top-tier entertainment venues in China since 2012,” he expresses, “and in every high-end entertainment venue across the country, I always see CODA Audio loudspeakers!”

As well as KTV, the main hall at Skyline regularly hosts live professional DJ sets. With an area of 500 sqm and a ceiling height of 23m, it required tight, punchy, controlled sound, which was provided by six APS (arrayable point source) supported by two PW418 subwoofers and driven by a single CODA Audio LINUS14 DSP amplifier. On the first floor, there are also ten smaller DJ party rooms, with floor areas of 240 sqm and ceiling heights of 13m, each equipped with four HOPS12i-96 (high output point source) loudspeakers, two PW418 subs, and two PW118 subs. Driven by LINUS amplification, the systems ensure that every corner of the rooms enjoys powerful, evenly distributed sound.

On the second floor of the vast complex are 40 medium-sized party rooms, each covering around 80sqm with a ceiling height of 6m. Two G512-Pro, two G515-Pro (versatile full range, two-way 12” and 15” respectively) loudspeakers, and two PW118 subs provide the required quality and power for a premium karaoke experience.

Finally, the third floor comprises 50 business KTV rooms, each covering around 50sqm with a ceiling height of 5m, and equipped with two or three G512-Pro, two auxiliary G308 (full range, two-way 8”) loudspeakers, and a single PW118 sub, ensuring that the highest level of audio quality is maintained throughout.

“The CODA Audio systems at the Skyline are the most advanced I have seen in any club,” affirms Wei. “Since its recent opening, both our clients and management have praised the CODA speakers very highly, and the sound quality has fully met our expectations.”

“Hangzhou Skyline carries significant influence as a global benchmark in the top-tier Party-K sector,” states Tongbo general manager, Mr Zhou Wenbao. “A great club system should be loud and clear, immersive, expansive in coverage, smooth yet dynamic, combining power and delicacy. We understand these requirements and are always committed to innovation and driving the upgrade of industry standards. We are pleased that our partners have consistently responded that CODA Audio is the undisputed star of the party!”

With over 600 CODA Audio loudspeakers installed across this expansive facility, the teams involved have praised each other’s collective efforts. Reflecting on the scale of the installation, global sales and marketing director for CODA Audio, David Webster, says, “Tongbo’s work at the Hangzhou Skyline is a remarkable achievement. The scale of a task like this can’t be underestimated, but once again, their team has passed every test with flying colours. We’re very proud that CODA Audio loudspeakers are at the centre of this development, and playing their part in delivering high-quality sound in such an amazing venue.”