Powersoft’s amplifiers create a refined audio ambience in a 14th-century Renaissance hotel.

In the heart of Lyon’s historic old town, Cour des Loges, a five-star Radisson Collection hotel, has reopened following an extensive two-year renovation, which includes a fully integrated audio system designed to enhance the experience of every guest across the venue.

Located within a Renaissance complex dating back to the 14th century, this landmark hotel features 61 unique rooms and suites, two restaurants (including Les Loges, which has regained its Michelin star following the renovation), as well as a collection of spaces designed to deliver an exceptional hospitality experience.

To unify all areas with a consistent yet adaptable sound atmosphere, integrator PLUG’In Design developed a complete audio solution centred on six compact Powersoft MEZZO 604 AD amplifiers.

Headquartered south of Lyon with offices across France (Montpellier, Nantes and Paris), PLUG’In Design is an AV integrator specialising in professional environments, from workspaces to high-end restaurants and hotels. For Cour des Loges, the objective was to design a fully customised sonic environment across all areas of the hotel, including inner courtyards, lounges, both restaurants, reception and retail spaces.

Preserving the architectural integrity of the historic structure was paramount. The original stone walls and Renaissance features limited cable routing options and restricted conventional installation methods.

Working with a heritage building presents a real challenge. It requires expertise and specific solutions to turn those constraints into a successful project. The historic architecture made cable routing through the walls complex, requiring us to adapt to existing limitations while delivering a solution that remained simple, intuitive and reliable for the hotel staff’s daily operation, says Joshua Bednarski, CEO of PLUG’In Design.

The result is a discreet yet powerful audio infrastructure that integrates seamlessly into the hotel’s refined aesthetic.

At the core of the installation are six Powersoft MEZZO 604 AD amplifiers. Each unit is a compact four-channel, 600 W amplifier with integrated DSP and Dante networking, delivering the reliability and sound quality associated with the Powersoft brand in a chassis half the size of a standard 1U amplifier.The AD version extends networking capabilities with Dante and AES67, enabling remote control and monitoring while ensuring flexible signal routing throughout the venue. Its compact form factor, combined with the included mounting kit, allows discreet installation of the amplifiers in constrained technical spaces, a key advantage in a centuries-old building. “Powersoft amplifiers provide flexible multi-zone control and precise management of different sound atmospheres across the venue”, adds Bednarski.

The amplification system powers Biamp ENT203-BK, ENT220-BK and ENT206-BK loudspeakers, delivering clear and balanced audio reproduction tailored to each area of the hotel. Centralised control is handled via intuitive touchscreen tablets, allowing staff to easily manage audio levels and zoning without requiring technical expertise.

Our installation is based on three pillars. Firstly, it centralises control using touchscreen tablets for easy management. Secondly, the loudspeakers provide exceptional audio clarity and a discreet design that blends seamlessly with the space’s décor. Finally, we use a modern network infrastructure that includes Powersoft amplifiers, enabling flexible control of different sound atmospheres across the venue, explains Bednarski. 

During commissioning, the focus was on achieving clarity and tonal balance while maintaining conversational comfort in lounges and dining areas. The system enables the creation of distinct ambience profiles for each zone, ensuring that the atmosphere aligns with the hotel’s identity.

Operating seamlessly, the new sound system delivers consistent performance without visually impacting the historic environment. “Today, the system meets the client’s expectations, delivering what they anticipated in terms of user experience”, says Bednarski. “And that is our greatest satisfaction”.

The audio installation carried out by PLUG’In Design at Cour des Loges stands out for its discretion and quality. The integration blends with the venue’s architecture while delivering an immersive and elegant sound experience. Having a high-quality audio system is essential in a space like Cour des Loges: it plays a key role in shaping the atmosphere, enhancing guest comfort, and elevating every space, concludes Yves Grardel, Cluster General Manager of Radisson Blu Lyon and Radisson Collection Cour des Loges Lyon. 

By combining compact amplification with network connectivity and careful integration planning, PLUG’In Design has demonstrated how modern, high-performance audio solutions can be successfully implemented even in architecturally sensitive environments.

Photo credit: ©PLUG’In Design