Holt Renfrew continues investing in premium retail audio with a second 1 SOUND installation.
Following the success of an initial 1 SOUND installation on ON 3, Holt Renfrew’s experiential retail floor, the prestigious luxury retailer has expanded its commitment to premium audio with a second deployment at its flagship Toronto store. After recording increased sales during the first month following the original installation, Holt Renfrew once again partnered with GAV MGMT to elevate the shopping experience through a carefully integrated sound system.
Located at 50 Bloor Street East in Toronto, the project focused on creating a refined acoustic environment that complemented the store’s luxury atmosphere while preserving the clean architectural vision developed by STUDIO PAOLO FERRARI.
The objective was to deliver clear, full-range sound with balanced low-frequency support and consistent coverage throughout the space, while ensuring the technology remained visually unobtrusive.
The first 1 SOUND installation resulted in increased sales
The audio system renovation was driven by the measurable success of an earlier installation.
After upgrading Holt Renfrew’s experiential retail floor with a premium 1 SOUND system, the retailer experienced higher sales and increased event activity during the first month following the installation. Encouraged by these results, the company decided to continue investing in high-end audio by upgrading another floor of the flagship store.
This second installation forms part of a broader initiative to create a more immersive shopping experience throughout the flagship location, recognizing that carefully designed sound significantly enhances how customers perceive a luxury retail environment.
Designed for a luxury retail environment
Luxury retail spaces present unique design challenges. Every element of the customer experience is carefully considered, requiring technology to enhance the environment without competing with it visually.
GAV MGMT approached the project with equal attention to acoustic performance and architectural integration.
The design process began with a detailed assessment of the floor layout, customer flow, ceiling conditions, merchandising areas, and the acoustic characteristics of the space. Using 1 SOUND’s Auralis acoustic prediction and 3D design software, the team modeled loudspeaker coverage before installation, optimizing placement to achieve consistent performance while preserving the store’s refined aesthetic.
Rather than adapting a standard loudspeaker layout to the space, the system was specifically designed around the architecture and customer journey.
Clear and consistent coverage throughout the store
The distributed audio system features 1 SOUND Cannon C5i loudspeakers paired with MiniSUB5 subwoofers, creating a balanced listening experience across the retail floor.
By combining column-mounted loudspeakers with ceiling-mounted MiniSUB5 subwoofers—which extend only five inches (12.7 cm) below the ceiling—GAV MGMT created a system capable of delivering accurate music reproduction, controlled low-frequency response, and even coverage throughout the space, while maintaining a highly discreet visual presence.
The result is a natural, highly intelligible audio environment that never feels intrusive. Music remains clear, warm, and consistent from one department to another, enhancing the atmosphere without interfering with conversations or competing with the luxury shopping experience.
Enhancing the customer experience through sound
At Holt Renfrew, audio serves a purpose far beyond background music. It helps shape how customers perceive the environment, how long they stay engaged within the space, and how they experience the brand itself.
By seamlessly integrating a premium sound system into the architecture, GAV MGMT created an environment in which technology supports the retail experience without becoming its focal point.
The completed system reinforces Holt Renfrew’s premium brand positioning while demonstrating how intelligently integrated audio can add value to both the customer experience and overall business performance.
Building on the proven success of the retailer’s previous 1 SOUND installation, this project demonstrates how a strategic investment in high-quality sound can deliver lasting value well beyond the system’s technical performance alone.
