We've upgraded our Sound System in Room 1 for the first time in 25 years...

As one part of our many ‘fabric25’ celebrations, we have extended our relationship with Martin Audio dating back nearly a quarter of a century by announcing a substantial upgrade to our flagship Room 1.

Since the installation of the sound system at the start of the new millennium, we have never looked back and maintained its faith in the state-of-the-art sound systems offered to our roster of world-class DJs.

But when it came to the latest refresh, our tech manager Matt Smith decided to follow a different path. Nervous at the prospect of losing what he describes as “that distinctive Room 1 sound” he asked Martin Audio if they would overhaul the existing 20-year-old W8C system and add new sub woofers.

However, it was quite a journey before that decision was reached. “There was a nervousness that the new installation could change the character of what the room was about,” Smith acknowledges. He was also mindful that it had been fabric founder Keith Reilly who had countenanced the original switch to Martin Audio “and that there was a romanticism about this system.”

Finally, he consulted our inner pool of promoters, DJs and sound engineers, along with our in-house team: “they were unanimous that we should renovate in order to retain our signature (Room1) Martin Audio (Legacy) sound and preserve what is quite a historic installation.”

Although the installation is taking place in phases, the verdict to date from our technical manager is already 100% positive. “The new system delivers a lot more power, and with the power availability of the new amps, we are never going to get near peaking. It’s very clean, tight and punchy… but it’s not about volume for us, we want to keep it sounding good rather than loud.”

And, of course, aside from the romance associated with preserving Martin Audio’s legacy system, there is also the emotional attachment with the custom F12 (DJ monitors), now replaced with Martin Audio’s newest speaker range. “The number of DJs they’ve seen in Room 1, those F12s … you just can’t get rid of them,” concludes Matt Smith.

“Fortunately, we’ve found a really good use for them, and they are doing a great job in their new place.”

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