U Street Music Hall

By Travis Bernard

When the owners and architects behind U Street Music Hall began planning their club, they knew exactly what they needed to separate their venue from the crowd of DJ-focused venues in the DC area. They wanted to book top notch artists, but they needed an incredible sound system to lure in world renowned talent and audio-heads. With sound as its top priority, the owners of U Street Music Hall selected ITI Audio to deliver the best audio system in the city. ITI Audio engineers arrived at the venue and implemented their reputable design process, consisting of computer aided acoustical modeling and speaker “aiming and placement” strategies.

The end result was a 500-person room that features a 1,200-square-foot cork-cushioned dance floor and a state-of-the-art sound system designed by ITI Audio. The setup ITI Audio installed at U Street Music Hall consists of:

  • 5 x Martin Audio WS218X subwoofers

  • 4 x Martin Audio H3+

  • 2 Martin Audio H3H

  • 8 x L’Acoustics dVDosc

  • 2 x L’Acoustics dVsub

The system is processed with a BSS Soundweb London Blu-160 and a XTA DP226, and the subwoofer amplification is handled by Martin Audio MA9.6K and MA12K. Amplification for all other system components is controlled by Crown MA3600VZ amps. The biggest surprise for most people when they read the tech specs is the number of subwoofers. After stepping foot into U Street Music Hall, it will be hard for you to believe that the system only has five subs.

Although the original design of the venue was an immediate hit, the club owners wanted more. The system is always getting better, and ITI Audio has provided all the resources to keep the club at the cutting edge of audio, technology, and innovation. More recent improvements to the system include subwoofer amplifier upgrades to MA9.6K and MA12K, a Martin Audio LE2100 center DJ monitor, and a Digico SD-9 digital mixing console with 72i x 24o. U Street Music Hall is an ongoing project, and ITI’s work here is never finished.

As Adam Weiner (Principal at ITI Audio) explains, “U Hall is an example of what happens when people who give a care about how their music sounds do everything right in designing their club.” We could rave about this venue all day, but don’t take it from us – ask around. Below is a list of a few of the many glowing reviews about the sound at U Street Music Hall.

“Bass drips like subsonic honey from U Hall’s six-figure sound system, an incredible machine that trumps any nightclub’s in the city.”

Named #2 best sound system in America

“U Hall in DC has the best soundsystem I’ve heard in America! It was so good playing bass music and actually feeling the bass!”

“U Street Music Hall one of my fave gigs this year. You guys rule and sound was great.”

We are thrilled about the venue, and we hope you have chance to see our crown jewel in action.