K-array and the Austrian distributor Lenz (www.musik-lenz.at, a well known company, above all in the sector of musical instruments) made first contact in 2008, following the advice of one of the company's partners, Mr. Fiedler, who had purchased the K-array product and had been greatly impressed by the quality and the innovative features of the diffusers. Fiedler’s enthusiasm hit the bull’s eye with the owners, Matthias and Josef Lenz, who, after contacting the company from Florence and listening to the diffusers at a few demos, chose to distribute the K-array brand in Austria. As Josef Lenz declares, “Initially, our market was unprepared for such innovation: following the first listening sessions at the shops, thanks to the loyalty of our clients and dealers and, above all, to the unmistakable quality of K-array products, we succeeded in making contact with Austrian professionals in the installation world". The first testing ground for K-array in Austria were installations in hotels, restaurants, bars and mountain accommodation facilities of a certain prestige. Lenz adds “I see excellent prospects in the music and rental&staging, markets which we are currently approaching”.
Returning to the installations, K-array drew attention to itself in a prestigious and exclusive setting:  Schloss Prielau (www.schloss-prielau.at ), a castle nestled in a fable-like landscape. A private beach on the lake, woods and pastures all around, Spa, two restaurants, two suites, seven double rooms and one apartment, make Schloss Prielau a beacon of comfort and luxury in a medieval structure, naturally equipped with an equally high level of technology. The original quality of the hotel in the castle imposes extreme care and attention to every detail, also to the essential equipment so that guests can feel at home, audio system included. Lenz made contact with the owner through the architect behind the renovation work of the restaurant, who was interested in the performances and discreet aesthetics of the Lyzard and Kobra diffusers. The architect informed the Schloss owners of the availability of  the K-array products, considering them most fitting to the needs of the hotel; the latter visited Lenz (the office is in Austria close to Schloss Prielau) to listen to the various diffusers and...the purchase order was signed. Karl Wienand, the K-array Product Manager employed by Lenz, was in charge of designing the whole system in coordination with architects, owners and all the companies involved in the construction.
The installation work involved the voicing of seven different zones, both indoors and outdoors. As the Schloss plays host to various events, including weddings in the park, a couple of KK50 diffusers were installed there supported by a KL21MA subwoofer. In the bar area, where live concerts are also held, the PA system is composed by a couple of KK50s, a KL12MA active subwoofer and three KT20 active Tornados as sidefill. The other zones of the hotel are designed to diffuse background music, with active Tornado systems or Lyzard in combination with KU36 subwoofers, as in the case of the wine bar. In all cases, the diffusers practically “disappear” into the furnishings, accomplishing their function with the necessary discretion. The entire system is managed by a control booth located in an area at the bar, which houses the matrix to sort the different sources (a computer with the audio files, satellite TV, DVD, CD, radio) between the different zones. The amplification is assigned to the K-array KA7, KA7-7 and KA10-10 electronics.
Quality, aesthetics and tradition interact; yet again, K-array proves it has what it takes to be the best in installations in luxury and exclusive settings.

www.musik-lenz.at

Photos by: Karl Wienand (exept: Winter Castle, taken from hompage)