Perched high above the historic town of Kitzbühel, Restaurant Hochkitzbühel bei Tomschy has established itself as one of the most vibrant destinations in the Austrian Alps, seamlessly blending panoramic dining with a high energy après-ski atmosphere. By day, the venue welcomes guests for relaxed meals overlooking the surrounding peaks, while at weekends it transforms into a bustling DJ-led social hub drawing crowds from across the region. This dual identity, coupled with its sensitive Alpine setting surrounded by neighboring lodges, created a complex audio challenge. The need to deliver powerful, high-quality sound while maintaining strict control over noise dispersion.
Owner Christoph Tomschy was looking for a system that could effortlessly transition between refined background music and full-scale DJ performance without compromising clarity or breaching local sound regulations. Working in close collaboration with integrator LiveWire, leading Italian audio manufacturer K-array offered a solution that places precision and control at its core, ensuring the venue could operate confidently across both indoor and outdoor environments.
Inside the main lounge, the design had to contend with acoustically reflective materials including wood flooring and glass partitions, while still achieving consistent coverage and musical clarity. K-array addressed this through the deployment of multiple Python-KP52 discreet line array loudspeakers, whose controlled vertical dispersion reduces unwanted reflections and maintains intelligibility even at higher levels.
This approach allows the space to function equally well as a relaxed dining area and a high energy DJ environment. Additional Dragon-KX12 loudspeakers positioned near the DJ booth provide the necessary headroom and impact for live performances. A combination of Thunder-KS1 and KS3 subwoofers delivers low frequency reinforcement that is both powerful and tightly controlled, focusing energy where it is needed without overwhelming the room. Dedicated monitoring ensures DJs can perform comfortably without excessive stage volume, reinforcing the system’s balance between performance and control.
The outdoor terrace presented an even greater challenge. With sweeping views across the Alpine landscape, it is highly exposed to environmental conditions and subject to strict local noise limits. Here, K-array’s directional loudspeaker technology proved critical. Python-KP102 column loudspeakers were selected for their ability to deliver controlled horizontal coverage with narrow vertical dispersion, directing sound precisely towards the terrace while minimizing spill into the surrounding environment. Complementing this, Rumble-KU315 subwoofers are strategically positioned to reinforce bass within the venue boundary, reducing low frequency propagation beyond it. This careful orchestration ensures that guests experience a full and engaging soundscape without excessive volume levels, even during peak après-ski moments.
Environmental durability was another key consideration. Alpine conditions, including snow, wind, UV exposure and rapid temperature fluctuations, place significant demands on installed systems. K-array’s marine-grade treatment ensures long-term reliability, with the system at bei Tomschy already demonstrating resilience through extreme weather conditions, from heavy snowfall to intense sun exposure.
Central to the project’s success is the system’s intelligent control and processing infrastructure. Powered by a Kommander-KA68 amplifier with integrated DSP, the system allows precise tuning across all zones, including crossover management, delay alignment and level control. A Q-SYS platform provides intuitive operation, enabling staff to switch seamlessly between different usage scenarios such as daytime dining, après-ski gatherings and DJ events. This ensures consistent sound quality while maintaining regulatory compliance, supported by dynamic sound limiting and zoning capabilities that keep the audio focused.
The collaboration between K-array and Livewire was instrumental in delivering a solution tailored to the venue’s unique requirements, balancing technical performance with discreet integration and ease of use. As Trevor Davison, company director at LiveWire explains, “Mountain venues like bei Tomschy demand a very precise approach to sound design. Using K-array’s controlled dispersion loudspeakers, we were able to deliver an energetic DJ environment while ensuring sound remains focused within the venue and in harmony with the surrounding Alpine community.”
Today, bei Tomschy stands as a reference point for high-performance audio in challenging hospitality environments. Guests can enjoy a seamless transition from ambient dining to vibrant entertainment, supported by a sound system that delivers both impact and precision.
For Christoph Tomschy, the outcome reflects the essence of the venue itself. He says, “bei Tomschy is a truly special place where at 1,700 meters above sea level, we offer guests an experience like no other. During the day, people dine and take in the breathtaking views over the stunning Alpine peaks, then by night the DJ takes the stage and the whole place comes alive. The K-array system is at the heart of it all, giving us the precise and powerful audio we wanted while still respecting the beautiful environment we are so proud to be part of.”