Exacting Diseno Technical Services Relies on Martin Audio to Deliver A Premium Sonic Ambience at Dubai’s Coco Grill & Lounge

Exacting Diseno Technical Services, helmed by Lou Agha, continues to strengthen its reputation for high-quality installations in Dubai’s luxury hospitality sector with the deployment of a premium Martin Audio sound system at Coco Grill & Lounge. Developed in partnership with regional distributor PRO LAB, the installation supports a unique concept from venue owner Naz Choudhury — a fusion of upscale Shisha Lounge and Dubai’s first Redemption Bar, offering alcohol-free sophistication with an emphasis on immersive experiences.

Coco Grill & Lounge is the Dubai extension of Choudhury’s original concept in London, which overlooks Tower Bridge. The new downtown location offers similarly spectacular views — this time of the iconic Burj Khalifa — and continues the brand’s ethos of high-end hospitality paired with rich musical atmospheres. When asked about audio preferences, Choudhury was immediately drawn to Martin Audio, having used the brand in his London venue.

Agha began the project with a demonstration at PRO LAB, showcasing various Martin Audio options including CDD models and FlexPoint systems. “We started with the small FP, and he was amazed by the sound quality,” recalled Agha. This led to a customised system design tailored for the venue’s low ceilings, mixed-use layout and live performance requirements.

The interior zones are served by Martin Audio CDD6 speakers, while the venue’s expansive outdoor areas — blending shisha service with DJ sets and live acoustic music — feature 14 units of the Blackline X8 loudspeakers supported by six SX112 subwoofers. The entire system is networked via a Dante backbone and spread across nine independent zones. The design also integrates six refurbished ADORN A55 speakers, supplemented by additional units at the venue’s entrance, where a pair of A55 and an SX110 subwoofer create a warm welcome.

As patrons pass through to the Dome area, they’re immersed in sound via six FlexPoint FP8 speakers and four SX112 subwoofers. Even the venue’s restrooms aren’t overlooked — ADORN ACS 40TS ultra-compact ceiling speakers deliver refined background music at 16 ohms, maintaining acoustic consistency throughout.

The non-smoking lounge areas feature dedicated soundscapes: one zone includes four CDD6 and two SX110 subwoofers, while another utilises six CDD6 with two SX110 units. The smoking areas are similarly equipped, ranging from two to four CDD6 units per section, supported by appropriately scaled SX110 subwoofers. One of these sections, Smoking Area 3, is also available for private rental, necessitating a discrete yet powerful setup of four CDD6 and two SX110 units.

“In order not to intrude on the lounge’s aesthetic, the subwoofers are placed discreetly,” noted Agha. “I used the SX110 rather than the SX210 because of space constraints — I couldn’t put the SX210 on its side, so I separated them into pairs of SX110s.”

By day, the venue operates with a curated Spotify playlist programmed by Coco’s DJs, with selections favouring Afro Beats to maintain a unified sonic identity across both the London and Dubai locations. Audio routing and DSP are handled by a Xilica FR1 processor, ensuring seamless zone control and sound shaping.

Describing itself as a venue that “redefines sophistication,” Coco delivers on that promise not only through its culinary and visual elements, but also through the detail and depth of its sound — made possible by a Martin Audio system meticulously tuned to elevate every facet of the guest experience.