AUSTRALIA: At Melbourne’s Maison Bâtard, fine dining, striking design and immersive audio come together in a venue where every detail is meticulously considered. Behind the four-level restaurant’s grand interior lies a powerful and discreet audio backbone driven entirely by Powersoft Unica amplifiers — a solution chosen to support experiences as nuanced as a rooftop dinner and as energetic as a full-fledged nightclub.

From the project’s inception, Lucas Restaurants and long-time audio partner Zelo Group set out to create an atmosphere that transcended the traditional restaurant brief. The basement entertainment space, Le Club, required true nightclub capability, while the main dining levels and rooftop terrace demanded a more subtle, high-fidelity approach. Meeting these diverse performance requirements called for amplification capable of delivering both club-ready impact and refined sonic detail. Powersoft’s Unica series was the natural match.

“Unica represents a genuine step forward in amplifier technology,” says Ben Clarke of PAVT – Powersoft’s official distributor – who collaborated closely with Zelo throughout the design phase. “Its power-sharing architecture means a single standardised model can serve the entire venue. All available wattage is dynamically distributed where it’s needed, so you avoid racks of different amp types, and you gain flexibility that operators really appreciate.”

At a high-profile destination like Maison Bâtard, reliability was paramount. Unica’s redundant cooling system, easily accessible front-panel foam filters, and PoE-powered front end allow commissioning and remote diagnostics before mains power is even applied — a significant advantage in a venue where downtime or unnecessary visual clutter simply isn’t acceptable. Powersoft’s “easy-swap” DSP modules further reinforce this resilience, allowing quick on-site replacements by non-technical staff if ever needed.

Across the venue, Powersoft amplification drives a carefully calibrated EAW loudspeaker setup, from MKC series models in the dining spaces to a high-output MKD solution powering Le Club. With each Unica channel individually addressable, venue management can fine-tune specific zones or even individual tables.

“If the restaurant wants a table-specific volume adjustment, it’s just a matter of a few taps,” Clarke adds. “That level of granularity, without excessive rack space or energy use, is a real advantage.”

The system has already proven its capability. Le Club has hosted private events for global artists, including a standout night where Drake pushed the rig to its limits — and left thoroughly impressed. Above, diners enjoy music that enhances their experience without overwhelming conversation, thanks to a sound design embedded early in the architectural process and powered consistently by Unica.