Hidden Grooves at Virgin Shoreditch

London’s audio scene just got a serious upgrade. Virgin Hotel’s latest addition is a stunning Japanese-inspired listening room, designed and installed by the experts at Project Audio - a space where high-fidelity meets high design, celebrating the art of deep listening and the ever evolving culture and demand for high end sound systems.At the heart of this sonic sanctuary sits a pair of Tannoy Westminsters, true legends in the world of loudspeakers. Towering and timeless, these flagship cabinets are powered by the Luxman M-10X, the brand’s new statement power amplifier that delivers extraordinary musicality and grip.

Completing the amplification chain is Luxman’s 509Z integrated amplifier, serving also as the preamplifier.  With the addition of the amplifier section powering the Tannoy Autograph Mini’s.  A further FFA TPI Amplifier is powering the low end via an NST DSP for crossover filters and time alignment ensuring absolute control and clarity of the low end.To optimise the system for all scenarios and to get the mid high’s higher into the space, they added four TPI bass reflex UC15G units, two sit under each Tannoy Westminster pushing the low end into new dimensions while bringing those rich, golden midranges of the Tannoys into perfect focus. Sitting proudly atop each Westminster is a Tannoy Super Tweeter, extending the system’s high frequency performance for shimmering air and crystalline detail.

The room itself is a love letter to both audiophile precision and club-ready energy. Around the space, filling every pocket and seating zone, sit Tannoy Autograph Minis, smaller but no less refined, delivering lush detail across the entire room. It’s a system built for versatility - as comfortable delivering jazz at intimate volume as it is to dancefloor beats for late-night sessions.And then, there’s the DJ booth - a space meticulously designed in collaboration with Project Audio to be as beautiful as it is functional. Sitting pride of place are Technics 1200G turntables, a nod to both audiophile sensibility and club heritage. The mixer? None other than the Isonoe 420, a masterpiece of British engineering known for its incredible clarity and precise EQ. For booth monitoring, a further set of Tannoy Autograph Minis completes the chain, ensuring DJs hear exactly what the room hears.The whole system is floating on Townshend Seismic Isolators, designed to break the acoustic connection between the floor and the speaker. Hugely reducing bass transference going through the rest of the building. This in addition delivers a wider and deep soundstage creating a more engaging and articulate listening experience. 

Custom made to handle the 230kg speaker stack.In addition to the main system, the space features two dedicated listening stations, each equipped with Grado SR325x headphones, Technics 1210 MK7 turntables, and a Leak Stereo 130 amplifier - offering a private personal and detailed way to enjoy records.This isn’t just a listening room - it’s a hybrid sound system, seamlessly blending pro-audio power with true audiophile finesse. Whether you’re listening to a rare pressing of Coltrane or heating up the floor with disco edits, this system can handle it - with poise, power, and precision.And what makes this space even more special is timing. Both Luxman and Tannoy are celebrating their 100th anniversaries, and this room stands as a tribute to their legacies - a fusion of Japanese craftsmanship and British audio innovation, honouring the very best of both.

This installation was designed by Jason Bacon and the Project Audio team, trusted London-based specialists known for creating bespoke sound systems across music, art, fashion, and luxury hospitality. From boutique hotels to fashion shows and live events, their work is all about understanding the space and building the right sound system to fit it. It’s been a real honour for the team to work alongside Neil Aline again - a chance to bring together a shared vision and carefully shape every detail of the room’s sound. Neil spent time at Project Audio demo spaces, trialling products, listening critically, and making sure every piece chosen was the right fit - all to ensure the final system stayed true to the vision we set out to achieve together. @tannoy1926 @tpisound @luxman.japan @technics_global @gradolabs @isonoe_london @leakaudio @townshendaudio @virginhotelsldnshoreditch