AMSTERDAM, THE NETHERLANDS, 29 January, 2008 — In an example of how Harman Pro Group commercial audio components can be combined by chain operators into a winning template the company today announced that it had supplied MAX Hamburger restaurants in Sweden with JBL Control Contractor Series loudspeakers, Crown amplification and dbx ZonePro control for each of the chain‘s 11 outlets. The Harman Pro Group solution was selected for easy installation and management, superior sonic integrity and standardized, intuitive operation and control.

MAX Hamburger, Sweden‘s oldest and most popular hamburger chain recently underwent a comprehensive chain-wide renovation to improve the efficiency, brand impression and overall atmospherics of each outlet. They turned to Swedish HPro Distributor Septon to provide the highest quality sound system that would remain durable and cost effective throughout its use.

Each MAX restaurant contains 16 JBL Control 24CT micro ceiling-mount speakers that are compact and provide full, high quality sound for background music and music plus paging systems. In addition, there are 4 Control 19CS in-ceiling speakers subwoofers for filling out the low frequency range. To extend paging and music to the outdoor section of the restaurants, Septon specified 2 Control 24CT ceiling mount speakers, each featuring titanium-coated tweeters, and capable of delivering maximum sound level over a wide coverage area.

The loudspeakers are powered by 2 Crown CDi1000 amplifiers that deliver up to 700 watts per channel of clean output power and feature intuitive front panel LCD screens for quick and easy configuration. Onboard digital signal processing includes crossovers, EQ filters, delay, and output limiting. Control for the system is provided by a dbx ZonePro 641 controller with two easy to use panels for extended access to the system within the restaurant.

“The MAX owners are really interested in high quality sound,” said Jan Hedlund of Septon audio in Sweden. “So we looked for the best, most fully integrated sound system we could find and the Harman technologies ideal because they‘re designed to work best together.”

Echoing this sentiment, Mark Bailey, Harman Pro Group Applications Engineer, noted, “The management at MAX Hamburger understands that they‘re providing not simply fast food, but also somewhere for their customers to meet and be sociable. To achieve his goal, the restaurant environment is designed to be vibrant and welcoming and audio plays a big part in creating this effect. Septon‘s task was to create a system template that would achieve the audio goals but would also be easily replicated chain-wide and would enable just the right levels of localized adjustment and control. We‘re pleased that our components allowed Septon to do this effectively and cost efficiently.”

About the Harman Pro Group:
Headquartered in Northridge, California, the Harman Pro Group is part of Harman International Industries, Incorporated (www.harman.com), a leading manufacturer of high-quality, high fidelity audio products and infotainment systems for the automotive, home and professional markets. The Company’s stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol: HAR. Harman Pro Group companies include AKG Acoustics, BSS Audio, dbx, Crown International, JBL Professional, Lexicon, Soundcraft, and Studer.
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