About Caerphilly RFC
Caerphilly RFC is one of Wales' oldest rugby clubs, competing in the Welsh Premiership and serving a loyal community in the shadow of Caerphilly Castle. Beyond match days, the clubhouse operates year-round as a venue for weddings, conferences, corporate events, and private functions, making high-quality audio essential for every type of gathering.
The Challenge
A £300,000 renovation, backed by a Welsh Government grant, gave Caerphilly RFC the opportunity to completely transform its three-room
clubhouse, including the Y Lolfa events hall, the Wizards Bar, and the Players Lounge.
The new audio system needed to support very different types of events: crystal-clear speech for conferences, impactful music for busy
evenings in the bar, and intelligible audio for live sports broadcasts.
It also had to be simple enough for bar staff to operate without technical training, all while staying within a defined budget.
Additionally, low ceilings and challenging room layouts made conventional loudspeaker placement impractical, requiring a solution that could deliver even coverage without dominating the space.
"They wanted bloody booming, as loud as he could get for the money.
But for events they needed low-volume, very good clarity."
— Tim Duggan, Infinity Smart Homes
The process
Working through several design iterations, Infinity Smart Homes collaborated with Habitech and Sonance Professional to develop a system that balanced performance, simplicity, and budget.
The team identified the control platform as the greatest opportunity for cost savings. By redesigning the system around Netvio's native integration with Blaze by Sonance PowerZone Connect amplifiers, they eliminated the need for a separate third-party control system. The result was a simpler, more cost-effective solution without compromising functionality or performance.
Habitech Design Services validated the final system design, while the Sonance Professional team provided loudspeaker guidance and Netvio handled the control integration. The completed installation delivers a three-zone, multi-source system operated from iPads in iPort docks behind the bar, giving staff intuitive control of audio and video routing throughout the venue.
"The Netvio works with the amplifiers, so we saved the money on the third-party control system. A massive cost saving."
— Nigel Clements, Habitech
The Solution
Sonance Professional Ci5-V loudspeakers solved the installation challenges created by the clubhouse's low ceilings and tight corners. Purpose-built for corner mounting, their angled enclosure delivers wide, even coverage from a compact footprint while blending discreetly into the venue's interior. Running on a convenient 100V line, the system was also quick and straightforward to install.
Integrated DSP presets within the Blaze by Sonance amplifier optimized each loudspeaker for its mounting orientation, significantly improving clarity and tonal balance.
Combined with acoustic ceiling treatment in the sports bar, the system delivers excellent speech intelligibility for presentations while providing the high output needed for match days and lively evening events.
The installation also provides a scalable foundation for future expansion, with capacity to add additional Dante-enabled zones as the venue's needs evolve.
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The Outcome
Today, Caerphilly RFC has a flexible audio system that supports everything from conferences and televised sporting events to packed Friday nights in the bar. Staff can manage the system with minimal training, members regularly stream their own music, and the venue has reduced its reliance on hired entertainment while creating a more engaging atmosphere for guests.
By combining discreet loudspeaker design, intuitive control, and scalable networked amplification, Sonance Professional helped deliver an audio solution that supports both the club's community traditions and its long-term commercial ambitions.
Key stakeholders Habitech Pro and Inifity Smart Homes actualized this project solution through Habitech Pro's Design services. Visit either one below.
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