JBL Pro makes a splash at Ibiza Rocks: “the party goes off each and every week”

Ibiza Rocks recently replaced its ageing sound system with a comprehensive Harman Professional live audio solution consisting of JBL Professional loudspeakers to ensure high-impact audio for its guests while minimising disturbances to local residents.

Originally conceived as a live music night at Manumission, Ibiza Rocks aimed to introduce a unique performance dynamic to the island, initially emphasising live bands. Over time, this focus evolved to include both live bands and DJs as headliners.

In 2008, Ibiza Rocks transitioned into a hotel, featuring an iconic poolside stage and a full schedule of events throughout the season. Throughout its evolution, the venue has continually refined its performance space to deliver an unparalleled pool party experience for guests while maintaining consideration for neighbouring residents.

The Ibiza Rocks team recently collaborated with Harman Professional Solutions to enhance its world-famous pool parties with a new stage position and upgrade to a JBL Professional VTX A-Series sound system, allowing for increased sound levels within the venue while minimising disturbances to neighbouring residents.

“We had a circular stage for a long time and a peripheral system going round the venue,” said Stuart Harris, Event and Production Manager, Ibiza Rocks. “It proved difficult for many reasons, and that’s when we started looking at what kind of stage are we going to use, where is the stage going to be, and what kind of PA are we going to use. We’re very happy with the new JBL system and all the artists are very happy with the sound. We’ve gained 5 to 6 dB within the venue with the JBL setup and we’re not upsetting our neighbours, which is huge for us.”

“We were all very sensitive to the neighbours near the venue, so we saw an opportunity to not only accommodate what the venue required, but also limit any disruption to the area,” added Carlos Nager, Senior Application Engineer, Harman Professional. “We designed the system with that in mind to achieve a very good SPL and coverage inside the performance area while trying to avoid spilling a lot of noise outside of the venue.”

Ibiza Rocks now features a main left-right array of six JBL VTX A8 line array speakers with two hangs of JBL VTX A6 compact line array speakers for outfill. Supporting the main system, four JBL AC28 speakers serve as the delay fills for the balcony, and the same number of JBL CBT 1000 column speakers cover areas further away from the stage to ensure an even sound field. Additional JBL AC28 cabinets provide the punchy and powerful sound requested for the VIP areas located on the side stages.

“One of the good things about the VTX A8 series is the definition and clarity that you get from it,” noted Chris Wood, Head of Sound at Ibiza Rocks. “If you have more definition and clarity, there’s no excuse to just reach for the volume to make up for stuff that isn’t really there. That really helps with keeping what is perceived loudness down and keeping the clarity up and everyone happy as well. We’ve moved in a really good direction for Ibiza Rocks. I think this will be a very good system for the venue for many years. I couldn’t be happier.”

To ensure a strong low end, 12 JBL VTX B15G subwoofers are deployed in cardioid mode to deliver a powerful and balanced bass response across the performance area while minimising spill behind the subs. Once the new system had been put through its paces, regularly performing DJs at Ibiza Rocks pool parties expressed being impressed with the new levels of performance.

“This season at Ibiza Rocks, the new JBL sound system has absolutely killed it for me,” said Joel Corry, DJ and producer. “Every side of the venue, every space in the venue, you can hear the music so loud and clearly and you can feel the bass. I love playing on it, and the party goes off each and every week.”

“The sound this year was incredible,” confirmed Shosh, DJ and producer. “JBL brought their A-game. You know that the equipment and the audio setup are professional, it’s tight and it’s there to back the performance.”