Sound that serves the spectacle
Carnival by Trèsind gets a refreshed audio experience thanks to a discreet NEXO solution designed by Thomsun
Rather than fine dining, Carnival by Trèsind has built its reputation on the idea of “fun dining”. Since opening in DIFC in 2016 as part of the Passion F&B Group, the restaurant has become known for its colourful seasonal themes, live table-side presentations and theatrical brunches. With a capacity of up to 150 seated guests and regular corporate events accommodating upwards of 200 people, the venue relies on lively ambience as much as its cuisine.
For restaurant manager Firoz Pasha, that ambience is only complete when the food, visual presentation and sound all work together. “If I go to a restaurant, I don’t go only for the food,” Pasha explains. “There should be satisfaction for your stomach, your eyes and your ears. If one of these is missing, the experience is incomplete.”
As Carnival’s brunch concept grew and weekend DJs became part of the offering, it soon became clear that the venue’s original ceiling speakers were no longer suited to the shift from soft background music to higher-energy foreground sound. As a result, the Passion F&B IT division approached local distributor Thomsun for a rethink. Thomsun specified a NEXO system that could shift seamlessly between weekday dining, corporate functions and weekend events with DJs or occasional live performers.
“Carnival needed a very versatile system,” explains Thomsun’s professional audio sales executive Zubair Mohamad. “The layout is uneven with glass on one side, drapes on another and different seating formats depending on the day. It was important there were no dead spots, wherever guests are sitting. The audio system that we designed had to cover a range of different scenarios and do a great job with all of them.”
Ten NEXO ID14 compact point source speakers were installed throughout the indoor and outdoor areas, chosen for their small size and ability to blend into the décor. Two NEXO ePS12s provide front-of-house reinforcement at the stage area, while low-frequency support comes from four IDS110 subs distributed around the venue and a pair of NEXO L15 subs positioned beside the stage. Amplification and processing are handled by the manufacturer’s NXAMP range, enabling the Thomsun team to customise and finetune the system as a complete ecosystem.
“We chose the NEXO ID14s primarily for their compact size,” furthered Mohamad. “We wanted something that would blend into the décor while also giving powerful sound regardless of what they would be using it for. It’s a very unobtrusive cabinet.”
Zoning and day-to-day control are managed through a Yamaha DM3 mixer, which also serves the visiting DJs who connect directly into the system at weekends. The DM3 provides individual faders for inside and outside areas, as well as for the stage zone and the bar, allowing the staff to adjust levels quickly depending on the time of day or event format with minimal fuss. Thomsun provided training for the team to handle the basic functions, with any advanced adjustments carried out remotely via video support when needed.
Pasha recalls that once he handed over his requirements to the Thomsun team, “everything was smooth. Delivery and the audio setup all happened quickly. Within a week it was done.” Beyond the installation itself, he emphasises the importance of ongoing support, noting Thomsun’s team has remained available even outside office hours. “It’s not just installation, ongoing help and support is the most important thing. If I open 10 more restaurants, I would call someone back again because of the service provided, not just the product received.”
For Carnival, the change in sound quality has had an immediate impact. “You can’t even see the speakers anymore and still we get a great sound,” says Pasha. “Guests have been giving very positive feedback. Before we had old-style big speakers that didn’t look nice. Now the system blends in and performs perfectly.”
For Thomsun, the project has also opened the door to further work with Passion F&B Group, including a recent installation at Viva La Goa in Dubai Marina. Mohamad attributes this to both the client relationship and the backing received from NEXO themselves. “NEXO has a complete ecosystem – speakers, amplifiers and software – which gives us a lot of latitude to customise the sound. Their support has been fantastic and that makes it easier to deliver results.”
At Carnival, the system now matches the restaurant’s evolving identity. Whether delivering soft background ambience on weekdays or high-energy entertainment on Saturdays, the new installation reinforces what the venue has built its brand on – an experience driven as much by mood as by menu.
