Located on the new Jeddah Waterfront along the Red Sea, Shangri-La Jeddah set out to pair five-star hospitality with a technology backbone that matches its architecture and service. To achieve this, the property engaged Halwani Audio Visual (HAV)—HARMAN Professional Solutions’ exclusive distributor in Saudi Arabia—to design and deliver a comprehensive audio system spanning public areas, restaurants, suites, and a showcase ballroom.

The Shangri-La Main Ballroom—described as one of Jeddah’s most luxurious waterfront venues—served as the project’s technical centerpiece. HAV equipped the ceiling with 96 JBL Control 300-Series speakers, combining Control 322C mains with Control 312CS ceiling subwoofers for headroom and low-frequency support. Power comes from Crown XLS DriveCore amplifiers, while BSS processors handle DSP and matrixing. To accommodate multiple stage orientations, JBL AE Expansion Series loudspeakers provide left/right coverage options without compromising uniform audience experience. The result is a room that can pivot confidently from wedding receptions to corporate galas and live performances.

the six Shangri-la signature venues

Beyond the ballroom, HAV delivered custom audio across six signature dining venues, calibrating coverage, directivity, and control to the function and feel of each space. In the Capo front lobby, JBL CBT 70J-1 column arrays and Control C26T ceiling speakers create a refined, intelligible welcome indoors, while JBL AWC 62 loudspeakers extend consistent tonality to the outdoor terrace. This combination keeps background music articulate at low levels and maintains the brand’s calm, premium ambience from the entry sequence onward.
At Niyyali, with panoramic Red Sea views, HAV specified a hospitality-friendly mix of JBL Control 28-1L, Control C26T, and Control 19CS loudspeakers, supported by Crown amplification and BSS DSP. This palette supports daytime dining and evening service alike—warm, even coverage that sits beneath conversation yet has the bandwidth and headroom for special activations when the venue demands it.
The Kaia Club system is purpose-built for outdoor, DJ-forward energy while respecting neighboring areas. Here HAV deployed weatherized JBL Control 31WH, JBL AWC 15LF, and JBL Control 28-1L loudspeakers to deliver punch and clarity in the open air. Placement, aiming, and processing keep sound where it belongs: lively on the terrace without unnecessary spill.
In Waterfront Kitchen, the audio solution doubles as a design feature. JBL CRV loudspeakers are arranged in a circular “lifebuoy” motif beneath a fishnet ceiling, with JBL Control 19CS subwoofers concealed above. System management again uses Crown XLS amplification with BSS processing, preserving the common backbone while allowing the space to present its own visual identity.
Crucially, all of these zones operate on a centralized control and processing layer. With BSS handling DSP and matrixing, staff can route program material, manage microphones, and apply presets that correspond to daily use cases and events—streamlining operations and improving response times for the hotel team. Because the loudspeakers, amplifiers, and processing share a common HARMAN lineage, the property benefits from tonal consistency, straightforward maintenance, and a clear path for future updates.
According to the case study, the HARMAN-based integration “elevated Shangri-La Jeddah’s sensory experience,” aligning with the hotel’s world-class design and service while delivering pristine sound quality in both social and private spaces. The project also overcame challenges stemming from a previous integrator; with HAV’s expertise and HARMAN’s support, the final delivery met expectations and set the tone for ongoing collaboration with the hotel.
The client’s sentiment is captured in a statement from Bassam Halwani, CEO of HAV, who notes that HARMAN’s portfolio enabled a sophisticated system that complements the hotel’s luxurious atmosphere and “provid[es] clear, high-quality sound throughout the hotel.” This endorsement underscores the project’s twin priorities: guest comfort and operational confidence.
For hospitality brands, audio is a core part of the experience: it shapes first impressions, sustains ambience, and determines how effortlessly a property can host events of different scales. At Shangri-La Jeddah, HAV’s use of an end-to-end HARMAN ecosystem demonstrates how a consistent technical foundation can remain largely invisible to guests while giving staff the tools to run the building day in and day out. From a 96-loudspeaker ballroom grid to weatherized club systems and design-forward restaurant installs, the project shows how detailed engineering choices add up to a single, cohesive sonic identity.

the outcome and the client response

According to the case study, the HARMAN-based integration “elevated Shangri-La Jeddah’s sensory experience,” aligning with the Shangri-La hotel’s world-class design and service while delivering pristine sound quality in both social and private spaces. The project also overcame challenges stemming from a previous integrator; with HAV’s expertise and HARMAN’s support, the final delivery met expectations and set the tone for ongoing collaboration with the hotel.
The client’s sentiment is captured in a statement from Bassam Halwani, CEO of HAV, who notes that HARMAN’s portfolio enabled a sophisticated system that complements the hotel’s luxurious atmosphere and “provid[es] clear, high-quality sound throughout the hotel.” This endorsement underscores the project’s twin priorities: guest comfort and operational confidence.
For hospitality brands, audio is a core part of the experience: it shapes first impressions, sustains ambience, and determines how effortlessly a property can host events of different scales. At Shangri-La Jeddah, HAV’s use of an end-to-end HARMAN ecosystem demonstrates how a consistent technical foundation can remain largely invisible to guests while giving staff the tools to run the building day in and day out. From a 96-loudspeaker ballroom grid to weatherized club systems and design-forward restaurant installs, the project shows how detailed engineering choices add up to a single, cohesive sonic identity.