After twenty years of faithful service, the legendary Funktion-One soundsystem in Berghain’s main room has been replaced. This news follows a similar overhaul made in 2017 to Panorama Bar’s soundsystem. Though the effects of the renovations are undisputed, Berghain regulars have taken to Reddit to lament the loss of the bass-heavy atmosphere. This is despite the fact that the system has only ever run at 10-20% of its capacity. On the Beating Travel suggests that if run any higher, the sound system would “literally pummel the dancefloor into physical submission.”
The previous setup was composed of four Funktion-One Dance Stacks, a Double Infrahorn, and two Resolution-2s for monitoring. Berghain’s massive main room with an 18-meter ceiling presented immense acoustic challenges that the earlier sound system had managed to overcome. However, after 20 years of service, it was evident the system had been worn down and needed to be replaced.
Though the new sound system hasn’t been disclosed, one can be assured it was done with as much care and attention as the 2017 refurbishment of Panorama Bar. Company owner Peter Studt overhauled the Panorama Bar’s soundsystem using a 4-point line-array system with six subwoofers. The system was uniquely designed to adapt to the small size, acoustically reflective glass, concrete surfaces, and floor plan of Panorama Bar.
By contrast, Berghain’s replacement system which was conducted by an unnamed company lacks the capacity for the same body-shifting bass that was present before. Nonetheless, the news of the upgrades guarantees that Berghain isn’t going anywhere, despite rumours of its closure earlier this year.
Tibor Heskett, Mixmag’s Digital Intern, reveals that although regulars to the techno club have bemoaned its sound system revamp, they should rest assured that the overhaul puts to bed any doubts of the iconic venue shutting down in the near future
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