For over a decade, Ponyfish Island has been one of Melbourne’s most unique bar experiences. Surrounded by water on all sides, and hidden beneath Southbank’s Evan Walker Bridge, Ponyfish boasts a charming open-air space perched against the waterline of the Yarra River.
Taking its name from the elusory Ponyfish, an obscure creature apparently seen swimming in nearby waters, the venue was furnished with a nautical theme until just recently. Newly completed renovations have taken the bar in a more sophisticated direction, with a softer colour palette and an art direction heavily inspired by Palm Springs. Along with additional lounge areas, new lighting, and a host of other changes, comes a new venue sound system courtesy of Melbourne AV retailer Concert Audio Visual.
Eight MX801 High-Fidelity Weatherproof Loudspeakers from Quest Engineering were installed throughout the venue, delivering quality audio and ensuring adequate sonic coverage across the space. Concert AV’s managing director, Joe Sofo, outlines the reasoning behind his choice in the MX801-
“Ponyfish required a versatile system to cater for background and live music. A fully waterproof system to cater for Melbourne weather, while achieving seamless coverage throughout the odd-shaped Island and under bridge areas. Quest was the obvious choice here, meeting both the architectural requirements and budget, while also providing a smooth sound throughout the venue.”
The MX801 features a custom-designed 8” LF driver and a two-way, full-range system capable of delivering a very high SPL for its size. With an ultra-friendly mounting system and a refined appearance that helps blend the loudspeaker into any environment, Quest’s MX series has become a favourite of installers seeking to balance cost, performance, and ease of installation. Especially well-suited to those spaces exposed to the elements, the MX801 reveals its true potential when faced with the perils of Ponyfish.
Situated in the middle of the Yarra, the venue is constantly at risk of damage from saltwater and direct sunlight, with wild weather being all too common- occasionally flooding the over-water platform that the bar resides on. Weatherproofing is a must in this kind of environment, and thanks to the MX801’s sealed enclosure design and additional weather resistance connector covers (IPMX1), the loudspeaker system can be rated up to IP67- a rating sufficient to protect the speakers from large sprays of water or even temporary submersion.
Thanks to the quality of design behind Quest Engineering’s MX series, and skilful work from installer Concert AV, Ponyfish Island’s new lease on life now includes a sound system worthy of both its hardy nautical past and its bright sunny future. With positive feedback already flowing in from punters and staff alike, the system was recently put through its paces by internationally acclaimed house music DJ Dom Dolla, with fantastic results.
