Luxury Indoor-Outdoor Entertainment AV System — Malabar Hill, Mumbai
Malabar Hill, Mumbai
The Client’s Vision
This Malabar Hill residence was designed as a refined entertainment environment where the client could host private parties, business meetings, and relaxed family gatherings without disturbing the beauty of the interiors. The space already featured antique artifacts, expensive paintings, and carefully curated décor, so the AV design had to stay completely invisible while still delivering premium performance. The client wanted the house to feel elegant and timeless, not technical or overdesigned.
The property was divided into two major zones: an indoor entertainment area and a large outdoor garden-bar zone. Inside, the brief called for a high-quality surround system that could serve cinema, music, and social use with equal ease. Outside, the requirement was for open-air music coverage that could blend with the landscape and bar area while still being powerful and clear. Most importantly, both zones had to work together as one integrated system, allowing the client to play the same music across both areas or separate them independently depending on the occasion.
Design Challenge
The Design Challenge
The biggest challenge was achieving high-performance AV without affecting the visual character of the home. Ceiling provisions had to be used for speakers, projector, and screen, while all electronics had to remain hidden in the indoor area. The system also had to perform well in two very different acoustic environments: a controlled indoor entertainment space and a large outdoor garden/bar setting. The solution needed to preserve the décor, support multi-zone operation, and remain simple to control through automation.
Indoor Home Theatre
Indoor Home Theatre
The indoor area was designed as a discreet 5.2 home theatre that could handle both movies and music while staying completely in harmony with the refined interiors. Ceiling speakers were used to avoid visual clutter, and dual subwoofers were added to give the room proper low-frequency weight without compromising elegance. The projector and screen were also concealed in the ceiling, allowing the room to transform into a theatre only when required.
Speaker System
The Speaker System
Bowers & Wilkins CCM 7.3 Internally Angled In-Ceiling Speakers
These speakers were selected to deliver focused front-channel performance while remaining fully hidden within the ceiling. Their internally angled design helps direct sound toward the listening position, which improves dialogue clarity and front-stage imaging in a luxury space where wall-mounted speakers were not acceptable. They are ideal for a room where architectural purity mattered as much as sound quality.
Bowers & Wilkins CCM 662 In-Ceiling Speakers
These speakers were used for the surround channels to create a smooth and enveloping sound field without adding any visual distraction. Their discreet ceiling installation allowed the room to maintain its premium interior finish while still delivering detailed ambient effects for cinema and music playback. This made them a perfect fit for a sophisticated entertainment area.
Bowers & Wilkins PV1 D Active Subwoofers
Two PV1 D subwoofers were added to provide deep, controlled bass for both movie playback and music sessions. Their compact form and powerful performance made them suitable for a high-end interior where traditional large subwoofers would have looked out of place. The dual-sub configuration also helped achieve more even bass distribution across the room.
Electronics
Electronics
Yamaha AV Receiver RX-A3020
This receiver formed the heart of the indoor system, handling surround processing and source switching with reliability and precision. It was well suited to the multi-purpose nature of the room, providing strong performance for both cinema and music while keeping operation simple for the client. Yamaha’s processing and calibration tools helped the system adapt to the room’s acoustics effectively.
JVC DLA-NZ700 Projector
The projector was chosen for its high-quality image performance and ability to deliver a premium cinematic experience inside a refined living space. It was integrated into the ceiling with a Future Automation projector lift so it could disappear when not in use. This preserved the room’s elegance while allowing the client to enjoy a proper large-screen theatre experience whenever needed.
Elite In-Ceiling Screen 135″
The 135-inch screen was installed in the ceiling to maintain the clean interior aesthetic. When deployed, it gave the room a true cinematic scale, but when retracted, the room remained visually untouched. This approach aligned perfectly with the client’s desire for hidden technology and design purity.
Indoor Home Theatre · Full Specification
Indoor Home Theatre Specifications at a Glance
| Configuration | 7.2 Home Theatre |
| Room Type | Indoor entertainment area |
| Front Speakers (LCR) | Bowers & Wilkins CCM 7.3 x 3No. United Kingdom |
| Surround Speakers | Bowers & Wilkins CCM 662 United Kingdom |
| Subwoofers | Bowers & Wilkins PV1 D x 2No. United Kingdom |
| Audio Video Receiver | Yamaha Aventage RX-A3020 Japan |
| Projector | JVC DLA-NZ700 4K D-ILA Japan |
| Projector Lift | Future Automation motorised lift USA |
| Screen | Elite Screen 135″ in-ceiling screen USA |
| Blu-ray Player | OPPO BDP-103EU USA |
| Speaker & HDMI Cables | Profigold Netherlands |
| Home Automation | Crestron USA |
Outdoor Audio System
Outdoor Audio System
The outdoor area covered the garden and bar, so the system needed to be powerful enough for open-air listening but still elegant enough to blend into the landscape. The design had to ensure music coverage across a large area without sound becoming harsh or uneven. At the same time, the client wanted the outdoor zone to integrate with the indoor system so the entire entertainment space could operate as one seamless audio experience.
Speaker System
The Speaker System
Jamo Rock Speakers
These four speakers were placed to blend naturally with the garden environment while providing full-range sound outdoors. Their stone-like form made them ideal for landscape integration, because they did not interrupt the visual beauty of the outdoor setting. They offered reliable coverage and a discreet appearance, which was essential for this project.
Bowers & Wilkins AM-1 Outdoor Speakers
The four AM-1 speakers were used in the bar/outdoor zones where refined sound quality was needed along with weather resistance. Their compact and elegant design made them suitable for premium outdoor use, while their tonal balance helped music sound clear and enjoyable across the open space. They worked well as part of a luxury environment where aesthetics mattered as much as durability.
Bryston 9BSST Power Amplifiers
Two Bryston 9BSST amplifiers were used to drive the outdoor system with power and control. They were processed through the Yamaha RX-A3020, which allowed the outdoor audio to remain integrated with the indoor system. This created a flexible setup where the client could play the same music everywhere or separate zones as needed for different gatherings.
Outdoor Audio · Full Specification
Outdoor Audio Specifications at a Glance
| Configuration | Outdoor music system |
| Room Type | Garden and bar area |
| Landscape Speakers | Jamo Rock Speakers x 4. Denmark |
| Outdoor Speakers | Bowers & Wilkins AM-1 x 4 United Kingdom |
| Power Amplifiers | Bryston 9BSST x 2No. Canada |
| Speaker Cables | Profigold Netherlands |
| Home Automation | Crestron USA |
Home Automation
Crestron Control
Crestron automation was used to manage AV, lighting, and AC control across the property. This gave the client a simple and elegant way to operate the system without dealing with multiple remotes or visible controls. It also helped maintain the clean architectural feel of the residence while making the entire entertainment experience effortless.
Crestron AV, Light and AC Control
The system unified the indoor and outdoor zones so the client could manage music, video, lighting scenes, and climate control from a central interface. Motion sensors, smart switches, and touchpads made the property feel intuitive and modern without drawing attention to the technology. This was especially important in a home where the décor had to remain the hero.
Overall Project · Full Specification
Project Specifications at a Glance
| Project Location | Malabar Hill, Mumbai |
| Project Type | Indoor and Outdoor Luxury Entertainment System |
| Completion | November 2014 |
| Total Investment | ₹34.5 Lakh |
| Execution Time | 5 Months |
| Key Requirement | Hidden AV with décor-friendly integration |
| Control System | Crestron automation |
| Main Audio Brands | Bowers & Wilkins, Jamo, Bryston, Yamaha |
Planning a Similar Project?
If you are planning a luxury entertainment space in Mumbai, Pune, or anywhere across India, Sound Innovators can design a system that delivers premium performance without disturbing your interiors. From hidden home theatres to outdoor music zones and full-house automation, we create solutions that blend technology with architecture in a refined and practical way.
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