AV Case Study: Kingpin Melbourne
Kingpin Melbourne Collins St. provides funlovers of all ages an escape from the ordinary. Converged Technology’s AV design elevates the experience and provides its client with the control it needs.
14 October 2026
Kingpin might have started corporate life as a high-energy reboot of a stale 10-pin bowling concept but now Kingpin also offers arcade games, karaoke, batting cages, AR darts and a lot more. It’s a fun palace for all ages.
The latest Kingpin occupies a huge subterranean space in prime downtown Collins Street, Melbourne. It’s a tech-led assault on all the senses – in a good way. And, it’s very Melbourne. Street art abounds, and the offering goes hard with its F&B – including a charcoal-fuelled Josper Grill from Spain.
MOULD BREAKING
This Kingpin Collins Street is the company’s levelled-up venue – a deliberate step forward that puts food and beverage at the very heart of the offering while still delivering a primo entertainment experience. Venue Manager Josh Hipolito says the venue was built on the core philosophy: ‘Escape Ordinary’.
From the outset, audio was never going to take a back seat. It had to perform at the same elevated level as the food, fitout, and attractions.
“We wanted the audio to match the quality of everything else in the venue,” says Josh.
Converged Technology responded with a large-scale Q-SYS deployment featuring premium Martin Audio loudspeakers in all the key feature zones.
SOUND ZONING LIKE A BOSS
With 3700sqm of varied spaces – from the main bar and dining area to bowling lanes, sports bar, karaoke rooms and event spaces – precise zoning was critical.
James Topp, Senior Sales Consultant at Converged Technology, explains that the system comprises more than 20 audio zones. Martin Audio speakers handle the high-impact feature areas, delivering the power, clarity and musicality required for DJ sets, live entertainment and high-energy nights, while Q-SYS manages distribution and control across the entire venue.
DAY TO NIGHT RHYTHMS
The audio system is backed by smart programming and easy control. Playlists and volume shift throughout the day to match the changing mood of the venue.
“Music affects our minds and bodies,” says Josh. “Higher BPM gets people moving. We guide guests from calm daytime family sessions through to high-energy Saturday nights.”
Crucially, staff can adjust levels per zone so the bowling area can be turned down while the main bar is turned up – without ever compromising the overall experience.
REFLECT REMOTE CONTROL
Underpinning the entire operation is Q-SYS Reflect – the remote monitoring and management platform that has become indispensable for both the venue team and Converged Technology.
Josh and his control iPad are inseparable. The custom Q-SYS UI presents the entire venue as an intuitive floor plan, allowing simple control of audio, displays, and sources across every zone.
When something needs attention, the diagnostics page built into the Q-SYS interface shows clear ‘traffic light’ red/green status indicators. Reflect then gives Converged’s team immediate remote visibility and the ability to reboot devices, apply firmware updates, or troubleshoot in real time.
ZONE TWEAKING ON THE FLY
As mentioned, Josh is rarely seen without his iPad, which serves as the command centre for the entire 3700sqm venue. Using the custom Q-SYS interface, he can fine-tune audio levels in any zone as he does his rounds. On a busy Saturday night, for example, he might dial back the volume slightly in the bowling lanes for a group wanting a more relaxed experience, while simultaneously lifting the energy in the main bar where the crowd is peaking. He can switch a display to the NBA in the shuffleboard area while offering AFL to the adjacent group. The system’s intuitive design and preset starting points ensure these real-time adjustments enhance the guest experience rather than creating chaos. “It’s so easy,” says Josh. “I can control every space from one device. It’s made managing a venue this complex feel straight forward.”
ONE PANE OF GLASS
The iPad interface is built for control but Q-SYS Reflect also makes troubleshooting easy for the venue.
“One of the biggest advantages is that when we call support, we already have the information in front of us,” says Hipolito. “We’re not just saying ‘something’s not working’, we can tell them exactly where and when it happened.”
Of course James Topp and the Converged team, have access to the same information and can provide preventative maintenance, firmware upgrades and remote rebooting of the gear. Reflect has transformed it’s support capability:
“We simply couldn’t deliver the level of service this venue demands without Reflect,” James says. “It’s our primary tool for remote administration across the cores, Q-SYS amplifiers, and the wider networked system.”
MARTIN IN THE MOMENT
In the high-impact zones, the choice of Martin Audio loudspeakers has proven its worth. Converged organised a shootout for the client, providing a direct comparison between the ‘standard’ audio design and the premium. The difference was clear to all, and the budget was found.
The premium Martin Audio CDD Series enclosures deliver the headroom, fidelity and even coverage demanded by the venue’s entertainment program while maintaining the ‘premium but never clinical’ tone the team was chasing.
ESCAPE ORDINARY, DELIVERED
From the grand illuminated staircase to the open kitchen and multiple entertainment zones, Kingpin Collins Street has created a genuine destination venue for Melbourne. The combination of a powerful, flexible Q-SYS platform with Reflect remote management and premium Martin Audio loudspeakers in the right places has given the team the tools to deliver a consistent, high-quality experience, whether it’s a relaxed family afternoon or a pumping Saturday night.
As Josh puts it: “No one comes to Kingpin to have a bad time.”
Converged Technology: convergedtechnology.com.au
TAG (Q-SYS, Martin Audio): tag.com.au
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