1 SOUND Inspires FUL Kyoto’s High-Definition ‘Sound Forest’

Cannon C8i, Special Walnut stain with Sandy Beige Grille

FUL Kyoto, a restaurant, bar, and lounge in the Kawaramachi district of Japan, has become known for its ability to offer an experience like no other. In addition to the venue’s unique collection of greenery from South and Central America, customers are surrounded by gentle sounds to create an extraordinary ambiance. FUL is a “Sound Forest” where you can savor natural wines and unique cocktails while immersing yourself in music that flows like forest rain. FUL’s “Sound Forest” concept was inspired by 1 SOUND’s American-made, premium loudspeakers. With cutting-edge, custom 1 SOUND speakers and a carefully curated selection of serene music from across the ages and around the world, guests are accompanied by the sounds of nature. The music fills the space evenly and due to 1 SOUND’s high fidelity quality, the sound does not interfere with conversations and maintains its sonic intelligibility.

“Sound forest” is the brainchild of multidisciplinary producer Tomoyuki Tanaka, better known as Fantastic Plastic Machine. As a DJ, he has performed at Coachella and the Reading & Leeds Festival in 1999. As a music producer, his songs are featured in an Austin Powers movie (1999), the British sitcom “Spaced” and recently, he earned acclaim as the music director for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. FUL uses Tanaka’s rich knowledge and industry connections to achieve kodawari (pursuit of perfection) in every aspect: music, interior, plants, food and drinks.

When Tanaka conceived the idea for this store, he consulted with Satoru 'Tocci' Tochibori, of Tokyo Sound System Laboratory, and came across 1 SOUND. GizaGiza Inc., who is the official 1 SOUND distributor in Japan, worked with Tomoyuki and TSSL to make custom 1 SOUND loudspeakers that would fit into the physical aesthetic of the sound forest concept. They ended up with ten custom wood finish loudspeakers, strategically installed in the ceilings by TSSL to bring his vision to life.

“The concept of ‘Sound Forest’ was born when the intelligent sound and craftsmanship of 1 SOUND was combined with the lushly planted interior of the store. Without 1 SOUND, this restaurant would not have been complete.” Explained Tomoyuki Tanaka, FUL’s producer.

The store features various custom 1 SOUND speakers to encapsulate the “Sound Forest”. Each with a special walnut stain and sandy beige grilles. Firstly, the C5i, a 5-inch Cannon coaxial that utilizes a low frequency driver with a 1-inch silk dome high frequency driver. The speaker enables high sound pressure levels, with improved sound quality, as well as consistency and durability over time. The enclosure also incorporates a rear-facing passive radiator for extended bass frequency response. Next, the C8i, a full-range, high-fidelity coaxial loudspeaker. This model utilizes an 8-inch driver with a proprietary high frequency element. It includes a 7-inch rear-facing passive radiator for extended low frequency. Notably, the speaker contains a bandwidth of 55 Hz - 18 kHz and a maximum SPL of 120 dB. Both the C5i’s and C8i’s were installed using L-Brackets and C-Clamp accessories. Finally, the WSUB45i, incorporated for the low frequency and was discreetly mounted to the ceiling using C-Clamps. This speaker is an ultra compact, outdoor rated, slim and a powerful lightweight subwoofer. This speaker trio combines effortlessly to produce the premium audio experience sought out to complete FUL’s vision.