Sound in Conversation with Heritage: Sabha School, Bengaluru

Ansata, d&b audiotechnik, and Spottune bring modern sound to a restored 19th-century cultural landmark

Setting the Scene

In Bengaluru’s Ulsoor, a 160-year-old colonial-era school has been reborn as Sabha, a cultural haven where heritage, art, and community meet. Once home to the Chaturveda Siddhanta Sabha (CVS) School, established in 1873 by philanthropist Dharmarathnakara Rai Bahadur Arcot Narrainswamy Mudaliar, the site now stands as a living symbol of adaptive reuse, preserving the past while embracing the present.

Restored by the Ammini Trust, founded by Hema and Ravichandar, Sabha’s transformation was guided by a mission to create inclusive, accessible spaces for dialogue, creativity, and learning. The restored campus now hosts exhibitions, performances, workshops, and free weekend art classes for children, carrying forward the spirit of education and empowerment that defined Mudaliar’s original vision.

To complement the architecture’s historic charm with an equally refined sound experience, Ansata designed and supplied a professional audio system that merges d&b audiotechnik’s performance precision with Spottune’s wireless audio flexibility, ensuring that sound in Sabha feels as authentic as its heritage.

The Challenge

The architectural restoration of Sabha presented a delicate balance: integrating modern technology without compromising the historic aesthetic. The spaces, including a performance block, gallery, and outdoor courtyard required audio solutions that could handle both spoken word and live performance while remaining discreet, flexible, and acoustically balanced.

The team needed to achieve:

Even & natural coverage across multiple spaces.
Discreet installations preserving architectural integrity.
A system scalable for events ranging from intimate discussions to performances.
Wireless connectivity in areas where cabling was impractical.

The Solution

Ansata, exclusive distributor for d&b audiotechnik and Spottune in India, crafted a hybrid sound ecosystem that respected Sabha’s heritage while enhancing its functionality as a 21st-century cultural venue.

At the heart of the main performance and exhibition spaces, d&b audiotechnik loudspeakers deliver articulate, high-definition sound. Yi10P loudspeakers handle main reinforcement with precise directivity and warmth, while E8 loudspeakers ensure balanced fill coverage. Low-end extension comes from Bi6-SUB subwoofers, adding depth for live performances and multimedia art installations.

The system is powered by d&b 40D amplifiers, providing DSP control and reliable performance in a compact form factor, ideal for the hall’s acoustic geometry and architectural constraints.

Spottune

In the gallery and outdoor courtyard areas, Spottune’s wireless audio system extends sound coverage seamlessly. The Spottune Omni speakers and Spottune Sub subwoofers, powered by the Spottune Stream, provide evenly distributed, immersive sound while maintaining architectural cleanliness, all connected wirelessly to reduce installation impact on the restored structure.

“Sabha represents how technology can enhance heritage without overpowering it.” said a representative from Ansata. “The combination of d&b audiotechnik and Spottune allowed us to create an environment where every performance, every conversation, and every visitor feels connected through sound.”

The Result

The integration of d&b audiotechnik and Spottune systems has transformed Sabha into a space where heritage resonates through modern design. Performers enjoy clear, natural sound; visitors experience music and dialogue that feel intimate yet immersive; and the architecture itself remains untouched by visual clutter.

The project demonstrates how adaptive reuse and modern sound design can coexist, preserving legacy while enabling new possibilities for performance and education.

Today, Sabha stands not only as a restored monument but as a living, listening space, one that bridges centuries through clarity, warmth, and purpose.