The new system consists of Bose RoomMatch Progressive Directivity Array loudspeakers. Production World installed the system, which consists of three hangs - two outer arrays, each with four symmetrical array modules, and a centre array with two symmetrical array modules and two RMS215 subwoofers, all powered by four Bose PowerMatch PM8500N networked amplifiers. The system provides even, comprehensive coverage of the entire 400-seat half-round theatre, with seating on four tiers.
"They make the best use of the space they have there, so the tables on the first tier come right up to the edge of the stage," explains Kelly Kimo, vice president of Production World. "That was where the theatre had some of their biggest challenges with sound: the old sound system needed front fills on the lip of the stage to cover those front tables, but those seats wound up with very loud audio compared to other tables in the room."
Production World had previous experience with RoomMatch loudspeakers, in one of Edmonton's largest churches, and the result far exceeded expectations. So they called on Bose once again. With input from Bose's technical support team members using the Bose Modeler design software, Production World created and installed the new system. Now, it not only sounds fantastic but looks that way, too, without the visual intrusion of the front-fill speakers, whose function is now covered by the centre cluster above the stage, leaving sightlines clean and clear.
The new system has brought with it another benefit: certain audience members' hearing aids were impacted and overdriven by the previous PA system's sound. Now, says Kimo, the even and smooth coverage that the RoomMatch system delivers has made their experience markedly better. "There's no longer a sharp boost in certain midrange frequencies that could really be annoying to hearing-aid users," he says. "This system works for everyone and gives them all a great theatre experience every time."
(Jim Evans)
