Cinema installation specialist GFD Communications Ltd was responsible for installing sound systems into all 11 theatres and sourced the JBL and Crown units from Harman Pro UK. JBL Professional 3000 Series speakers were used in the smaller theatres, while 4000 Series speakers were installed in the four larger theatres. GFD also installed projectors, screens and automation systems, including computer touch screens to activate the projectors.
For more than 30 years GFD has been providing full design, supply and installation services to cinema owners throughout Ireland and now boasts more than 280 cinema installations to its credit. The company also has a hire department - Conference Services - that installs and operates AV equipment for conference organisers and corporate presentations.
Conor Anderson, GFD's managing director, says: "We recommend JBL speakers to all our cinema customers because, quite frankly, they are the best. The tonal quality you get from JBL far exceeds anything else on the market, which is why they have become industry standard for the cinema business."
JBL Professional developed the first true high-fidelity loudspeakers for cinema sound systems, says the company, with more than 70% of all cinemas world-wide now equipped with speaker products from the JBL Professional range.
The JBL systems at Movies@Swords are powered by rack-mounted Crown DSi Seriesamplifiers that incorporate on-board digital signal processing including crossovers, EQ filters, delay and output limiting.
"Over the years we have used many different amps but about 10 years ago we started using Crown," Anderson adds. "With hundreds of Crown amps now in daily use we find that annually there are very few failures - and reliability is a key requirement for our clients because 'the show must go on'. The new DSi amps are quick and easy to install as they come fitted with sockets that connect directly to other equipment in the sound rack via ready-made 15 pin VGA cables. This saves time when we're making up cables as they are virtually plug and play."
GFD has also equipped the complex with Dolby CPS650 processors, PLC Touch Screenautomation, stereo monitors and Mustang induction loops.
(Chris Henry)
