In 1984, the pier was purchased by The Noble Organization, which has invested over £30 million in its restoration. Recently, in March 2003 an arson attack gutted most of the pavilion, followed by a smaller fire in May, which caused minor damage to the concert hall and the Ghost Train ride, which housed the audio amplification system. Brighton-based audio specialists MBI installed the original system, and has now been called upon to design and install the new one. After evaluating a number of all-weather loudspeakers, MBI director John Bellingham opted to install ten pairs of QSC's AcousticDesign AD-S82s providing sound for the rides and attractions.
"We've been using QSC amplifiers for several years, and they're the most reliable power amps we've ever used. We felt confident their loudspeakers would carry the same level of quality, and we've been impressed thus far." Belllingham explained.
The speakers feature QSC's advanced directivity rotatable waveguide. The AD-S82 is a full range, surface mount loudspeaker with contemporary styling and is ideal for multiple applications. Its weather-resistant enclosure made it the ideal choice for Brighton's ocean-whipped environs. Twelve QSC RMX 2450 amplifiers have been installed to power the loudspeakers, with all speaker feeds provided through armoured cable runs underneath the pier.
(Sarah Rushton-Read)
