The hall, which offers performances from a variety of genres, including classical music, opera, dance, pop, rock, jazz and family-oriented events, was long overdue for an upgrade. The existing system was installed back in 1989 when the concert hall opened. As a result, Stage Manager Henrik Torgersen began exploring options, ultimately contacting regional audio distributor Benum to assist him in the process.
"We began researching systems three years ago," Torgersen explains. "During that time we listened to demonstrations of many different systems. Last June Ronald and Kenneth from Benum visited - along with Adamson's Jochen Sommer - to demonstrate the new Adamson S10 system and our search was finally over. It was easily the best system we had heard."
The layout of the almost 1,300 capacity hall is a challenge as the sloped main floor seating and two levels of sloped balcony seating, which wrap around all three walls. This requires a lot of vertical coverage, as Torgersen wanted to reach every level with the main hangs. The new Adamson system consists of two line arrays, each made up of 14 S10 modules, hung to the left and right of the stage.
Twelve S119 subwoofers were utilized to reinforce low end. Two stacks of three subwoofers are ground stacked stage left and right. The remaining six modules are hung next to the main hangs in front-back-front (FBF) configuration to minimize onstage low frequency energy.
In order to ensure even coverage for every seat in the house a total of 10 Point 8 loudspeakers were distributed to cover the side, under-balcony seating areas. Eight Point Concentric 5 compact loudspeakers are deployed as lip-fills. Their position and alignment with the main system varies, depending on whether the movable stage extension is raised or lowered to allow for even more seating in the hall.
"Henrik was very thorough with his search for the perfect system for the room," adds Kenneth Vadset, Benum. "After much review he determined that the Adamson system would provide exactly what they need. We are delighted in the confidence they have shown in our company and are positive the Adamson system will exceed their expectations."
With the new system in place, Torgersen concludes, "Everyone who uses the system has nothing but good things to say and the feedback from the audience is the best we have had in several years. I am quite happy with the outcome; it was well worth the effort put forth to find the best system possible."
(Jim Evans)
