As well as the animal experiences, the zoo puts on a full calendar of events throughout the year, especially over the summer, half term and Christmas holiday seasons. 2016's pre-Christmas events included a fabulous light show, which required a high-quality sound system to add atmosphere and thrill the crowds.
Local audio integrator, Marks Tey Radio, has worked with the zoo over many years to enhance the visitor experience using audio. As a relatively new Bose Pro Partner, it has only recently been able to offer Bose products to its customers, and this was an ideal opportunity to introduce Bose to the zoo environment. Working with Bose engineers, Marks Tey designed a solution using eight Bose Panaray 402 IV loudspeakers configured as 100v line and powered by a Bose PowerMatch 8500N amplifier. For major events, Marks Tey has provided additional bass support from four Bose 302 bass arrays that it has in its dry hire stock.
The Panaray 402 speakers are installed at high level, tilted forward to cover an area of around 3,000 square metres including the main entrance, Safari play area and two terraces where the light show takes place. As well as being used to enhance the light show extravaganza, the speakers were also brought into play during the arrival of Santa Claus, and a magnificent Christmas party, and can also be used as a vocal PA system for events and general announcements at the entrance to the park.
Marks Tey Radio has also supplied two Bose F1 Model 812 flexible array speakers for the theatre, installed in time for the 2016 Christmas pantomime, Puss in Boots.
According to Ben Fitch of Marks Tey Radio, the Bose speakers offer a high-quality solution for a wide range of events. "We worked hard with the zoo to ensure that the speakers are installed discreetly but positioned to give the best coverage, some on existing walls and others on custom built posts. The result is good even sound coverage over the entire area, and the additional bass support is only really required for events that attract a mass audience. The Bose PowerMatch amplifier that we have chosen also allows us to expand the system in the future, as we have so far only utilised four of the eight available channels."
Jez Smith of Colchester Zoo is also very happy with the solution. "We are delighted with the result. The sound quality is excellent and really delivers to totally enhance our visitors' experience."
(Jim Evans)
