Festspielhaus switches to Alcons Audio
- Details
The project to replace the ageing sound reinforcement system of the Festspielhaus had been underway since 2017. The German-based theatre consultancy Walter Kottke Ingenieure GmbH were commissioned to do the job. The specialist in charge, Joachim Lindemann, reports: "The system was not only outdated, but also yielded rather sub-optimal results.
“Due to its size and wall surfaces, the hall creates a reverberation of more than two seconds. Great for concert performances but very problematic for sound reinforcement of any kind. The more sound energy you release into the room, the more response you receive in return. Unless the throw is super directional, one will eventually lose control of the sound at some point.“
Lindemann suggested an Alcons QR24 modular line-source array column system for a listening test. While listening to it, Stefan Ibach, team leader audio and video technology at the Festspielhaus, "almost fell off his chair," the planner is pleased to report. "In fact, I've never heard anything quite like this in this room“, Ibach agrees.
During the summer break, two QR24 4x 6,5” (left / right) systems were installed, supplemented by a center cluster of 4 LR14 pro-ribbon line array systems. Three additional QR24 systems each (left / right) were added for the sound reinforcement of the two tiers. 6 double 5” SR9 complement the system for near field support.
An array of 4 BF362 MkII double 18” subwoofers provides for additional bass. All QR24 units were hidden behind a perforated metal panel in the proscenium. The installation was carried out by Salzbrenner Media.
"To acoustically compensate for the widely spaced proscenium towers, we additionally opted for a centre cluster to cover the floor in front of the stage." adds Stefan Ibach. "The subwoofers are also installed up there. On the stage edge we can add mobile SR9 near field loudspeakers."
Joachim Lindemann adds: "Thanks to their very favourable form factor, the QR24s could be installed in the proscenium without any difficulty. Installing line arrays instead was therefore never an option - for optical and acoustic reasons, because arrays were often unable to separate the individual zones in the hall and repeatedly emitted too much acoustic energy into the hall. And that's exactly what we were trying to avoid."
