SFL Group chose the system because, according to technical director Mark Payne, "It presents a significant saving for the customer as the boxes don't have fixed touring rigging, which isn't necessary in a fixed installation. As an installation product it looks really neat; I'm very pleased with it and so is the customer, it sounds absolutely phenomenal.
"Being a bi-amped product, KARAi works really well for this installation because it has loads of high frequency headroom, so even when the box is pushed hard it maintains a high degree of clarity. Jesus House is within the contemporary worship/gospel tradition, so their music is effectively high energy, and they need a concert-orientated system that keeps up with what they want to achieve in terms of sound pressure levels."
The building - a warehouse conversion - has an audience area of 25m wide by area 60m deep, covered by a right/left system of six KARAis per side, powered by two LA8 amplified controllers, one for each hang. Four SB18is subwoofers per side are built into the stage, not to obscure the congregation perspective. Two12XTi coaxials act as front- fill for the KARAi system, and three further 12XTis are flown at the back of the venue to cover a small balcony.
"It's a very efficient system," says Payne. "It has a huge amount of bass and high frequency headroom for the client's current requirements, but they're a fast growing organisation and see themselves in this venue for five years maximum, so we needed a product that could be scaled up when necessary. KARAi is also at the beginning of its lifespan, so its longevity was really important in the decision making process."
Ayo Olunloyo, head of media at Jesus House adds: "After a visit to L-Acoustics in Marcoussis, Jesus House was delighted to buy into the impressive history and culture of 'L- Acoustics excellence'."
(Jim Evans)
