The Osher Theater is the first in the history of BAMPFA that was designed and built from the outset to meet the highest technical standards for film showings. "Aside from the 10 percent of our film screenings that are silent, sound is a key component of the experience," says Larry Rinder, director of BAMPFA. "We wanted to have sound quality that was equal to our stringent standards for the visual component, as it is critical that the soundtrack be heard exactly as the film's creators intended. In that regard, we feel fortunate to have a state-of-the-art Meyer Sound cinema system in our theatre."
Rinder adds that the sonic experience was equally impressive for the inaugural public screening of Ingmar Bergman's The Seventh Seal as it was during the system's final tests, which included scenes from A Bridge of Spies. "It was incredible to hear everything from thunder to the most subtle dialogue with full impact and clarity, sounding exactly as it should," he says. "It made me realize how much this system will contribute to our programs for years to come."
The system comprises three Acheron 80 screen channel loudspeakers, seven X-800C cinema subwoofers, and 16 HMS-10 surround loudspeakers. A separate sound reinforcement system for speech and live music presentations consists of two CQ-1 loudspeakers and six MM-4XP self-powered loudspeakers, while a Galileo loudspeaker management system with three Galileo 616 processors provides system drive and optimization.
Audio for BAMPFA's 32-by-18-foot, exterior LED video screen is supplied by two CAL 96 column array loudspeakers with digital beam steering technology. Two portable 500-HP subwoofers are available as needed, and a Galileo loudspeaker management system with one Galileo 408 processor handles drive and control.
AV integrator for the BAMPFA project was Richmond, Calif.-based David Carroll Associates, with project management by Stewart Rosenthal, engineering by John Brenneis and Dennis Fortin, and design consultation by David Carroll. The initial scope of AV requirements was defined by New York-based theatrical design consultants Fisher Dachs Associates. Building design was by the New York-based architectural firm of Diller Scofidio + Renfro, with San Francisco-based firm EHDD serving as executive architect.
(Jim Evans)
