The main internal space is The Assembly Room - a highly flexible, 350-seat space that can be used to support almost any type of entertainment or event, from contemporary dance and drama to classical music. The space features a sprung wooden floor and is fully equipped with its own audio and lighting system. Systems installer Northern Stage Services Ltd elected to specify Tannoy's VNET range of networkable loudspeakers and subs throughout the main performance hall.
A total of eight Tannoy VNET 15 full-range speakers are flown across the main hall floor area, three down each side with a central enclosure at each end providing accurate and controlled SPL coverage throughout the space. The loudspeakers are mounted on three of the seven Metalworx trusses, spanning the width of the hall at equal distances, using the proprietary Tannoy flying hardware - allowing for precise alignment and orientation of the cabinets. The speakers were specified in white, rather than the standard black textured finish - to match the enclosures to the surrounding décor, making them less obtrusive and heard rather than seen.
Each VNET 15 enclosure features Tannoy's Dual Concentric point source technology in the shape of a 15" PowerDual drive unit - a loudspeaker that delivers "excellent phase coherence and even, controlled dispersion characteristics that mean the speakers can be mounted horizontally without compromising acoustic performance," say Tannoy.
Although the VNET 15s are full-range, Northern Stage installed a pair of Tannoy VNET 18DR subwoofers to to extend the frequency response down to 29Hz. Each VNET 18DR is mounted on a bespoke castor frame for easy movement around the hall to suit. The enclosures themselves each feature a high efficiency 458mm (18") drive unit with a 100mm (4") voice coil. This is mounted in a strong cabinet, in standard black finish this time, constructed from 18mm (5/8") multi-ply birch hardwood.
A pair of VNET SC1 digital processors provide full network DSP control of the system, allowing for remote optimisation and simple configuration of digital crossovers, EQ, delay and limiting functions. Northern Stage Services' Ted Ruddiman was extremely pleased with the end results, commenting: "We had no hesitation in specifying Tannoy VNET speakers for this demanding job, having installed them in many previous venues to great effect. The PowerDual driver on the VNET 15 is in a class of its own when it comes to clarity and controlled coverage in a compact box, and the fact they have integrated amplification and DSP makes them so quick and convenient to install. The other critical factor for us of course, is Tannoy's reliability factor - we can specify with confidence, do the job and get out without worrying about speaker failures and whatnot . . . though the five-year warranty offers peace of mind anyway!"
(Lee Baldock)
