A critical factor for the choice of sound reinforcement products was the architectural structure of the church: it is an open space, 36 m wide and 16.5 m deep, excluding the choir and chapel. There are no installation points, and the perimeter walls are the only anchor points available.
Two RCF VSA2050 columns have been installed on the side walls, plus one VSA1250 near the altar, to reinforce the front rows. Such a small number of products allows the integral coverage of the large space with its 36m width, thanks to the VSA columns' deep throw and 130° horizontal coverage.
VSA speakers are designed for installation in acoustically challenging ambient spaces or in areas where particular architectural constraints exist.
A simple control mechanism allows the audio signal to be directed towards the listening area and avoids the dispersion of acoustic energy towards the ceiling or into empty zones; this ensures the removal of echoes and other effects that might compromise intelligibility.
Thanks to the compact size and low profile, the speakers have a discreet appearance that easily blends into the building's interior design. The VSA speakers installed in the Holy Spirit church have been painted with the standard colour, but RCF can supply speakers with personalized RAL tints, in order to minimize the aesthetic impact in any venue.
A second VSA1250 column is dedicated to the monitoring of the choir, and this is situated next to the altar. A two-way compact DM 41 speaker has been installed in the sacristy for monitoring purposes, and the small closed chapel next to the altar, measuring 7 x 6 metres, has been reinforced with a two-way slim-line CS3082 column speaker and the AM 1064 amplifier-mixer (60 W with three audio inputs).
The external part of the church is a vast yard without a porch, and for this area the P2110-T coaxial two-way speakers - with perforated aluminum front grille and water-repellent fabric backing - were chosen and installed on the external walls. These speakers meet the requirements of the IP 55 code against the ingress of liquids, solids and external agents. "We chose the P Series speakers because they are horn-loaded, so they guarantee efficiency and high directivity in an area as large as the external yard. They are also weatherproof," say RCF engineers that where involved in the project.
The Sassari-based Costec company was in charge of the installation of the sound reinforcement system in the church. The chairman Mr. Tonino Loi, has worked previously with RCF on delivering other notable projects on the island, including the fire-alarm system for the Brotzu hospital in the city of Cagliari in 2007. He reports that the installation and launch phases in Porto Torres were carried out rapidly and the customer was highly satisfied with the final results.
The church was inaugurated in June 2016, realizing a dream that the local community had for several decades. Around 1500 people participated in the dedication of the building.
(Jim Evans)
