The QM2 measures 1,132ft from stern to bow, some 113 feet longer than the original Queen Mary, and holds 2,620 passengers and 1,253 crew members when fully loaded. The distributed, exterior sound system called for high-fidelity audio to match the ship's lofty standard of excellence. In addition, any outdoor/exterior deck loudspeakers would have to withstand year-round exposure from the sun, sky and seven seas. For nearly a decade, Technomad's weather-resistant line of loudspeakers remains the first choice for high-fidelity outdoor sound by nearly all cruise ship lines. Technomad's mil-spec construction is able to withstand salt spray, humidity, fog, rain, penetrating tropical sun, unrelenting constant year-round use, and fast transitions between hot and cold temperatures.
HMS delivered and installed a wide array of Technomad WeatherTech models to provide coverage across different outdoor multi-zone listening areas on the Queen Mary 2. 38, ultra-compact, 2-way Technomad Vernal loudspeakers, 13 of the larger, two-way Technomad Vienna loudspeakers and eight, two-way Technomad NoHo loudspeakers are installed throughout QM2, including the palatial Pavilion Pool and Bar area, located on the upper-most deck of the vessel.
Additional foreground sound in the exterior entertainment areas is handled by a combination of four bi-amped, three-way Technomad Cairo loudspeakers, supported by two-way Technomad NoHo loudspeakers. Low-end sound reinforcement comes from four powerful Technomad Chicago sub-woofers, each of which features a 12" and 15" LF drivers. HMS and Cunard say that they chose Technomad loudspeakers because of the WeatherTech line's unique combination of incredible durability, wide dispersion area and high-fidelity sonic reproduction. They also highlighted Technomad's product warranty as an attractive option: 10 years cabinet, five years for external cabinet hardware and two years for electronic components.
All Technomad WeatherTech loudspeakers feature a four layer, acoustically transparent grill system that breaks up wind driven rain, sprayed water and liquids. Any water that does get onto the chemically treated drivers (speaker cones) simply rolls off without penetrating the drivers. For extreme weather conditions, Technomad WeatherTech loudspeakers also feature a watertight lid. With the lid attached, Technomad loudspeakers are the only off-the-shelf speaker system that meets Military-Specification 810F. Technomad loudspeakers have an ATA III rating, are splinter-proof and resistant to impact, chemical cleaners and even fire.
(Lee Baldock)
