Hosting touring musicals, dance productions, comedy and drama, the Theatre Royal Plymouth (TRP) recently followed the installation of EM Acoustics loudspeaker systems its the 200-seat Drum Theatre and 50-seat Lab. Following suite in the 1,300-capacity Lyric Theatre (which can be reduced to 800 through the adjustment of a unique moving roof) replacing a 30-year-old sound system with an EM Reference Series system.

‘I’ve been using EM products for years across all the venues in the theatre,’ says Head of Sound Dan Mitcham. ‘We’ve always had a great relationship with them, and the upgrade to EM for the Lyric just made sense – we knew what the products were capable of.

‘The old system had been in place since the theatre opened, and while it served us well, it was outdated,’ he continues. ‘Our CEO James MacKenzie-Blackman - is committed to investing in the theatre and helped the project gain momentum after hearing a production through EM Acoustics loudspeakers a few years ago.’

Opened in 1982, the venue is known for its distinctive architecture, which also presents challenges to sound reinforcement. Accordingly, the Lyric auditorium presented its own to the in-house technical team.

The venue’s irregular shape, combined with the ability to alter the ceiling height, meant that achieving uniform sound coverage across the space required careful planning. ‘The Lyric has a really unusual auditorium shape, with a moving roof and a plenum area that partially blocks the left part of the main PA from certain seats in the stalls,’ Mitcham elaborates. ‘Bur we knew EM would be able to solve these challenges effectively.’

The team devised a configuration to ensure even coverage throughout the auditorium, regardless of seating position. The main PA on the proscenium employs EM Acoustic’s flagship Reference Series with R10 loudspeakers placed on the left and right sides across all three levels, complemented by a centre cluster of R8s with one unit per level.

For low-frequency support, S18 subwoofers are positioned on either side of the stage, while pairs of S15 loudspeakers ensure additional coverage in the circle and upper levels. To address more focused audio needs, pairs of EMS81X loudspeakers are used as side fills in the circle and upper levels, while EMS61s and EMS51s serve as delays and fills across the stalls, circle and upper circle. Four MC15 floor monitors, plus four EMS81X spot speakers for special effects complete the system.

Powering this set-up are five DQ10 and five DQ6 amplifiers, networked via Dante. ‘The fact that the EM amplifiers are Dante-enabled is a great advantage,’ Mitcham says. ‘We want to establish a full-venue network infrastructure going forward, so this gives us a truly future-proofed solution – something we can rely on for years to come.

‘The sound is incredible and so transparent. It sounds fantastic straight out of the box,’ Mitcham reports. ‘We’ve had minimal need for EQ adjustments for the physical system element, meaning we can spend more time refining the performance characteristics, enhancing what the audience hears, so it’s made our jobs much easier.’

The flexibility gained from a full EM Acoustics installation has also proven beneficial to the stages throughout the venue: ‘We’re now fully EM across all three, and the flexibility is a real asset,’ Mitcham says. ‘Any loudspeaker from any of our stages can be used in any other space, which has been invaluable for us. It gives us great adaptability and continuity.’

The response from visiting production teams and engineers has been overwhelmingly positive, with many expressing their appreciation for the quality of sound and ease of integration. ‘Touring engineers love it,’ Mitcham confirms. ‘The fact that it’s Dante-enabled means they don’t have to worry about complex set-ups – they just plug into the network and get to work. Touring companies appreciate the consistency, and designers know they’re working with something that sounds brilliant every time.’

The upgrade has not only solved the acoustic challenges posed by the venue’s design but also enhanced the overall sound experience for both audiences and performers. ‘We’re confident that this upgrade will serve us well for years to come,’ Mitcham says. ‘We’re proud to be a full EM Acoustics venue. Frankly, the system is audibly amazing.’

More: www.emacoustics.co.uk