The controversy surrounding the imminent silencing of Big Ben’s Bongs has prompted Martin Audio to propose a solution based on the use of an MLA sound system.
In a letter to the Speaker of the House of Commons, Rt Hon John Bercow MP, Martin Audio MD Dom Harter says, ‘we believe we have an innovative solution that can enable the bell sounds to emanate external to Big Ben while at the same time offering “rear rejection” so as to provide protection for the workers during the forthcoming refurbishments’.
The Great Bell has sounded on the hour for 157 years, but the bongs will sound for the final time at midday on Monday before being disconnected to allow the clock and surrounding tower to be restored, and also to protect workers from proximity to the sound of the bells over time.
Harter goes on to say: ‘One of the features of MLA is that we are able to steer sound accurately; in addition to this we are able to generate very high sound pressure levels in front of the loudspeakers whilst maintaining a dramatic reduction in sound behind them. This is unique to Martin Audio.
‘Therefore, theoretically, we could replace the bell over the four-year period with four hangs/stacks of our MLA units and generate the same kind of level and output as Big Ben by playing a recording which could be fired off on the hour by a computer all this whilst maintaining safe working levels around the clock tower.’
A response is awaited...
More: www.martin-audio.com
