The East Coast counterpart to the company’s flagship Los Angeles venue, the iHeartRadio Theater in New York regularly hosts A-list artists, including the likes of Mary J Blige, Ed Sheeran, Muse and Blink-182. When the theatre’s sound system was up for renewal, it was decided to install a system on a par with the touring systems used by top performers

Accordingly, an L-Acoustics house loudspeaker system now serves the intimate 200-seat performance space.

With tickets restricted iHeart subscribers, bands’ fan clubs and other exclusive channels, shows are performed on a stage that’s barely a foot off the floor, and streamed live through the iHeartRadio app and more than 850 iHeartRadio stations throughout the US.

The L-Acoustics system was installed by See Factor, a New York rental and installed-sound provider specialising in live clubs and theatres. It comprises two hangs of three ARCS II speakers per side augmented by four KS28 subwoofers under the stage, all powered by three AVB-enabled LA12X amplified controllers. Three X15HiQ coaxial speakers add fill to the theatre’s raised VIP section.

Stage monitoring is delivered by eight X12 and four X15HiQ monitors, with a pair of SB18 subs. The X Series speakers are powered using a mix of LA8 and LA4X amplified controllers.

iHeart Technical Director, Stephen Wyker, says the previous sound system had been the theatre’s weak point since it opened in 2008: ‘When you look at the calibre of artists that perform here regularly, the sound system was not at that level,’ he admits. ‘Now, it’s like night and day. It’s amazing.’

Wyker previously guided the technology at Webster Hall, another New York music venue where an L-Acoustics Kara sound system met rider requirements for artists globally. He says there was never a doubt that L-Acoustics was destined for the iHeartRadio Theater eventually. ‘We wanted the performers and the audience to have the best sound experience possible, and now they do,’ he says. ‘The fidelity is incredible.’

The iHeartRadio Theater is not a typical live-music venue – it was designed from the start as a space to record and stream live shows. That meant the space needed to be an acoustically controlled environment.

‘It’s a pretty dead space, in order to control reflections and volume,’ Wyker explains. ‘So, the sound system has to be able to liven the sound up, and the ARCS II does that wonderfully. And the bass is fantastic. The ARCS II is full range, so we’d get plenty of low end from those alone. But when the KS28’s kick in, you can really feel the bass.

‘What’s really great is now we have a sound system that’s as good as what these artists play through at their own shows,’ he adds. ‘And it’s probably the same one they tour with.’