The KiK Kunst im Keller (art in the cellar) cultural centre can be found in the Upper Austrian town of Ried. The managing association by the same name has earned an excellent reputation throughout the country with decades of dedicated cultural work. In addition to music, literature, theatre and cabaret events, KiK hosts several exhibitions of fine artists each year. A recent renovation and modernisation included upgrading the sound system.
As the venue’s entertainment program is extremely diverse, the sound system was required to be powerful, flexible and reliable. In response, Viennese company Pro Performance, which specialises in custom fixed-installation sound reinforcement solutions, has installed an Alcons Audio solution comprising two each of Alcons VR12 and VR5 loudspeakers, with a Sentinel10 Amplified Loudspeaker Controller to drive the system.
The VR12 is a compact 12-inch two-way multi-purpose loudspeaker intended for mobile applications and installations. Equipped with the company’s RBN601 pro-ribbon driver, VR12 is suited to applications that require high SPL and high-quality sound reproduction. It can be used as main PA, in A/V applications or as a powerful monitor system.
Boasting equal versatility, the VR5 is a small-format two-way loudspeaker designed specifically for close-field applications. The system offers the signature performance of Alcons’ larger systems in a small and unobtrusive design. The VR5’s HF section features a RBN202 pro-ribbon driver, while a custom-designed 5-inch Active Coil woofer provides ultra-low distortion LF reproduction.
‘KiK needed a sound system that can accommodate a wide range of applications,’ explains Wolfgang Sauter, owner of Pro Performance. ‘After all, the spectrum ranges from spoken word and cabaret to live musical performances covering anything from hard rock to EDM to folk music. Optimising the listening experience of the musicians and artists was just as important to the venue’s management as it was to enhance the audience’s perception. Since the room is not particularly large, they also requested a compact system.’
‘Besides all this, Alcons is known for its reliable and durable products in Austria,’ he adds. ‘This was exactly what the cultural association at KiK wanted: great sound from smoothly running loudspeakers of high quality. Alcons’ V-Series systems met the specifications precisely and were therefore both our and the customer’s first choice.’
‘Since the renovation two years ago, we have had the opportunity to try out different types of events and formats,’ says KiK association Chairman, Florian Bauböck. ‘We would particularly like to target a younger audience. The reason we opted for the Alcons systems was not only the sound quality. Rather, the complete package appealed to me right from the start.’
‘Even the finest system doesn’t work without appropriate acoustics. By working closely with Pro Performance, we were able to integrate acoustic measures directly into the new design of KiK,’ he continues. ‘Instead of being a compromise, the result was a holistic, individual solution that will henceforth help define the identity of KiK. So far, we’ve been able to convince both the audience and the musicians that we are an ideal platform for a variety of cultural events.’
Sauter extended the Alcons VR systems at KiK with a custom 8x 18-inch bass array that works with the pro-ribbons: ‘Alcons offers highest level resolution, clarity and dynamics,’ he says. ‘With a comprehensive acoustic solution, we were able to impressively highlight these qualities and open up new future prospects for KiK.’
