Exploring the geopolitical tensions of the Cold War, the Regan Vest in Skørping, Denmark, offers a detailed and informative look at a conflict that lasted more than four decades in a new exhibition space equipped with a comprehensive audio installation from Genelec.
‘We wanted to create an exhibition in which the audiovisual elements supported the storytelling in very subtle ways,’ says Tue Selmer Friborg from Taintec, the audiovisual consultant that worked on the project. ‘The sound had to offer guests an immersive element, whilst being unobtrusive, and at the same time we wanted to make an exhibition which – though complex – would require as little maintenance as possible.’
The museum comprises three parts – a 5,500sq-m secret bunker hidden 60m underground, which takes guests to the centre of the Cold War with its untouched artefacts and original décor, the master machinists house and the new exhibition space that tells the story of political tensions and how Denmark prepared for nuclear attack.
This is where the Genelec system is deployed, with Friborg specifying a solution that relies on 4000 Series loudspeakers and 7050 subwoofer. ‘I chose Genelec first and foremost for their sound quality,’ he says.
‘The inbuilt amplifiers made for a very simple installation, and the low power consumption provided by Genelec’s Intelligent Signal Sensing (ISS) technology means that I don’t need to bother with turning amplifiers on and off. I like to make systems with as few hardware types as possible because it makes setup time and maintenance much easier, and the client does not need to have a huge stock of different spares. Genelec’s commitment to sustainability also influenced my choice.’
The system employs seven 4030 loudspeakers, five 4020s, four 4010s and a 7050 subwoofer, all of which are responsible for providing the atmospheric soundscapes that bring the exhibition to life. As guests enter, quadrophonic surround sound is used to emphasise the opposing sides, and in another room, there’s a replica of a nuclear explosion – which features intense flashing lights, a blast from the Genelec loudspeakers and a Danish TV broadcast of the attack.
Additionally, vintage TVs and radios play historic clips from the era, which are delivered by Genelec 4010 loudspeakers. The system is controlled served by networked media players from BrightSign so that sound levels and playback triggers are handled via the network.
Placing guests in a bunker that was once used to protect the government from nuclear attack, the museum has redefined the boundaries of a traditional attraction – enhancing the experience further with a new exhibition space that relies on clear, intelligible audio.
More: www.genelec.com
