Founded in 1986, San Antonio’s Westover Hills Church now hosts one of the area’s largest congregations, offering multiple services, social groups and community services. The church’s 2,200-seat Worship Center opened its doors in 2014 and – while the congregation – hasn’t outgrown it yet, after a decade of use, its aging sound system was in need of attention.
‘We had been having some system failures, some amps blowing out, and it became more and more clear,’ says Technical Director, Carlos Peña. ‘The system had served its purpose but it was time for an update.’
The church called in 5 Words Media (5WM), a Phoenix-based group specialising in A/V systems design and installation for worship spaces. Working with DAS Audio’s VP of Sales & Business Development for Pro Sound, Michael Palmer, and the DAS Audio Application Engineering crew, a full audio makeover was devised, using DAS Audio’s new ARA Series of powered compact line arrays.
The upgrade also required ten Artec-506A active 6.5-inch two-way enclosures to be located beneath the stage lip to provide front fill, and at the outer wings of the audience seating to provide coverage to two outer shaded areas of the auditorium, with external processing handled by a DAS Audio Intregral-M88 Dante-enabled DSP. The system is remotely controlled and monitored via DAS Audio’s Alma ecosystem control software.
‘I’m really big on being able to manage everything from anywhere in the building,’ Peña says. ‘DAS Audio gave me that ability with its networking capabilities.’
Palmer and Peña give high marks to the 5 Words Media team for their work.
‘From the planning to the installation to commissioning the system, the 5 Words Media team have been such a pleasure to work with,’ says Peña ‘They’re consummate professionals, and the ARA systems were the perfect fit for this space. It’s really raised the bar for performance.
‘We absolutely love that we have such a full sounding PA in such a small footprint. The Sara system gives us clear, crisp highs, full midrange, and a robust low end with power to spare. We absolutely love this new system.’
