Working in collaboration with visual integration company AVI-SPL and acoustical consultant Akustiks, the world-renowned David Geffen Hall at the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts in Manhattan has completed a modernisation programme that included its sound reinforcement systems.
The project included an extensive redesign of audiovisual systems, acoustical systems and major infrastructure, with AVI-SPL responsible for the PA and distributed audio, cinema systems and LED displays. Having worked with EAW for many years, Akustiks Senior Consultant Sam Brandt oversaw the installation of 18 Anna ADAPTive Loudspeakers, six AC6 ADAPTive Column Loudspeakers and four Otto Subwoofers.
Akustiks and AVI-SPL were confident that EAW’s ADAPTive technology was the best fit for the Wu Tsai Theater at David Geffen Hall. ADAPTive systems act as one acoustic source that can electronically define vertical coverage using software. This allows the system to be reconfigured without physically moving or reconfiguring the arrays, making its flexibility perfect for the diverse range of applications hosted at the venue – which is the home of the New York Philharmonic and host to a diverse array of music and performance.
‘An illustrious venue like the Wu Tsai Theater deserves a sound system that measures up,’ says EAW President, TJ Smith. ‘ADAPTive products deliver superior sound quality for this state-of-the-art hall.’
According to AVI-SPL Design Engineer Ross Moretzsky, the Anna line array and Otto Subwoofers were integral to the project: ‘EAW’s Anna offers a powerful system for highly amplified events,’ he says. ‘The ability to electronically direct the audio with precision ensures even, coherent sound coverage for the designated listening area.’
AC6 column loudspeakers were added to the system as fill speakers.
‘The theatre was designed with optimal sight lines in mind, and ADAPTive fits right in,’ says Smith. ‘The clean, straight-hang design minimises visual distraction and aids in creating an intimate relationship between audiences and performers.’
In addition to the loudspeakers and subs, EAW’s Resolution Software was used in the commissioning process in order to build a 3D model of the system using CAD files. This allowed precise coordination of loudspeaker placement and integration with other technical teams, ensuring the best possible sonic performance and efficient use of space.
The completed audiovisual system has been met with widespread acclaim. ‘The feedback from everyone, including the Lincoln Center and David Geffen Hall teams, has been overwhelmingly positive,’ Moretzsky reports. ‘The improved audiovisual experience has been noted by many, enhancing the hall’s reputation as a world leading performance venue.’
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