Southern California-based live event production company and A/V equipment provider Pacific Coast Entertainment (PCE) recently provided a sound system for the newly opened Great Park Live venue in the City of Irvine. The venture has already proven sufficiently successful that the city plans to invest in a permanent amphitheatre, set to open in 2027.
The Great Park Live site offers a unique acoustic challenge, however. ‘The venue is situated in the middle of neighbourhoods,’ says PCE Production Manager, Tom Pappanduros. ‘We needed a sound system with enough control to ensure an excellent audience experience while minimising sound bleed into the surrounding community. We chose EAW’s Anya rig, which proved crucial in meeting these demands.’
The custom EAW sound system comprised 24 Anya boxes, 12 per side, and 24 Otto subwoofers in a central cluster. ‘The combination of these powerful yet precise speakers allowed PCE to modify the sound based on the needs of the variety of events held at Great Park Live,’ Pappanduros says. ‘We’ve worked through about seven different configurations for the low-end, focussing on energy control to maximize the venue’s space while minimising disruption to nearby homes, and the end result offers the ideal balance.’
EAW’s Anya loudspeaker is a three-way, full-range ADAPTive array module that adapts its performance parameters electronically, making it equally suited to small venues and large amphitheatres, such as Great Park Live. EAW’s Otto ADAPTive subwoofer balances low-frequency coverage with cancellation to suit the user’s requirements of omni, cardioid or hyper-cardioid. Combined in arrays, Otto provides users with nearly endless possibilities in low-frequency pattern control.
One of the standout features of the Anya system is its ADAPTive Technology. According to Pappanduros, ‘During one event, city officials noticed higher-than-allowed noise levels in the surrounding neighbourhoods. Thanks to the Anya’s advanced control features, we quickly reduced the area’s effective size from 300ft to 180ft, lowering levels without disturbing the concert experience. Being able to make those on-the-fly adjustments is invaluable. The audience didn’t even notice.
‘I’ve been in the industry for over 30 years and first encountered EAW’s Anya about a decade ago,’ he continues. ‘It left a lasting impression. It’s rare to find a system that combines clarity, headroom and adaptability as seamlessly as Anya and Otto do.’
PCE’s involvement in Great Park Live also highlights the company’s broader capabilities as a full-service production company. From sound systems to video walls, lighting and stage design, PCE has established itself as a leading force in live event production across California. ‘We’re not just about big festivals or high-profile corporate events. We focus on delivering the best possible experience for every project we take on,’ Pappanduros says.
As the Great Park Live venue continues to entertain Irvine residents, Pacific Coast Entertainment’s work is a testament to the power of innovative sound technology and expert installation.
