The Konepaja neighbourhood of Helsinki is home to an audiovisual hub known as Kino Konepaja. Led by Jussi Myllyniemi of Finnish postproduction company Whitepoint, it is more than just a cinema, rathers an intersection of film, production and sound design, coupled with a New York soul.
And Genelec’s loudspeaker technology plays a key role, transforming a once-traditional space into a modern venue that blends exceptional sound with the latest on-screen hits.
The intimate, 55-seat venue was conceived as a production space that could also serve as a cinema, driven by Myllyniemi’s background in postproduction and commercial movie events.
‘Initially, we considered collaborating with existing cinemas, but when that didn’t work out, we decided to create our own,’ he explains. ‘We’d had this facility in mind for a while, but we were met with some structural challenges. The space had beams that obstructed some viewpoints, but we were eventually able to remove these, enabling us to sign a long-term lease.’
Kino Konepaja’s identity as both a cinema and a postproduction studio placed a premium on its audiovisual provision. ‘We work extensively with visuals, so we knew exactly what we needed there,’ Myllyniemi states. ‘But for sound, we weren’t willing to compromise – we needed a system to match the picture quality, so of course we chose Genelec.’
Genelec’s 7.1 surround system is the heart of Kino Konepaja’s set-up, featuring three high-SPL S360 loudspeakers in the LCR positions, six 8350 loudspeakers as surrounds and a 7382 subwoofer.
‘Connection-wise, they’re incredibly easy to work with,’ Myllyniemi notes. ‘You just need a line-level signal cable between the processor and the speakers. And Genelec speakers are beautiful – they’re meant to be seen, not hidden away.’
The venue’s attention to detail extends beyond the main cinema space. In the bar area, are three 8020 studio loudspeakers paired with a 7050 subwoofer – models that Myllyniemi bought nearly two decades ago. ‘Everything else has changed over the years, but these Genelec models remain fully functional and still fit right in,’ he reflects. ‘This long-term durability reinforces our mission of creating an enduring space where audio fidelity is paramount.’
Kino Konepaja’s space required extensive acoustic treatment to meet the high standards they set for the cinema. Acoustic designer Kalle Lehtonen of Promethor – a Finnish acoustic consultancy business – collaborated on the project, focusing on sound isolation within a restricted budget.
For Myllyniemi, this was an eye-opening process: ‘As a “picture person” I had to embrace a whole new perspective to understand the importance of sound,’ he admits. ‘The learning curve involved embracing unfamiliar elements, like installing over 1,000sq-m of Gyprock on the walls for sound insulation.’
As the project progressed, Genelec’s sound continued to reassure Myllyniemi and his team. ‘Even at high SPL levels, the detail and clarity in Genelec’s sound is astonishing,’ he reposts. It’s rewarding to offer an experience where the audience hears sound exactly as the creators intended,’
From arthouse screenings to large-scale productions, the venue now provides an unparalleled experience in Helsinki. ‘Our audience respects quality, and compromises simply weren’t an option,’ Myllyniemi asserts. ‘We’re a micro-sized company, but we made a substantial investment to ensure we offer the highest quality.’
As Kino Konepaja continues to evolve, Myllyniemi remains enthusiastic about the role Genelec plays in its identity. In Myllyniemi’s view, Genelec’s reputation as a ‘workhorse’ with extraordinary durability makes them the ideal choice for the future. ‘The longevity of these speakers speaks for itself. Offering a space where people can hear sound as it was meant to be heard is incredibly satisfying,’ he concludes. ‘The Genelec system doesn’t just enhance our theatre experience – it defines it.’
More: www.genelec.com
