Leading NYC metro area audio systems and backline provider Boulevard Pro added a full L-Acoustics Kara loudspeaker system package to its inventory.
The company was established in 1986 when owners Anthony and James Cioffi retired as professional as touring musicians. Having learned the importance of equipment and its suppliers, they were well placed to take on the role.
According to Anthony Cioffi, 80 per cent of what goes out their door for rentals are sound system components from L-Acoustics: ‘When we first got into L-Acoustics with dV-Dosc back in 2004 and 2005, it changed everything,’ he recalls. ‘It propelled our business forward. The powered 112P wedge monitor is still our biggest single rental item – we have 24 and they are out all the time. I read riders, and L-Acoustics is on everyone’s contract riders. I don’t buy a product because I think it’s sexy – I buy it because it’s what everyone wants, it’s what makes the best business sense. And that’s been the case with every L-Acoustics product we’ve had.’
To the dV-Dosc, dV-Sub and 112P enclosures already on hand, Boulevard Pro has added 36 Kara enclosures (two 18-box main arrays), eight ARCS Wide constant curvature systems for in-fill applications, five coaxial 8XT as front fills, 16 SB18 subs, and 12 LA8 amplified controllers housed in four LA-Rak touring racks.
The new system was purchased to serve venues seating upwards of 3,00: ‘With Kara, we’re able to more than adequately fill the region’s largest theatre spaces for any kind of music performance,’ Cioffi says. ‘Since taking delivery of the system, we’ve already used it at NJPAC, Tarrytown Music Hall, bergenPAC and other venues in the NYC metro area for artists like Heart, Pat Benatar and The Beach Boys.
‘The Kara was the next logical step for us,’ he says. ‘As a regional sound company of about 15 employees, we have to make smart choices, exploit niches and get the most bang out of each buck. And L-Acoustics systems have helped us by, for instance, increasing our corporate work and our sub-contracting work, where we provide extra reach for existing sound systems when they need it. L-Acoustics has always made a positive difference for our business, and it will keep doing that.’
