Melbourne’s Crown Casino & Entertainment Complex combines accommodation, restaurants, shopping and gaming under a single roof. Recently, its bar/nightclub underwent a major refurbishment as part of a multi-million dollar development project, followed soon after by a rebrand from The Common Room to the Crown Sports Bar. In addition to offering 20 TV screens (and 200in big screen) for sports enthusiasts and regular live music, the facility took the opportunity to review its sound system.
Key to the refurbishment was a combination of EAW speakers and Powersoft amplifiers: ‘Q, D, M and K Series, as well as Ottocanali (8-channel) models have all featured across the many applications the resort requires,’ says Ben Clarke, Technical Support Manager at Production Audio Video Technology (PAVT), the local distributor for Powersoft. ‘Approximately five years ago the case was made for a good sounding, high channel density, high efficiency amplification platform to become their standard – all of the attributes that Powersoft has helped to pioneer.’
In the latest fit-out, Powersoft DSP K series amplifiers were specified by technology specialist Point of View (PoV) to drive an EAW loudspeaker system, consisting of QX594 (FOH) and SBK250 (subs) cabinets using the proprietary UX8800 DSP platform – which handles the DSP, and feeds Powersoft K2 and K3 touring amplifiers.
A Powersoft K2 drives the passive MF/HF circuits of the two EAW QX594 loudspeakers and a pair of K3s handle the dual LF circuits of the two QX594s. Two Powersoft K3-DSP-AESOP are assigned to control the VLF circuits of the four EAW SBK250 subwoofers, while another pair of K2s run the passive LF/HF circuits of the four EAW Microwedge10 stage foldback system. Finally, a further K2 powers the passive LF/HF circuits of two JF8 fills.
According to Clarke, the Powersoft K3-DSP-AESOP, chosen for the subwoofers, used Damping Factor Compensation to great effect: ‘This effectively eliminated the effects of the cabling, providing increased attack, clarity and musicality to the very low frequencies,’ he reports.
‘This was a truly challenging environment for us,’ says Stephen Sokolowski, Corporate Intelligence Operations Manager. ‘For the client to demand such a high-quality sound system in such an intimate space, where musicians will be performing nightly, and where major sports events will be televised, we needed something that had incredible control to keep away from the gaming floors, and accommodate the full range and diversity expected.
‘Powersoft delivered everything and more for us, and the PAVT guys were supportive every step of the way. Crown Casino is thrilled with the result.’
More: www.pavt.com.au
More: www.eaw.com
More: www.powersoft-audio.com
