Seating 700 moviegoers, Mannheim’s CinemaxX Kino 10 of is among the largest cinemas in Baden-Württemberg – and at almost 280-sq-m the screen is certainly the largest. And with its recent conversion to Dolby Atmos, the cinema has upgraded its Alcons Cinemarray Pro-Ribbon screen sound system.
Filmtheaterbetriebe Spickert Entertainment – the operator of the CinemaxX – had previously chosen a Cinemarray pro-ribbon system in 2012. This comprises three Alcons CRA30n and three Alcons CRA30w three-way Cinemarray Pro-Ribbon screen sound systems, assembled in LCR stacks comprising one CRA30w and CRA30n. LFE is taken care of by four CB362 high-output subwoofers. For the surrounds, 24 CRS8 two-way pro-ribbon surround systems were installed. Three Alcons ALC2 two 1kW and eight ALC4 two 2kW Amplified-Loudspeaker Controllers – each with onboard SDP processor modules – drive and control the system.
As part of the Atmos upgrade, further Alcons systems have now been added. The surround system has been expanded with two CB211SL 21-inch shallow subwoofers, two pro-ribbon CRS12GT, 14 pro-ribbon CRS12 and six CCS12 and ten CCS8 (coaxial) surround speakers. Nine Sentinel3 four-channel amplified loudspeaker controllers with 36 channels, were also added to control and drive the system.
The speakers have been installed as top and wall surrounds, in accordance with the Dolby-calculated design.
‘Today moviegoers specifically look for upgraded cinemas,’ says Frank Noreiks, CEO of Filmtheaterbetriebe Spickert Entertainment. ‘To that extent the conversion to the latest technologies offers us a clear competitive advantage. Dolby Atmos for us is the logical development of the already existing Dolby systems in our cinemas such as Dolby 7.1. The addition of additional audio channels creats an even more realistic sound experience for the viewer. It is noteworthy that it’s not about increasing the sound pressure level, but perfecting the sound experience to a higher resolution. ‘
CinemaxX celebrated the new sound system with its showing of Independence Day: Resurgence, establishing Kino 10 as one of the largest Dolby Atmos cinemas in Europe. To underline its pioneering role and to make the movie experience still more immersive, the CinemaxX Mannheim has also installed ‘Thunder Seats’, with a woofer integrated into the cinema seat.
‘Our Kino 10 is a cinema of the future,’ says Noreiks. ‘With Alcons, we have the most competent partner on our side to make cinema as progressive as possible.’
More: www.alconsaudio.com
