Tempo installs Coda Audio into Chinese theatres
Published: ASIA
CHINA: Two newly constructed Chinese theatres have been installed with Coda Audio sound reinforcement solutions in projects undertaken by Zhejiang Tongbo Electronic Engineering Co Ltd, also known as Tempo. The 24,500 sq-m Huainan Theatre and open-air Qi Shu Lake Performance Theatre both now boast system from the German manufacturer.
Reportedly costing ¥300m to construct, the Huainan Theatre is described as ‘striking’ and can accommodate up to 1,280 people. However, the broad range of performances and conferences it hosts coupled with its internal design presented acoustic challenges to Tempo as the company approached the design of its sound reinforcement system.
The Coda Audio solution is configured in an LCR arrangement and features the manufacturer’s Rx35 full-range units as the main speakers, with PW418 subwoofers for low-end extension, K5 compact two-way units for front-fills and G512-96 two-way units for side-fills. The system is driven by C5 four channel, 5,000W DSP amplifiers.
Crucially, the left and right channels of the LCR system are used for music, while the centre channel is used for speech. The unusual configuration has reportedly proven the most effective way of delivering high quality reproduction for the theatre’s wide-ranging programme of events, having won praise from theatre staff.
Meanwhile, the Qi Shu Lake Performance Theatre is located 400km south of Huainan and offered Tempo a challenge of a different kind. The open-air venue has been built to host plays, musicals and other live performances, boasting an enormous 9,900 sq-m stage area facing a 3,900 sq-m audience area with bleachers.
The principle challenge of the project was providing even coverage across the audience area, which is far wider than it is deep. A left-right line array configuration was deployed for the venue, providing the necessary coverage whilst protecting sightlines.