Sayed Al-Awssiya’a Auditorium adds Renkus-Heinz
Published: MEA
IRAQ: The Sayed Al-Awssiya'a Auditorium at the shrine of Hussein Ibn Ali has been installed with a new Renkus-Heinz PA system. The installation was handled by Baghdad-based Qurtuba Broadcasting and Communications Services (QBCS) working together with Ardh Al-Quds, the main contractors on the project.
The new sound system was part of a substantial audio and video upgrade to the 318-seat auditorium. QBCS installed new audio, video, and control systems at the venue choosing Renkus-Heinz Iconyx IC Live steerable array loudspeakers for the auditorium.
As one of the oldest holy shrines in Iraq, marking the burial site of Husayn Ibn Ali, third Imam of Shia Islam the site's protected historical status proved a challenge in designing the audio system. ‘The architects placed severe constraints on the locations of the speakers, and the methods of installing them,’ said Abdulrazzak Hummadi, CEO of QBCS. ‘This led us to seek an alternative to traditional loudspeakers.’
After reviewing a wide range of alternatives, audio engineer Ricardo Castro suggested IC Live loudspeakers for the venue. The design of the cabinets made the solution visually appealing for the project, but it still needed to pass a critical listening test.
‘Due to the fact that this was our first time working with Renkus-Heinz and Iconyx technology, we approached the decision making process very slowly and thoroughly,’ explained Mr Hummadi. ‘The support provided by the company was outstanding, and that helped make the decision that much easier.’
Following this listening test, QBCS selected left and right arrays of two IC Live ICL-FR arrays each for the main PA, as well as a pair of PN61-R two-way loudspeakers for front fill.
Activity at the site meant that installing this solution was a challenge in its own right. ‘The site is fully occupied with people, 24 hours a day,’ said Mr Hummadi. ‘Needless to say, this required both patience and careful planning.’
However, following the project Mr Hummadi has been impressed with the results of the installation. ‘The first test was simply amazing! The sound transmission level testing showed excellent results, with very consistent coverage throughout the entire venue,’ he recalled. ‘It was truly an amazing opportunity to work with these Renkus-Heinz products. Despite the many constraints we had with it being a holy site, I think we have built an effective and attractive solution.’