K-Array fixes intelligibility problems for St Mary’s in Texas
Published: WORSHIP
WORLD: A K-Array loudspeaker solution has been installed at St Mary’s Windthorst Church in Texas, to help solve audio issues that have been consistently plaguing the building’s management. The church approached Electro Acoustics' president Chris Jordan to help it understand the problems.
‘I was immediately impressed with the beauty of the room and knew the solution would require discrete speakers to not distract from the worship nature of the church,’ described Mr Jordan, who is no stranger to installations of this type. ‘The room acoustics were very live.’
Mr Jordan recorded an RT-60 of 2.5s, meaning that significant adjustments would have to be made to the speakers to increase intelligibility. Led by Chris Hudson, the Electro Acoustics engineering team chose K-Array P102 speakers as the cabinet of choice. One was positioned on either side of the proscenium arch along with a single corner mounted KMT18P subwoofer for extended low frequency coverage. This location reportedly provided good coverage to all seats on the main floor, and following custom painting, blended into the building's architecture.
An additional pair of KP-52 speakers and KMT-18P subwoofers were deployed to provide coverage for the Antiphonal Choir. K-Array KK-52 speakers are used as monitors by members of the choir and also as fills for the main system. The manufacturer’s Tornado speakers were selected to provide coverage for the cry room and upper balcony side-fill because of their discrete size.
‘The church was delighted not only with the huge difference in speech clarity but also in the care in which the system was installed,’ enthused Mr Jordan.