HRH Queen Elizabeth II was recently involved in the formal openingof The Capitol, the newly designed and refurbished community artscenter in the Sussex town of Horsham, which features Martin Audiocinema and theater sound systems installed throughout.
Sound Associates was commissioned to provide an integrated designapproach to the new audio and projection systems, including projectionequipment, theater P.A., cinema sound, a combined P.A./VA system andgeneral communications. The building had been substantiallyreconfigured, and its new layout features a small studio cinema, alarger 160-seat cinema and the main 450-seat auditorium set up for useas a theater and cinema.
For all three cinemas, Sound Associates chose Martin Audio’s ScreenSeries loudspeakers. “Martin has been making great inroads intothe cinema sound market in the last couple of years,” said GrahamLodge of Sound Associates. “They’ve come up with highlycompetitive quality products that match or exceed the usual benchmarksin specific areas, and they offer excellent customer support across theentire range.”
Martin Audio Screen 4 three-way cinema systems were installed in themain auditorium—L, C and R behind a drop-down screen—and 14Martin Effect 3s were used for surrounds. Smaller Screen Seriesloudspeakers were used for the other two screening theaters, and eachroom was equipped with a Sub1A sub-bass cabinet. In the mainauditorium, the function of the cinema sub was combined with thetheater P.A., using two WS2A sub-bass cabinets.
The Martin Audio support team completed an EASE design for SoundAssociates’ installation in the theater, using four WT3s per sideof the stage. These are mostly used in full-range mode, but two WS2Asubs have been provided and can be wheeled onstage when required. AnXTA controller automates the settings for both configurations.
“The WT3s have been designed specifically for the theatermarket,” said Lodge. “They are very compact for a three-way15-inch speaker, and they’ve got useful insert points, which allowprecise mounting and positioning. Also, they offer very good vocalintelligibility, thanks to the 6.5-inch midrange, which is vital in ahall that will handle a tribute band one night and the local amateurdramatics group the next.”
For more information, visit Martin Audio at www.martin-audio.com. Find out more info aboutSound Associates at www.soundassociates.com.
