Los Angeles, CA (September 28, 2026)—Perched above Los Angeles, the Griffith Observatory is as famous for its appearances in endless movies and TV shows as it is for educating millions of visitors over the years as to the mysteries of the skies. Much of that work in done in the facility’s Leonard Nimoy Event Horizon Theater, a 190-seat auditorium that recently underwent a sizable audio system update with the help of audiovisual technology specialist Solotech and consultant TheatreDNA.
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The theater is used daily to host programs, presentations and panels, but increasingly they were being interrupted by feedback from the existing house system. “We recognized the need for a solution that could address the unwanted reflections and uncontrolled audio challenges, without disrupting the theater’s strict aesthetic values,” said Patrick So, theater programs manager at Griffith Observatory. “We worked closely with Solotech and TheatreDNA, who guided us through a range of potential options while assessing coverage, clarity, and visual impact.”
In turn, the two companies settled on a recommendation of Renkus-Heinz ICONYX Gen 5 loudspeakers for the facility, with a single ICONYX IC16-RD model installed behind the projection screen upstage of where speakers stand to present. While the Leonard Nimoy Event Horizon Theater retained a dedicated playback system for film screenings, the IC16-RD was introduced exclusively for spoken word events.
“The beam steering capabilities allow for precise vertical coverage control, directing sound towards the audience while reducing energy on the reflective surfaces, ultimately helping to improve speech intelligibility and maintain consistent SPL from the front of the auditorium to the back,” Marc Nutter of Solotech explained.
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The wider AV system is built around a QSC network that brings audio, video, and control into a streamlined interface, allowing museum staff to prepare and operate daily programs and special events without requiring in-depth technical knowledge.
Since the debut of the new audio system, the audience experience inside the Leonard Nimoy Event Horizon Theater has improved noticeably. “The upgrade from the old system was immediately clear,” So reveals. “With the IC16-RD, there’s no more feedback when presenters speak into the microphones and the entire audience can hear even the most subtle details. The immense effort that everyone has put in has led to a far more immersive and engaging experience that fully lives up to the expectations of the Griffith Observatory.”
