Sharon Hill, PA (November 12, 2012)—To address the challenges of creating a balanced acoustic setting in the sanctuary of the Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Sharon Hill, PA, Tony Albano of Avondale, PA-based Naamans Creek Audio/ Video employed Community’s loudspeakers as a solution.
Built in 1891, the Philadelphia-area Church was one of the first non-segregated churches and parochial schools in the region. In 1961, the Holy Spirit Catholic Church dedicated its elaborately decorated sanctuary, which includes ornate woodcarvings, wrought iron, and stained glass. However, the same elements that make the sanctuary so beautiful to behold also make it a rather acoustically challenging space.
“It’s a very different type of room,” Albano explained. “The chapel itself is surrounded by smaller sub-chapels. The walls are largely brick, and the ceiling is about 30 feet high at its peak. It’s a complex space, and very reflective, and they’ve always had problems with intelligibility.”
To address the room’s sonic issues, Albano designed an audio system comprising four Community Entasys column line array loudspeakers. Two more Entasys columns provide delay toward the back of the room. A Crown CTS-4200 four-channel amplifier drives the system, with Rane RPM-88 providing system DSP.
“Their previous system had been pretty problematic,” says Albano. “Parishioners complained about loud volume but low intelligibility, particularly along the center seating areas. The Entasys columns were the ideal solution for focusing the sound away from the walls and windows and into the seating area where it belongs. Several of the church’s long-time parishioners have said that it’s the first time they could actually understand the priest’s sermon.”
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