LOS ANGELES — After more than two years of construction, Beverly Hills’ first performing arts center, the Wallis Annenberg Center — or simply “The Wallis” — officially opened in mid-October with a star-studded, invitation-only gala featuring a concert by Natalie Cole. Since then, the center’s primary performance space–the 500-seat, proscenium-arch Bram Goldsmith Theater — has been hosting a steady lineup of world-class theatre, music and dance performances sonically reinforced via the venue’s new L-ACOUSTICS amplifier and loudspeaker system.
The sound system was designed and installed by the Burbank team of Electrosonic, Inc., which handled AV design and integration for the entire complex — including the adjacent 1933 Beverly Hills Post Office, fully restored and repurposed as a grand lobby, cafe, gift shop, classroom and office space, and home to the 150-seat Lovelace Studio Theater.
At the request of the venue’s benefactors, the rest of the sound system is practically invisible. Coaxial 12XT enclosures are hidden in the proscenium on either side of the stage, while two more are flown above the ceiling reflectors as balcony delays. Also suspended above the reflectors are four individually flown SB18i subs for low-end.
For cinematic events, the venue additionally features a full 7.1 surround system built around L-ACOUSTICS’ smaller XT series products. Eight 8XTi enclosures are mounted in acoustically treated wall recesses along each side of the room and covered with removable acoustic panels, while a total of four tiny 5XT enclosures are similarly hidden along the back wall of the balcony and deliver rear-balcony coverage.
“When we first got involved with this project way back in 2008, we knew even then that we wanted to have an L-ACOUSTICS system in the main house,” Coe recalls. “We originally looked at KIVA-KILO and ARCS II, and then KARA as well. But as the project evolved, ARCS WIFO made its debut and was perfectly suited for the space. Having personally tested the Goldsmith’s new system with a string quartet, classical pianist, jazz band and rock band, I feel that it achieves such a level of purity and clarity–as well as lovely warmth–that many other manufacturers seem to lack. I’ve always loved L-ACOUSTICS in the theatrical setting and this project absolutely confirms that.”
Wallis Annenberg Center Director of Production James D’Asaro shares Coe’s delight with the new system. “Our L-ACOUSTICS house system works very well for producing a sound and expressiveness within the range of what our artists and guest companies expect without being overwhelming to our audiences,” he says. “The system doesn’t feel like it has to ‘pierce’ before it has real presence and power, but is well balanced in a way that allows it to become virtually invisible when we don’t want to perceive that it is doing something.
For more details on the Wallis Annenberg Center and its performances, visit www.thewallis.org. Electrosonic can likewise be found online at www.electrosonic.com.
L-ACOUSTICS is a leading innovator and manufacturer of high-performance loudspeakers, amplifiers and signal processing devices for touring and installed sound markets. Known around the globe for pioneering and championing the modern line array loudspeaker concept with V-DOSC, the company has received numerous accolades for its K1, KUDO, KARA, KIVA, ARCS, XT coaxial loudspeaker systems and SB line of subwoofer enclosures, all powered and processed with the LA4 and LA8 amplified controllers in fulfillment of a “total system approach.” Product distribution and customer service for the USA is handled by L-ACOUSTICS’ subsidiary in Oxnard, California.
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Contact:
L-ACOUSTICS U.S.
2201 Celsius Ave, Unit E, Oxnard, CA 93030
Tel: 805.604.0577 / Fax: 805.604.0858
[email protected] / www.l-acoustics.com
