Fort Wayne, IN-based CSD Group, Inc., an award winning, nationally recognized design/build firm providing audio, video, lighting, and acoustics services, was contracted to manage the church’s new sound system installation. CSD Group President Doug Hood, who oversaw the project from conception through completion, discussed the challenges of the project.
“First United Methodist Church has a traditional sanctuary with seating capacity for approximately 300 worshipers,” Hood explained. “In addition to the sermon, services typically involve music performances by the church choir with piano accompaniment. For this project, a key priority was to find a solution that minimized line of sight distractions as one faced the altar area. On that note, we opted to find a low profile loudspeaker solution that could be centrally positioned—yet one that had the dispersion characteristics capable of providing even, consistent coverage throughout the space. This led us to the WorxAudio TrueLine X5i-P installation line array with its mounting hardware, the TrueAim™ Grid.”
The WorxAudio X5i-P is a compact, ‘all-in-one’ line array that incorporates five modules, each with a medium format, 1-inch exit compression driver coupled to a stabilized proprietary FlatWave™ Former (wave shaping device) that delivers clear, penetrating high frequencies over a predictable and controlled coverage area. These compression drivers are paired with dual 8-inch cone transducers in each of the five modules. Hence, each X5i-P loudspeaker system provides a total of five high frequency drivers and ten bass drivers.
“The X5i-P’s horizontal dispersion is incredible,” says Hood. “To prove our point, we actually brought in a crank up lift, positioned the system where the new array would go and left it there for a Sunday service so the congregation could hear the difference. The left to right dispersion of this loudspeaker system is amazing when you consider there is just one center array. Upon hearing the system in a real-world setting, the church decided to proceed with the project.”
“Another key challenge of this project was in maintaining and respecting the décor of this beautiful, traditional sanctuary,” Hood continued. “At the client’s request, we bought the system unfinished and they custom painted it to match the room.”
With the ability to easily custom order the X5i-P so that it could be painted to the client’s preference, Hood was quick to note WorxAudio’s first-rate customer service and support. “WorxAudio has always been great to work with,” he said. “They are always happy to provide us with assistance when we begin work on a new project. We believe it’s good practice to have the manufacturer involved with recommendations, so it is a real benefit to have the WorxAudio team eager and ready to provide help.”
Before turning his attention to the business of the day, Hood offered these parting thoughts, “Everyone at the church has been very pleased with the performance of the new system. At the time we first demonstrated it, the client had never heard of WorxAudio Technologies, but they quickly became WorxAudio enthusiasts. WorxAudio’s X5i-P was exactly the right choice for this project. This line array not only gave us fantastic sound, but a very clean look as well.”
To learn more about CSD Group, Inc., visit the company online at www.csdus.com. For additional information about First United Methodist Church, visit them at www.wabashfirstumc.org.
About WorxAudio Technologies
Headquartered in Greensboro, NC, WorxAudio Technologies has been at the forefront of loudspeaker development for the pro touring and contractor markets for the past thirty years. With a comprehensive lineup of more than twenty loudspeaker models that feature integrated rigging hardware for streamlined installation and pack out, WorxAudio products can be found in prestigious facilities worldwide. For additional information, visit the company online at www.worxaudio.com.
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