Nouvelles BSS

HARMAN Becomes NASCAR® Technology Partner to Enhance Audio Experience for Racing Fans

Tue, 18 Mar 2025 09:00:00 +0000

NORTHRIDGE, Calif. — HARMAN International anounced today that it has become a NASCAR Technology Partner aimed at delivering premium audio experiences for racing fans through future racetrack audio upgrades. This partnership enables NASCAR to design and implement high-quality integrated audio systems using HARMAN Professional Solutions brands, including JBL Professional loudspeakers, Crown amplifiers, BSS digital signal processing, and more.

HARMAN Professional is a global leader in developing advanced audio systems for large-scale venues, with solutions deployed in stadiums, arenas, music festivals, theme parks, and performing arts centers worldwide. Through this technology partnership, HARMAN’s expertise and product offerings will help elevate sound quality for race fans across NASCAR’s racetrack properties as upgrades are required at any one of the 14 NASCAR-owned venues. In addition to the primary exterior racetrack areas, NASCAR venues feature numerous interior spaces where intelligibility and high-quality audio is essential for announcements, broadcast coverage, and music.

“JBL and NASCAR are two iconic brands that were founded just two years apart in the 1940s, and will now work together to enhance one of the most thrilling and widely attended sports in the world,” said Brian Divine, President of HARMAN Professional Solutions. “On any given day, thousands of fans around the world experience audio through a JBL system, and we are excited to collaborate with NASCAR through this technology partnership to bring them even closer to the action through superior sound.”

Founded in 1948, NASCAR is the premier sanctioning body of stock car racing in North America and operates 14 racetrack properties, including Daytona International Speedway, Talladega Superspeedway, Michigan International Speedway, Phoenix Raceway, and others.

“With millions of fans attending NASCAR events in person each year—and millions more watching on TV—our races demand the highest levels of performance and reliability from all technical systems,” said John Martin, Vice President, Chief Technology Officer at NASCAR. “Not all suppliers can meet NASCAR’s rigorous standards, but HARMAN’s brands have a proven legacy of innovation, exceptional sound reproduction, and day-in, day-out reliability, making their products an ideal fit for our venues.”

Further details on the partnership and specific audio integrations will be announced as the 2025 season progresses.

BSS OMNI Dynamic Keypads to Preview at Integrated Systems Europe (ISE) 2025

Wed, 29 Jan 2025 09:00:00 +0000

NORTHRIDGE, Calif. — HARMAN Professional Solutions, the global leader in audio, video, control, and lighting systems announced today that it will preview its BSS OMNI Dynamic Keypads at the Integrated Systems Europe (ISE) show in Stand #3F300, beginning February 4, 2025. OMNI Dynamic Keypads deliver the next step forward in fully customizable and scalable enterprise UX by combining the simplicity and convenience of a keypad with the powerful customizability and control of a touch panel.

Designed for seamless integration into BSS Soundweb OMNI signal processing and AMX MUSE automation and control environments, the new keypads feature dynamic LCD buttons. Each programmable digital button supports full color images and multiple states, providing more customizability and enabling more intuitive designs than any traditional keypad. Aesthetically, the keypads blend into any modern environment, offering a clean, professional look without sacrificing functionality.

Enabled by HARMAN’s AVX Suite, these keypads can be quickly and easily configured and managed through the unified software platform. They use HARMAN's HControl protocol to communicate natively with BSS OMNI DSP Processors and I/O Expanders or AMX MUSE Automation Controllers, and are compatible with AMX NetLinx or 3rd party control platforms.

Available in tabletop and wall-mount configurations, and finished in stylish black or white (select models), there's a keypad for every space, need, and application. Tabletop models come in three variations: 6-button, 6-button with rotary control, and 8-button with rotary control. Wall-mount models are compatible with worldwide variations of single-gang electrical boxes and include 6- or 8-button layouts with optional rotary control or a rotary-only configuration. All BSS OMNI Dynamic Keypads utilize convenient Power over Ethernet (PoE) connections to simplify cabling and installation.

BSS OMNI Dynamic Keypads empower highly efficient, intuitive control experiences and provide the customizability to fit any space. They are ideal for large scale applications such as stadiums, conference centers, and casinos as well as scaled down scenarios in meeting rooms, classrooms, and hotels.

HARMAN Professional Solutions nomme Algam Ibérica comme partenaire de distribution officiel en Espagne

Mon, 20 May 2024 09:00:00 +0000

LONDON—HARMAN Professional Solutions, the global leader in audio, lighting, and video and control technologies, today announced a new partnership with Algam Ibérica for audio and video control product distribution in Spain. The distributor will take responsibility for branded products including AMX, JBL Professional, Crown, Soundcraft, BSS, Lexicon, and dbx.

Starting 1 July 2024, the new partnership between Algam Ibérica and HARMAN Professional will represent both companies’ shared mission of providing industry-leading audio solutions to more customers in Spain. Algam Ibérica will have full access to all HARMAN Professional audio and video control brands in the region while also providing product service, including AKG, distributed by Music Distribución.

Algam Ibérica was selected because it possesses the necessary mind-set and drive to deliver premium service and top-tier expertise on HARMAN Professional products to Spanish customers that include audio engineers, production houses, and integrators. This collaboration marks a significant stride in advancing HARMAN's objective to extend its reach to an unprecedented number of customers while delivering unparalleled audio and video control solutions.

“Algam has a long and proud history of providing high quality products and service to our customers, and our partnership with HARMAN Professional is a natural extension of that mission,” said Benjamin Garnier, Managing Director, Algam. “We are thrilled to offer a wide range of premium HARMAN Professional’s audio and video control solutions to the Spanish market and look forward to working closely with the HARMAN team to do so.”

HARMAN Professional will continue to build, strengthen, and solidify its new partnership with Algam Ibérica as it continues to further develop its presence in the Spanish market.

“We are excited to announce the expansion of our collaboration with Algam Ibérica as our audio, video & control distributor for the HARMAN Professional portfolio that include many of our iconic brands in Spain,” said Hamid Soufian, Vice President and General Manager, EMEA, HARMAN Professional. “Algam Ibérica consistently demonstrates outstanding performance for the customers they serve, making us confident in their ability to further enhance our portfolio. We eagerly anticipate the opportunities this expanded partnership will bring.”

Halwani Audio Visual (HAV) Unveils First-Ever HARMAN Professional Experience Centre in KSA

Mon, 04 Mar 2024 09:00:00 +0000

JEDDAH, KSA - Halwani Audio Visual (HAV), a premier provider of cutting-edge AV event and brand solutions in Saudi Arabia, and HARMAN Professional Solutions proudly announces the grand opening of the inaugural HAV/HARMAN Experience Centre in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. This collaboration between HAV and HARMAN Professional marks a significant milestone in enhancing customer experience and expanding operations within the region.

The Jeddah location joins a prestigious network of HARMAN Professional's global experience centres situated in key international hubs such as Los Angeles, London, Singapore, Shanghai, along with other distributor-led experience centres in separate regions worldwide. Additionally, HAV's decision to also relocate its headquarters to this dynamic new space underscores its commitment to delivering unparalleled service to clients.

As a partner of HARMAN Professional audio brands, including JBL Professional, Crown, BSS, Soundcraft, AKG, and dbx, HAV's state-of-the-art 1,800 sqm (19,000 sqf) facility will serve as a premier showcase for audio solutions tailored to both entertainment and enterprise markets. From live touring to installed and recording audio, visitors can immerse themselves in settings that highlight the versatility and excellence of HARMAN's industry-leading products.

"The opening of the new HAV/HARMAN Experience Centre represents a significant investment in our Saudi operations and marks a pivotal shift in how we engage and support our valued customers,” said Bassam Halwani, CEO of Halwani Audio Visual. “This immersive environment will offer a comprehensive showcase of HARMAN's industry leading applications, empowering visitors to explore diverse scenarios and gain invaluable insights into our audio solutions."

Hamid Soufian, Vice President and General Manager, EMEA, HARMAN Professional Solutions, echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the strategic importance of HAV's role in advancing business growth within the KSA. "HAV's longstanding HARMAN partnership and expertise have been instrumental in our success, and the launch of this experience centre signifies an exciting opportunity to deepen customer engagement and drive AV solution modernization throughout the region.

In addition to its showcase of innovative audio solutions, the new experience centre will host regular training sessions tailored for clients, consultants, and integrators. These sessions aim to enhance technical proficiency and equip participants with the knowledge needed to navigate the diverse requirements of audio solutions effectively.

For more information on upcoming training seminars, events, or to schedule a visit to the HAV/HARMAN Experience Centre, please contact hav.marketing@havpro.com

BSS Audio Introduces Soundweb OMNI Open Architecture Digital Signal Processors, I/O Expansion Devices and AVX Software

Tue, 30 Jan 2024 09:00:00 +0000

ISE 2024 (Stand #3F300) - BARCELONA — HARMAN Professional Solutions, the global leader in audio, lighting, video and control systems, announced its new BSS Soundweb OMNI Series - the next generation in open architecture digital signal processing.

Featuring the most powerful processor ever from BSS, Soundweb OMNI caters to the diverse needs of hospitality, large venues, corporate, education and government installations. The Soundweb OMNI family combines enterprise-grade processors, flexible I/O expanders, Dante/AES67 networked audio, an onboard scripting engine developed by AMX, and a vast library of processing objects, including media playback, AEC, VoIP, and more.

The platform is seamlessly managed through AVX Architect and AVX Control, an all-new software suite, built from the ground up to support the latest installed products from HARMAN Professional starting with BSS Soundweb OMNI, ushering in a new era of installed AV software at HARMAN.

Soundweb OMNI is designed to meet the specific requirements of AV system designers, integrators, and end users, while removing the pain points often found in traditional system design. It combines purpose-built hardware with intuitive software that offers the flexibility of centralized or distributed DSP, allowing system designers to choose the appropriate topology for any installation.

BSS’s commitment to supporting control system programmers is reinforced through the introduction of HControl, a human-readable, standards-based, and developer-friendly API. Soundweb OMNI also supports both 48kHz and 96kHz processing, exemplifying BSS’s commitment to audio fidelity.

Soundweb OMNI features two flagship processing devices, the 512p and 256p, which deliver exceptional DSP power and high Dante/AES67 channel counts, up to 512x512 at 96kHz. This surpasses previous generations and positions Soundweb OMNI to effortlessly meet today's complex demands while remaining future-ready for tomorrow’s AV/IT needs.

Soundweb OMNI also offers two I/O expansion devices, the 32e and 16e, which provide unparalleled I/O flexibility. Each audio I/O port is “format configurable” as either analog or stereo AES3 digital. Furthermore, certain audio I/O ports and all GPIO ports are “direction configurable” as either inputs or outputs - all easily managed through software on an individual port basis.

The AVX software suite streamlines the configuration, control, and monitoring of Soundweb OMNI systems through two user-friendly applications. AVX Architect is a desktop software app for system diagramming, device configuration, network management, and custom UI design. AVX Architect allows users to add an unlimited number of processors and expanders to a single project file, while still enjoying the simplicity of a true, single canvas for device configuration. AVX Control is a lightweight software app, which provides easy access to custom UIs for controlling and monitoring devices across a multitude of platforms, including Windows, iOS, macOS, Android, and AMX Varia touch panels. These custom UIs work not only with Soundweb OMNI devices, but also Crown DCi amplifiers and previous generation Soundweb London devices, thanks to protocol-bridging technology developed by AMX.

“BSS has set the standard for signal processing innovation with legendary products that have driven some of the world’s most prestigious installations,” said Phil Scobee, Director of Installed Audio for HARMAN Professional Solutions. “As the new standard in open architecture DSP, Soundweb OMNI builds upon that legacy to advance signal processing and maximize system design potential for system designers, integrators, and end users.”

FEATURE HIGHLIGHTS:

MOST POWERFUL DSP
Soundweb OMNI represents the most powerful DSP available from BSS, with processing capability that surpasses previous BSS DSP products. The all-new engineering design ensures the seamless handling of today’s most complex installations and positions Soundweb OMNI to be future-ready to meet the evolving needs of tomorrow.

CHOICE OF CENTRALIZED OR DISTRIBUTED DSP TOPOLOGIES
Centralized and distributed DSP topologies each come with distinct advantages. Instead of dictating a topology, Soundweb OMNI supports both, allowing system designers the freedom to choose the topology that best aligns with the specific requirements of each project.

ONE PROJECT, INFINITE DEVICES
System integrators can add as many Soundweb OMNI processors and expanders to a single project file as needed, while still enjoying the simplicity of a single canvas for device configuration. Regardless of DSP topology or device count, AVX Architect software provides a centralized workspace, streamlining the process of constructing, maintaining, and troubleshooting even the most complex DSP designs.

AVX SOFTWARE SUITE
Through user-friendly applications, the AVX software suite streamlines Soundweb OMNI system configuration, control, and monitoring. The AVX Architect app simplifies system diagramming, device configuration, network management, and custom UI design while the AVX Control app enables easy access to custom UIs for controlling and monitoring devices across a multitude of platforms, including Windows, iOS, Android, and AMX Varia touch panels.

MODERNIZED 3RD PARTY CONTROL API
Soundweb OMNI devices leverage HARMAN's new HControl protocol, a human-readable, standards-based, developer-friendly API. This intuitive, flexible, and powerful alternative to other protocols positions it as the preferred choice for developers working at any scale.

DANTE SPOKEN HERE
Audinate’s Dante audio networking is the world’s most universally adopted networked audio technology, used extensively for commercial installations, live performances, recording and production, and more. Soundweb OMNI ships with its full Dante channel count capability, up to 512x512 to ensure immediate, seamless compatibility with the complete Dante ecosystem.

PRIVATE AND PUBLIC DANTE SUPPORT
For native-AVX devices such as Soundweb OMNI, integrators can easily create "Private" Dante streams simply by drawing wires between processing objects allocated across devices. This streamlines the device configuration process by allowing AVX Architect to build and protect Dante routes, without the need for external Dante Controller software. This also visually simplifies the layout of otherwise complex DSP designs. For interfacing non-AVX devices, the standard "Public" Dante toolset ensures full compatibility with the entire Dante ecosystem.

128-CHANNEL INTERNAL MEDIA PLAYER
Soundweb OMNI 512p and 256p processors are equipped with a robust 128-channel internal media player, facilitating the playback of pre-recorded audio files directly from an internal 1TB or 500GB SSD. This is useful for announcements, paging chimes, advertisements, background soundscapes, and more.

AEC AND VOIP EQUIPPED
Supporting up to 160 AEC channels and 64 VoIP lines, Soundweb OMNI processors provide seamless integration capability with building phone systems to ensure efficient and reliable communication.

HIGHEST QUALITY MICROPHONE PREAMP
BSS products have earned a renowned reputation for exceptional sound quality, and Soundweb OMNI I/O expansion devices showcase this legacy with the highest quality solid-state microphone preamp ever crafted by HARMAN.

MULTI O/S PLATFORMS
AVX Control software is cross-compatible with a wide variety of operating systems, including Windows, Android, iOS, and AMX Varia touch panels, offering versatile options for a diverse user base.

ONBOARD AMX MUSE TECHNOLOGY
The same technology developed by AMX for the robust MUSE Automation Platform can run natively on Soundweb OMNI devices, inheriting the same protocol bridging and scripting capabilities as AMX MUSE devices. To simplify the upgrade path for existing BSS and Crown users, this technology allows previous generation BSS Soundweb Contrio EC wall controller devices to control new Soundweb OMNI devices, while also allowing new AVX Architect and AVX Control software to integrate previous generation BSS Soundweb London DSPs and Crown DCi amplifiers into a unified custom UI, directly alongside Soundweb OMNI. This technology also provides control system programmers with a sophisticated scripting toolkit for interfacing with third-party devices and APIs.

Additional Details
For complete product details and specifications, please visit: bssaudio.com/product_families/soundweb-omni.

HARMAN Professional Solutions EMEA Appoints New Audio Distribution Partners in Italy

Mon, 16 Oct 2023 09:00:00 +0000

LONDON — HARMAN Professional Solutions, the global leader in audio, video, lighting, networked AV and control systems, today announced a new partnership with Exhibo S.p.A. and Adagio Italia for audio distribution responsibilities in Italy. Exhibo will take responsibility for JBL Professional, Crown, Soundcraft, BSS, Lexicon and dbx branded products alongside its current distribution of Martin lighting while Adagio has been appointed for distribution of AKG.

Effective January 1, 2024, Exhibo S.p.A. and Adagio Italia will take over the sales and services of all HARMAN Professional brands audio brands from Leading Technologies. Located in Milan, Exhibo is well-equipped to provide Italian customers and integrators with premium service and high-level expertise on HARMAN products. Located in San Benedetto del Tronto, Adagio Italia will harness its strengths in the retail, live and recording markets to connect the AKG brand even more closely with its customers.

These partnerships are a major step forward in HARMAN’s mission to reach more customers than ever and provide best-in-class audio solutions throughout all of Europe.

“I am delighted to see these new partnerships in Italy,” said Mark Bailey, Harman Professional’s Director of Audio for the EMEA region. “Leveraging Exhibo’s 60+ years of experience along with the strength of the Harman Pro portfolio provides a unique opportunity in the Italian market across retail, installation and touring. In addition, Adagio Italia’s strength in the recording and retail markets will take our iconic AKG brand to new heights.”

Leading Technologies will continue to supply HARMAN Professional products through December 31, 2023. To ensure a smooth and natural transition, representatives from Exhibo and Adagio Italia will be contacting Italian customers in advance of the January 1 start date. Starting today, customers can work directly with Exhibo and Adagio to set up accounts, establish credit lines, meet personnel and more.

HARMAN Professional thanks Leading Technologies for their many years of hard work and dedication to our brands, and we wish them well in their ongoing business. We look forward to collaborating with Exhibo and Adagio Italia to further develop the Italian market in the New Year.

The Stadium Theatre Merges History and Modernity Onstage with Help from HARMAN Professional Solutions

Wed, 01 Mar 2023 09:00:00 +0000

WOONSOCKET, R.I.—To update the historic Stadium Theatre for modern live shows while still paying respect to its Vaudeville-era design, All Tech Sound designed and installed a versatile range of HARMAN Professional audio solutions.

First opened in 1926, the Stadium Theatre is one of only a handful of Vaudeville-era theaters in the country that are still in operation, and today it hosts an eclectic range of shows and productions. Owned and operated since 1996 by the nonprofit Stadium Theatre Foundation, the venue is in its 25th year of extensive renovations to both restore its historic architecture and update the technology to better suit modern performances.

For the audio component, the venue required an agile system that not only provided the dynamic range and coverage suitable for a wide variety of performances, but also looked discreet and didn’t impede on the venue’s historical aesthetics. To meet these requirements, the Stadium Theatre Foundation worked with Jeff Hansen of All Tech Sound to select and implement JBL Professional VTX Series speakers and Crown I-Tech Series amplifiers.

“The Stadium, being an old theater, had an old point source system that was adequate for what we did at the time,” said Dennis Tancrell, Technical Director, Stadium Theatre Foundation. “As we started booking bigger and better shows and national touring acts, we realized that it was time to bring in a permanent line array system. We worked with All Tech Sound in the past to bring in a JBL VerTec system, but that involved volunteers every Friday ground stacking massive cabinets that weighed 130 pounds over and over again. When the opportunity came to try out the A8s in our venue, Jeff coordinated with sales guys and got us a rig for a weekend. We needed to have the rig fit in the very tight space on each side of the proscenium. and the A8s worked perfectly for that.”

A versatile addition to the VTX Series designed for a variety of applications, the JBL VTX A8 line array offers exceptional output and coverage in a remarkably compact eight-inch design. Equipped with patented Differential Drive woofers, a mid-frequency Radiation Boundary Integrator and an advanced high-frequency compression driver, the A8 ensures high-quality and consistent sound dispersion up to 110 degrees. Given that the Stadium needed an easily concealable speaker that worked within the space limitations and also reached every audience section including the balcony, the A8 was a natural choice.

“They had been looking for something that would fit the atmosphere of the room for a while, and some of the other bigger boxes just wouldn't have worked,” said Jeff Hansen. “When the A8s came along, we brought a system in and it sounded phenomenal. We got beautiful coverage right to the back of the room when we calibrated and tuned the final installation. The spread is phenomenal, and it sounds great.”

“We have always had issues getting coverage up to our balcony,” added Tancrell. “We're a true stadium-style theater, which means no overhanging balcony. Getting coverage up into that balcony with the system that we had before was very difficult and almost non-existent. But then the A8s came in and before Jeff even started tuning them, they filled the entire place. I knew immediately that it was the rig of choice .”

Along with the VTX A8, Hansen and the installation team equipped the theater with JBL VTX B18 and B28 subwoofers for reinforced, distortion-free low end. Whether grounded or stacked, the B18 and B28 respectively feature single and dual 18-inch woofers designed to complement the rest of the VTX Series with optimal bass response down to 25 Hz. The speakers’ power combined with their lightweight and compact design allowed the theater to hang subs in the theater for the first time and reduce the overall amount of subs needed without sacrificing low end. Finally, JBL AC16 ultra compact loudspeakers deliver dedicated front fill coverage, while the JBL VTX M20 provides performers with high-fidelity stage monitors.

“The good thing about the VTX subs is that we were able to fly them where we weren’t able to in the past thanks to their size and weight,” explained Hansen. “Whenever we did ground stacks before, they would impede sight lines and get in the way and not look very nice, especially in the Vaudeville theater. So the advantage of being able to fly half of the subs and keep them out of the way was a great advantage, and we've actually built platforms off to the side so the ground subs can be out of the sight lines and still give you enough oomph when needed for the bigger acts. For the front fills, we wanted something that would blend in and be as unobtrusive as possible but still provide high quality sound, and the AC16s are nice and slim and have a good tone to them, so they fit perfectly.”

For amplification, Hansen and the team choose the Crown HD Series, having used the I-Tech 4x3500 in particular for many years. The two-channel Crown I-Tech 12000HD and four-channel I-Tech 4x3500HD amplifiers offer the power and processing capabilities needed for modern productions. Loaded with BSS OMNIDRIVEHD processing engines, linear phase FIR filters and LevelMAX limiters, both amps ensure low-latency signal processing and unrivaled sonic clarity for any type of performance the Stadium Theatre hosts.

Overall, the new audio system progresses the Stadium’s ongoing transformation and ensures its place as a prestigious, modern venue as well as a piece of American entertainment history. Tancrell praised the A8 in particular for making premium output and clarity attainable in a compact and budget-friendly design.

“We do a lot of top-notch tribute shows, and one night this band convinced me to use their big traveling rig,” explained Tancrell. “I fell in love with that system, but what I didn't fall in love with was the price tag. As a nonprofit, there was no way we could have ever afforded that, and it just wouldn't have fit in the space. But that same touring band came back this year and don't you know what they're traveling with now? They're traveling with the A8s, and it sounds just as good.”

Dua by Lago Produces Unique Events with World Class Audio Technology by HARMAN Professional Solutions

Thu, 19 Jan 2023 09:00:00 +0000

RISHON LEZION, Israel—To ensure perfectly balanced sound coverage and quality for a wide range of events, KZPRO recently collaborated with HARMAN Professional Solutions to outfit Dua by Lago with a state-of-the-art networked audio system consisting of JBL, Crown and BSS solutions.

Lago is a large event complex that houses three different venues—Spirit, Soul and Dua—for conferences, exhibitions and events of all sizes. Located on the edge of Rishon LeZion Lake, Dua by Lago is one of Israel’s premier venues for weddings, proms and other special occasions. To ensure world-class guest experiences from the moment they approach the building to the end of the event, Lago required state-of-the-art audio solutions uniquely suited to each area of the venue. Lago’s management turned to integrators KZPRO (Professional Sound Division of RBX / Kley Zemer) to outfit Dua’s indoor dance floor, dining areas, outdoor garden and canopy with a complete HARMAN networked audio system featuring JBL Professional loudspeakers, Crown amplifiers and BSS network processors.

“We were asked to install a distributed sound system that would provide unified sound quality throughout the interior and exterior of the venue,” said Libby Kochan, Marketing, KZPRO. “They wanted to be able to play music in the event garden as well as inside the hall in a way that would be user-friendly and uniformly distributed. We also needed to ensure each speaker’s properties were suited for the environments, in terms of both sound quality and visual aesthetic. JBL’s wide selection of speakers allowed us to pick the right solution for each area. JBL speakers deliver the sound quality we need while blending in seamlessly. Our clients are very happy with the outcome—they’re proud to have one of the best sounding venues in Israel.”

For ceremonies and activities in Dua’s outdoor canopy, KZPRO installed JBL CBT 70J-1 column loudspeakers and AC115S subwoofers. The CBT 70J-1’s asymmetrical vertical coverage sends more sound toward the far area of the canopy, yielding consistent levels for guests in both the front and back rows. To provide immersive music playback in the rest of the beautiful outdoor garden, KZPRO installed JBL AWC62 highly weather resistant outdoor speakers. JBL AWC62’s IP56 weather rating protects the speakers from the harsh winds and high humidity that typically come from being located so close to the Mediterranean.

In Dua’s reception area, KZPRO installed JBL Control 25AV compact background speakers in the ceilings, while they outfitted the dance floor area with JBL AM7212 loudspeakers and ASB6128 subwoofers. The high-powered AM7212 loudspeakers and ASB6128 subwoofers help keep SPL and energy levels high on the dance floor itself, while the Control 25AV speakers enable guests to have conversations at their tables with comfortable music levels. KZPRO installed Crown ITech series amplifiers to power the floor speakers and subs, while the ceiling speakers and outdoor speakers are driven by Crown CDi Series amplifiers.

“At Lago, every floor is a different venue, so they wanted to keep the sound contained with Dua without disturbing the other floors,” said Oren Zisman, Manager of KZPRO’s Professional Sound Division. “To meet that goal, we used a large number of speakers with precise directivity—to put the sound where we want it without interfering with other events. We picked JBL because they offer a wide variety of speakers for every application and environment. The Crown amps have presets for each JBL speaker type, which made it really easy to tune the system and deliver unified sound quality throughout the entire venue, and the BSS control systems make it easy for the staff to control the volume level and source selection in each zone.”

To give Dua’s staff user-friendly control over all the speakers, KZPRO created a networked matrix using a BSS Soundweb London BLU-160 network processor with BLU-BIB and BLU-BOB input and output expanders. Using a unified touch screen controller, staff can choose to play different music in the various zones or combine the entire system into one seamless distributed system.

In addition to a successful installation at Dua by Lago, KZPRO also recently opened a new showroom at their headquarters. The new KZPRO showroom gives professionals in the Israeli market an opportunity to see and experience the latest technologies from HARMAN’s iconic brands.

Stages Hotel Prague Pushes the Hospitality Industry Forward with Help from HARMAN Professional Solutions

Tue, 20 Dec 2022 09:00:00 +0000

PRAGUE—To provide the state-of-the-art Stages Hotel Prague with a comprehensive and versatile networked audio system, AV integrators Nowatron Elektronik and AudioMaster CZ installed a wide range of dynamic and powerful HARMAN Professional audio solutions.

Situated near both the O2 Arena and O2 Universum, the Stages offers visitors to Prague an unforgettable luxury experience showcasing the city’s eclectic music and arts scene. Along with its modern rooms, restaurants and meeting spaces, the Stages also features a fully linked audio-visual network between the hotel, the O2 Arena and O2 Universum. This ambitious system allows for independent or shared media broadcasting and streaming between the three venues in real time with minimal latency.

Given that this system is the first of its kind in the Czech Republic hospitality industry, the Stages required a modern AV solution that balanced advanced features and bandwidth with ease-of-use and accessibility. To meet these requirements for the hotel’s audio component, Nowatron Elektronik and AudioMaster CZ designed a versatile and future-proofed system using JBL Professional, Crown and BSS solutions.

“We were contacted to help with the installation because the hotel wanted to make something special—a hotel not only for regular guests, but also for all guests to the O2 Arena or Universum,” said Matěj Sborový, Project Manager, AudioMaster CZ. “All three buildings are interfaced via optical connection and they can transfer all audio and video signals from one building to another. All of the system functions had to be done very easily and without any complications for the user, so we had to implement the simplest user interface possible.”

The Stages Hotel’s audio system is divided into 13 zones, each capable of independent AV output. Some zones also include sub-areas such as conference rooms, which in turn have their own output. Such an intricate system was only possible thanks to the BSS BLU806DA digital signal processor with BLU link and Dante. Featuring configurable I/O and signal processing with “drag-and-drop” controls and a low-latency 256-channel audio bus, the BLU806DA combines high bandwidth and power with ease-of-use for instant and reliable audio distribution throughout the hotel. Additionally, the system’s Dante-based protocol allows for easy reconfiguring or expansion in the future, should the hotel need to do so in order to accommodate either of the O2 venues.

Along with the BLU806DA, the system backend also utilizes BSS BLU BIB input expanders and BLU BOB1 output expanders to maximize the network’s reach within the hotel and seamlessly connect with the O2 Arena and Universum’s respective systems. Finally, BSS EC-4BV ethernet controllers allow hotel staff and guests to quickly and easily control the audio signal for each zone and subzone. Hotel staff can also control each zone wirelessly from a smart tablet.

“The main core of the audio is the BSS BLU806 processor because of its high processing power and Dante connectivity,” said Sborový. “All of the audio signals are distributed through the hotel via the Dante network, so hotel staff can easily connect with some converter in any internet socket and to pass audio to the processing or DSP processor. For example, the hotel hosts a Master Chef-type show in the restaurant, and they need to use wireless microphones since there aren’t any analog inputs nearby. So instead, they can use an internet connection and wireless system with Dante output and broadcast the audio in the area without any problem.”

The installation team installed over 200 JBL ceiling, pendant, wall-mounted and outdoor speakers throughout the hotel to best accommodate each area’s specific requirements. JBL Control Series speakers accounted for the majority of the system thanks to their high output, reliable coverage and discreet design. The Control 12C/T and 14C/T ceiling speakers, for instance, are both equipped with compact full-range drivers for distortion-free audio at any output, as well as sleek designs that blend seamlessly with their surroundings.

Meanwhile, speakers such as the JBL Control 67HC/T and 64P/T pendant speakers respectively offer narrow and full range coverage with minimal echo for areas with high ceilings, while the Control CRV architectural speaker allows for discreet audio sources in curved areas. Finally, the weather-resistant JBL Control 25-1 speaker provides detailed sound for the outdoor spaces, and the JBL SoundBar 1 reinforces sound for TV monitors in the private conference spaces.

Finally, the installation team powered the system with both JBL CSA and Crown CDi Series amplifiers. All four amp models used––the JBL CSA18OZ, JBL CSA24OZ, Crown CDi4/300BL and Crown CDi4/600BL––are equipped with Crown DriveCore technology for reliable power output, ample input options and versatile operation. Additionally, the CDi4/300BL and CDi4/600BL also come with BLU link for effortless connection to BSS networks.

Overall, the resulting audio system provides the Stages Hotel with seamless connection to the O2 Arena and Universum, and provides plenty of audio control and flexibility for staff and guests as well as potential for future modifications.

“The hotel management is happy that they have everything under control,” added Sborový. “They also appreciate that it's quite easy for them to make any changes now as well as in the future because they will probably in a few years want to do some small changes or something else entirely. With this system, it's very easy to implement whatever they want.”

University of Western Australia Propels STEM Education and Collaborative Learning With AMX, JBL Professional

Thu, 21 Jul 2022 09:00:00 +0000

PERTH, Australia—The University of Western Australia (UWA) recently partnered with 3D Audio Visual and HARMAN Professional Solutions to outfit its new EZONE UWA Student Hub facility with a full array of state-of-the-art networked audio solutions.

Located on University of Western Australia’s Perth campus, EZONE is a new learning space dedicated to the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). To transform the way these fields are taught, UWA created EZONE to be a world-class education hub that allows students, alumni and industry experts to participate in a variety of conferences, panels, seminars, lectures and question-answer sessions.To provide participants with the best possible experience, UWA required state-of-the-art AV systems to support a wide range of activities and events. In order to ensure world-class sound quality, UWA hired 3D Audio Visual to design and install complete HARMAN networked AV systems using solutions by JBL, AMX, BSS and more.

“We wanted a hi-tech space that incorporated spaces for conferences, theater and collaboration across the EZONE—to connect the engineering rooms that students used for group study and research, and to create this unique space for students and teachers to collaborate and learn,” said Clifton Newton, Audio Visual Manager, University of Western Australia. We are delighted with the HARMAN system provided by 3D Audio Visual. The entire system offers great flexibility for the future, if and when we decide to expand. 3D Audio Visual has created comfortable study areas for the students, which is increasingly important following the COVID-19 pandemic.”

3D Audio Visual installed JBL Control 65P/T/BL pendant speakers to deliver clear and consistent audio coverage throughout the EZONE. The team chose to power all JBL speakers using Crown DCi 8|300N high-performance amplifiers with cutting-edge OMNIDRIVE technology. AMX MD-702 touch panels provide flexible routing and easy volume control across different zones. Additionally, 3D Audio Visual outfitted the EZONE with AMX SVSi encoders and decoders, NX-1200 controllers and BSS BLU-806 signal processors ensure seamless control and uninterrupted delivery of audio and video over any network segment or link. Because the building is made mostly of glass, the team utilized AMX MSA-MMK-07-7 glass mounting kits in combination with Modero G5 wall mount touch panels. To further enhance speech intelligibility and visual communication during conference calls, the team installed AMX Acendo Vibe ACV-5100BL conferencing soundbars.

“The main challenge was connecting the two buildings together with technology,” said Ian Wornes, Technical Manager, 3D Audio Visual. “Linking the new building with the old building was difficult because of differences in the architecture and renovations. To overcome these challenges and ensure consistent sound quality throughout the facility, we integrated JBL Control pendant speakers and AMX networked AV solutions. The entire system provides great flexibility and ensures a seamless audio and video conferencing environment.”

“With its new EZONE, the University of Western Australia wanted to create interactive remote learning spaces,” said G. Amar Subash, VP & GM, HARMAN Professional Solutions, APAC. “This goal could only be met by implementing state-of-the-art networked AV systems. We thank 3D Audio Visual for their use of HARMAN solutions to overcome the architectural challenges and ensure customer satisfaction.”

Capella Bangkok Hotel Creates an Ambiance of Luxury With HARMAN Professional AV, Lighting and Control Solutions

Wed, 06 Jul 2022 09:00:00 +0000

BANGKOK—To ensure a premium guest experience with crystal-clear audio, professional lighting and sound for events, seamless video connectivity for meetings and a comprehensive central control system, Country Group Development collaborated with Mahajak Development to equip its Capella Bangkok hotel with a suite of HARMAN Professional networked AV, lighting and control solutions.

Capella Bangkok is a five-star hotel situated on a 13.8-acre lot overlooking the Chao Phraya River. In addition to its 101 lavishly-appointed guest rooms, suites and luxury villas, the hotel features three restaurants, a tearoom, a greenhouse, a grand ballroom and four multipurpose “atelier” specialty function rooms.

“We were responsible for the audio, visual, lighting and control systems design for the ballroom, specialty function rooms and four areas of the background music system,” said Eric Wong, AV Consultant of Katakan Consulting Co., Ltd., as reported by Mahajak. “The client wanted a versatile system capable of delivering sharp, clear sound without distortion for a variety of functions like seminars, conferences and other events. They also requested a high-resolution video system.”

“We are proud to be a part of the organization installing the audio system for Capella Bangkok Hotel,” added Pongsakorn Kanchanachayphoom, Project Director, Mahajak Development Co. Ltd.

Mahajak provided background music systems for the lobby, lounge, restaurant, pool, spa and fitness areas, as well as a public announcement system capable of broadcasting to every floor from a single control room. In the main lobby and corridors, JBL Control 14CT and Control 47CT ceiling speakers provide full-range sound while blending into the architecture seamlessly. In areas with high ceilings, Mahajak selected JBL Control 226CT, 45C/T and 19CST in-ceiling loudspeakers for greater coverage. Weather-resistant JBL Control 88M and Control 29-1AV outdoor loudspeakers cover the garden area, while MS610 waterproof marine loudspeakers provide audio for the spa area.

To meet the needs of a variety of events from weddings to business meetings, Mahajak equipped the ballroom and specialty function rooms with JBL Control 16CT, 45CT, 226C/T, 19CST and 328C in-ceiling loudspeakers. JBL EON612 self-powered loudspeakers with PRX818LF low-frequency subwoofer systems provide additional sound reinforcement for larger events. Mahajak selected Crown CDi 2|300, XTi 6002, CT 8150 and XFMR-8 amplifiers to power the speakers, as well as a Soundcraft LX7ii analog mixing console for uncompromising sound and reliable performance. To provide professional-quality lighting for the stage area, Mahajak hung Martin RUSH PAR 2 RGBW Zoom fixtures from a ceiling truss, using a Martin Ether2DMX8 router to send DMX control signals to the fixtures.

To give staff comprehensive control over the audio and lighting systems, Mahajak equipped the hotel’s control center with a range of HARMAN control solutions and installed additional control panels throughout the facility for on-site adjustments. An AMX NX-3200 integrated controller with an MXD-1001-L touch panel provides comprehensive routing for AV signals throughout the facility, while the AMX TPC-IPAD app provides remote control capabilities via Apple iPad. A BSS BLU-100 Signal Processor in the control center provides signal distribution to each floor’s audio system via BLU Link digital audio networking, while BSS BLU-10 and EC-4BV wall-mounted controllers allow staff to easily adjust volume and configure audio zones remotely. Crown CDi 4|300 amplifiers power each floor’s speakers and a Soundcraft LX7ii analog mixing console provides advanced mixing capabilities.

Capella Bangkok Hotel staff reported that the HARMAN AV and lighting solutions exceeded their expectations, providing a world-class experience for guests. They added that Mahajak helped achieve their objective of livening up the space with pristine sound and speech intelligibility across the facility.

“A sophisticated venue like Capella Bangkok Hotel requires best-in-class AV and lighting solutions to create an immersive space for guests," said G. Amar Subash, VP and GM, HARMAN Professional Solutions, APAC. “We would like to thank our partner Mahajak Development for applying their expertise and executing the project with dedication and perfection.”

Warstic Bat Company Enhances Flagship Store and Headquarters with JBL Professional and Crown Audio

Thu, 26 May 2022 09:00:00 +0000

DALLAS—Baseball bat company Warstic Sports, Inc. recently opened its state-of-the-art headquarters and retail space in Dallas, which features a comprehensive networked audio system from HARMAN Professional Solutions.

Founded by former baseball player and entrepreneur Ben Jenkins in 2011, Warstic specializes in state-of-the-art metal bats and customizable wood bats, along with batting gloves, fielding gloves and other baseball and softball accessories. In 2016, four-time All-Star second baseman Ian Kinsler and musician Jack White became co-owners alongside Jenkins, and in November 2021 the company officially opened its flagship store and headquarters in Dallas. In addition to a retail space and batting cage area, the facility also features a cafe, a conference space known as the War Room, and a live performance space in the basement. To meet Warstic’s current needs and anticipate future plans for the space, HARMAN Professional Solutions provided design assistance and installation guidance for the highly versatile audio system featuring JBL Professional, Crown, BSS and Soundcraft solutions.

“The building itself is not only our central office but also a retail store, batting cage, speaking and event center, factory, coffee shop and a place for live music,” said Christine Edgington, President, Warstic Sports, Inc. “There are so many components packed into our 10k foot space. We started the process with a detailed explanation of how we would be utilizing all of the different spaces, and HARMAN matched our needs with their extensive list of products.”

“Each space had its own individual needs as far as audio was concerned,” added Nick Mourn, Production Application Support Specialist, HARMAN Professional Solutions. “What made this installation unique was that Warstic wanted each space to share the same audio for things like background music, as well as the option for each space to have its own audio source. There’s a considerable amount of flexibility in the design so that as time goes on, the company will have an easier time launching future plans and projects. The retail space has a big projection screen, for example, and the plan is to eventually be able to play things on the screen and have the video’s sound run through the audio system just within the retail space. So this design was all about maximum flexibility without making it too complex.”

The retail space features JBL Control 65 P/T compact full-range pendant speakers with Radiation Boundary Integration technology, ensuring immersive background music, legible communications and wide coverage throughout the spaces. A Crown DCi 4|600N amplifier with BLU link and DriveCore technology provides power to the Control 65 speakers in the retail space, cafe and War Room.

The batting cage space required a more dexterous audio design to both maintain audible sound during batting sessions and provide full-range live sound for acoustic shows, events and classes planned for the space. The area consists of JBL AM7212/95 two-way loudspeakers, featuring a rotatable horn and waveguide for versatile placement and coverage, as well as JBL Control 31 two-way monitor speakers for additional monitoring during shows or outdoor events. A Crown DCi 2|1250N amplifier powers the speakers, and a Soundcraft Ui24R digital mixer offers simple wireless audio control for Warstic staff.

“The AM7212/95 is a higher-output speaker compared to the pendant style used in the other spaces,” added Mourn. “The reason behind this is not only for music playback purposes, but also when they start to do batting workshops and even small concerts in that space, the speakers can operate as a true sound reinforcement system.”

The basement is an intimate, speakeasy-style live music area similar to the stages found in Jack White’s Third Man Records locations in Nashville, Detroit and London, all of which feature HARMAN audio systems. This space features JBL AM7215/26 high-power loudspeakers and ASB6128 high-power subwoofers for impactful dynamics and complete coverage for the entire audience. Additionally, JBL SRX812P self-powered speakers and SRX818SP subwoofers offer pristine and concentrated onstage monitoring, and both can also be used as a portable sound system for pop-up or outdoor events.

“We wanted the equipment in the stage area to make a statement,,” said Edgington. “The JBL speakers provide massive sound that explodes off the stage and looks great while doing so. Across the board, the sound quality is beyond our wildest expectations in every corner of the building.”

For the stage’s backend, a Crown DCi 4|1250ND amplifier provides ample power and a Soundcraft Vi1000 digital mixing console with a Soundcraft Vi Stagebox allows for easy and accurate sound mixing across more than 100 available inputs. Finally, JBL Control 65 P/T speakers powered by a Crown DCi 2|600N provide background audio for the basement.

For the entire facility, a BSS BLU-101 signal processor ensures high-bandwidth processing and low-latency audio. BSS BLU-BIB input expanders in each area also allow for individual inputs in any part of the facility for events or live shows. Finally, BSS EC-8BV wall-mount controllers in each area provide easy-to-use and responsive audio and input control, which in turn allows for each area to operate and play different audio independently from one another.

Warstic celebrated its opening with a surprise performance by Jack White, and the cutting-edge audio system created an inviting and engaging experience for new visitors and customers.

“It was a very exciting night; Jack and the band played a great set and we got a lot of compliments on how good it sounded, especially given that the space is extremely small,” said Mourn. “We look forward to seeing where Warstic takes this system from here.”

“The reality is that they had their work cut out for them,” added Edgington. “HARMAN was patient and incredibly informative throughout the journey to complete this project. They listened carefully to our goals and ensured that we had an end result that would serve the needs of our location perfectly.”

Ulsan Munsu Football Stadium Modernizes the Fan Experience With HARMAN Professional Solutions

Thu, 21 Apr 2022 09:00:00 +0000

ULSAN, South Korea—To outfit the Ulsan Munsu Football Stadium with the latest in sound system technology, TechDataPS Co. Ltd. selected and installed a range of dynamic HARMAN Professional audio solutions.

Built to host the 2002 FIFA World Cup, the Ulsan Munsu Football Stadium is a 43,544-seat venue at the heart of the Ulsan Sports Park. With three stories and two basement floors, the stadium features a roof covering 87% of the four-sided stands supported by steel trusses designed to emulate the whale skeleton found in the hemisphere petroglyphs at Daegok-ri, Ulju. Additional pillars allude to the Silla Gold Crown, which inspired the stadium’s nickname, “Big Crown.”

A spokesperson for TechDataPS Co. Ltd. reported that the client requested a comprehensive revamp of the stadium’s 20-year-old audio system, but the venue’s unique structure left the installation team with limited placement options. To meet these challenges, the installation team selected versatile and intuitive JBL Professional, Crown, BSS and Soundcraft audio solutions for clear output and even coverage across every seat in the stadium.

The installation team implemented JBL VTX A8 line array loudspeakers as the system’s primary solution thanks to its innovative auto-locking rigging mechanism and comprehensive set of mounting accessories for numerous placement options. Additionally, the IP55-rated JBL AWC129 and VLA-C2100 durable loudspeakers reinforce the sound and coverage for the first floor and upper levels, respectively. Crown DCi 4|1250N and DCi 4|1250DA amplifiers offer efficient power for the second and third floors while the DCi 2|600N and DCi 4|600N models do the same for the ground floor.

For the central control area, Soundcraft Vi2000 audio mixers with Vi Stageboxes and a JBL 308P MKII monitor, powered by a Crown I-Tech 4x3500HD amplifier, offer intuitive controls and mixing tools for consistent, studio-quality sound. Finally, BSS BLU-100 and BLU-DAN signal processors ensure low-latency and responsive audio throughout the entire stadium.

A spokesperson for the Ulsan Munsu Football Stadium said that after the much-needed audio system renewal, the stadium has now achieved the best sound quality among the ten World Cup stadiums in Korea, and is now one of the superior stadiums in the world. Given the stadium’s historical significance as the center of the 2002 World Cup, it is the pride of the Ulsan Facilities Corporation and will continue to thrive thanks to this installation. They also thanked TechData PS and HARMAN for their efforts and dedication to the project.

"Apart from delivering world-class performance, the new audio setup at Munsu Football Stadium had to meet great standards of reliability, durability and safety," said Amar Subash, Director, Channel Management and Audio Solutions, HARMAN Professional Solutions, APAC. "We would like to thank our partner TechData PS for delivering on all those fronts, meeting the unique demands of the space so articulately and creating an immersive space for the audience and visitors of the stadium.”

Eulsukdo Cultural Center Provides Nature, Art and Immersive Listening Experiences With HARMAN Professional Solutions

Thu, 21 Apr 2022 09:00:00 +0000

BUSAN, South Korea—To ensure pristine sound quality throughout the prestigious Eulsukdo Cultural Center, TechDataPS Co. Ltd. installed a comprehensive audio system featuring state-of-the-art HARMAN Professional Solutions.

Founded in 2002, the Eulsukdo Cultural Center is a multi-purpose space for visitors to experience various art forms and performances with the natural beauty of Eulsukdo Island as a backdrop. Designed to achieve a harmonious blend between nature and culture, the center features an outdoor performance hall overlooking a stunning sculpture park and the island’s natural beauty, as well as three indoor exhibition areas.

TechDataPS Co. Ltd. reported that the client requested a new audio system for crystal-clear sound and full coverage within both indoor performance areas. However, the deep balconies in both areas made achieving true tonal clarity for all audience members a challenge. The installation team developed a design that achieved immersive, reflection-free sound with industry-leading JBL Professional, Crown and Soundcraft audio solutions.

The new system primarily features the compact yet powerful JBL VTX A8 line array speaker, which provides impactful sound and full coverage thanks to its 110-degree dispersion and mid-frequency Radiation Boundary Integrator design. Additionally, JBL VTX B18 subwoofers reinforce the lower frequencies and feature a patented Slip Stream double-flared exponential low-frequency port design to avoid muddling the system’s overall clarity. Finally, JBl VTX M20 stage monitors with Differential Drive transducers and D2 dual diaphragm, dual voice coil compression drivers ensure isolated and coherent audio for the performers onstage.

For amplification, Crown I-Tech 4x3500HD amplifiers provide ample and reliable output across four channels, making it the ideal choice for the center’s diverse performances and exhibitions. Concluding the setup is the Soundcraft Vi3000 audio mixer, whose 36 faders and four Vistonics II™ touchscreens ensure versatile control and ease-of-use during performances.

Eulsukdo Cultural Center thanked the TechData team and praised the new system’s performance and flexibility. They added that they know the HARMAN solutions will help the center create unforgettable experiences for visitors and audiences of any event.

"Complementing Eulsukdo Cultural Center’s ambiance, the HARMAN PA system delivers exceptional audio across the venue," said Amar Subash, Director, Channel Management and Audio Solutions, HARMAN Professional Solutions, APAC. "We would like to thank our partner TechDataPS for tackling the requirements of the cultural center with dexterous use of HARMAN’s range of audio solutions while ensuring an immersive audio experience for listeners."

Rocco’s Bar & Gusto Transforms into a Multi-Function Event Space With HARMAN Professional Networked AV Solutions

Tue, 19 Apr 2022 09:00:00 +0000

Rocco’s Bar & Gusto is a restaurant and venue located inside United Cinemas in Warriewood, New South Wales that hosts parties, private business meetings, sporting and fine dining events in its multipurpose event spaces. Because the venue space can be divided into multiple separate areas to accommodate a variety of events and meetings, the restaurant required an audio-visual solution with the flexibility to route and matrix signals to their respective zones. To meet this request, Rocco’s acquired a fully networked audio-visual system featuring solutions by AMX, BSS, JBL Professional, Crown and AKG.

“We wanted an immersive experience for Rocco’s Bar & Gusto, and the HARMAN solutions exceeded our expectations,” said Sam Mustaca, CEO, United Cinemas. “Just like the state-of-the-art sound found in our theaters, we wanted Rocco’s to have exceptional sound capabilities that elevate the customer experience.”

To achieve high-quality sound throughout the space, the installation team equipped the restaurant with JBL Control 47LP low-profile ceiling speakers and Control 40CS/T in-ceiling subwoofers for wide and consistent coverage throughout the venue while using minimal space. Additionally, an AKG WMS470 wireless microphone system ensures clear vocals and excellent speech intelligibility for performers and speakers. Crown DCi 8|300N amplifiers with DriveCore technology efficiently and reliably power the loudspeakers, and BSS EC-8BV Ethernet wall controllers offer speaker load flexibility and easy volume control across different zones. Finally, the BSS BLU-BIB input expander offers increased flexibility with an additional eight analog channels, and the BSS BLU-100 ensures latency-free signal processing for high-bandwidth events.

The central control system for the venue, featuring exclusively AMX solutions, provides flexible zone configuration and extensive network security features. The AMX MT-1002 tabletop touch panel and NX-2200 NetLinx NX integrated controller provide fast responsiveness throughout the venue and ease of use for staff. Lastly, the AMX SVSI N2300 4K Series encoders and decoders distribute 4K video with low latency, low bandwidth and low power consumption, while the NMX-ATC-N4321 audio transceiver efficiently sends and receives two-channel balanced or unbalanced audio over IP throughout the venue.

“The ultimate goal was to create a unique, multi-functional event space for guests with a simple, easy-to-use interface to manage audio sources across multiple zones,” said Roy Mustaca, Founder, United Cinemas. “I’m grateful for the HARMAN and installation teams for their thoroughness in transforming Rocco’s into a truly world-class venue.”

A spokesperson for the installation team added that they specifically selected AMX and BSS controllers and processors for their proven reputations of high-level integration with various technologies, making them a natural fit for Rocco’s event space.

“Rocco’s Bar & Gusto was a bespoke installation in every sense,” said Amar Subash, Director, Channel Management and Audio Solutions, HARMAN Professional Solutions, APAC. “Leveraging the latest in control technology offered by HARMAN’s systems, they were able to create an engaging environment. “We would like to thank Rocco’s Bar & Gusto for letting us help them provide a premium audio experience to their audience.”

Janesville Pedestrian Bridges Usher in Promising New Era With HARMAN Professional Solutions

Thu, 24 Mar 2022 09:00:00 +0000

JANESVILLE, Wis.—To transform the pedestrian bridges over the Rock River area of Janesville, Wisconsin into a vibrant and welcoming public space, Bluechip Labs deployed a range of dynamic and durable HARMAN Professional audio and lighting solutions.

Centered around Resilience, a sculpture designed by artist Deedee Morrison at the center of the new Heritage Pedestrian Bridge, the installation consists of dynamic lighting and sound for three bridges and two new parks that give Janesville a much-needed recreational area and outdoor city center.

Private revitalization group ARISEnow commissioned the installation as part of an urban revitalization campaign to showcase Janesville’s history and natural beauty, reinvigorate the community and engage with visitors. Due to the Rock River’s fluctuating water levels and Wisconsin’s intense seasons, the city wanted a lighting and audio system for the bridges that could withstand harsh outdoor conditions while also being budget-friendly and visually stunning. To meet these requirements, AV integrator Bluechip Labs utilized cutting-edge solutions by Martin, JBL Professional, Crown and BSS.

“I was approached because ARISEnow was looking to install lighting for the city, but were faced with many technical challenges within a fixed budget,” said Stephen Phillips, Founder and Lead Engineer, Bluechip Labs. “I looked at the top companies that could provide the best lighting at the right price, and the choice was Martin. Also, Janesville gets 90 to 100 degrees in the summer and then heavy snow and high winds in the winter, and the bridge is on a fast-moving river that tends to flood. So I knew I had to put up some really tough fixtures that could survive the weather and possibly debris coming down the river.”

The lighting system includes more than 200 Martin Pixline 20 linear LED fixtures, which feature full-spectrum color programming and wide-coverage diffusion for strong and eye-catching visuals. Rather than use the fixtures to cast striking beams of light outward from the structure, Phillips instead turned the fixtures around and aimed them towards each bridge face using custom-made mounts. The result is a striking wash that covers the entire structure with no hot spots or gaps, transforming the bridges into iconic vistas in Janesville.

“The goal was to make the bridges look like they were illuminated from the inside or like it was painted, and I couldn’t figure out any way to do it with a normal round light,” explained Phillips, “But with the Martin Pixlines, I was able to find the right placement and amount of light density to hit the bridge just right. They gave me the flexibility I needed to paint the bridge in a way that didn't look like it was externally illuminated.”

Additionally, Martin Exterior Wash 200 fixtures illuminate the areas underneath the bridges to match the Pixline fixtures’ saturated color and even coverage. While other designs aimed to place six to eight wash lights per pier on the bridges, Phillips found that just one Exterior Wash 200 with a diffuser lens produced a 50-foot wide beam that provided more than sufficient coverage for the bridges’ inner walls. Crucially, the Exterior Wash 200 also features an IP66-rated enclosure, making it well-equipped to withstand weather conditions and the Rock River’s fast-moving waters.

For the art sculpture above the Heritage pedestrian bridge, with metal arches meant to resemble branches and nine-foot leaves made of glass, 24 Martin HP Exterior Dots with clear lenses add additional color and shading to the structure at night. Capable of a variety of colors and effects, the IP66-rated fixtures allow city staff to easily switch between clear lights, color blends and even a strobe effect that mimics rustling leaves in the wind. Finally, the Martin P3-050 system controller offers simple and responsive programming for the entire system, and several Martin Powerport 1000 power supplies deliver signals to fixtures in harder-to-reach areas.

“I was initially just going to do white lights for the sculpture,” said Phillips. “But then I thought with the Dots, you can get white light and, if the city decides to add color to the sculpture two or three years from now, that feature will be ready to go.”

For the audio component, Phillips installed JBL AWC62 weatherproof compact speakers powered by Crown CDi 4|600 amplifiers and a BSS BLU-100 processor on the pedestrian bridge and surrounding area for discreet background music. He is currently working on software that will allow for both the audio and light systems to be controlled from one source, which will enable city staff to easily program the lights and sound on the bridge for special events.

City officials have praised the new system for making the bridges welcoming communal spaces, which have already begun to attract locals and visitors alike. Phillips added that he looks forward to seeing how the bridges transform Janesville for the better.

“I was always the last one on-site while working out there, and I had many people come up to me and tell me how this was giving Janesville a new town center––something it has never really had before,” said Phillips. “As I continued working, more and more people were out there. Now, you’ve got hundreds of people strolling around on the weekends. There’s a fire pit, two pavilions, plenty of seating and a weekend farmer’s market. It’s completely changed the feel of the area. It was pretty powerful to see.”

United Cinemas Delivers Visceral Cinematic Experiences With JBL Professional Audio Solutions

Thu, 17 Mar 2022 09:00:00 +0000

SYDNEY—United Cinemas recently upgraded their flagship facility at Warriewood with advanced JBL Professional cinema audio solutions.

Located just north of Sydney in Warriewood, United Cinemas is a premier seven-screen multiplex cinema that offers a premium movie-watching experience including leather recliners with built-in wireless phone chargers, as well as world-class food and beverage service. In order to provide an immersive cinematic experience for movie-goers, United Cinemas required state-of-the-art audio systems capable of delivering clear, intelligible sound and balanced coverage in every seat of its main theater space, the Grand Theatre. To achieve this, the facility acquired a selection of cutting-edge JBL Professional and Crown cinema audio solutions.

“We wanted to enhance the listening experience of the 650-plus capacity Grand Cinema theater,” said Roy Mustaca, Chairman, United Cinemas. “We selected JBL and Crown solutions for their simple-yet-effective configuration and routing capabilities. Crown’s built-in speaker presets played a significant role in ensuring proper frequency response, crossover points and limiter settings.”

The Grand Theatre's audio system is designed around JBL cinema loudspeakers. The installation team deployed JBL 5732 three-way speakers behind the screen for maximum output and minimum distortion in the main left, left-center, center, right-center and right channels. JBL 9310 and 9300 surround speakers, AM5215 front ceiling surround speakers and AM7215 loudspeakers were chosen for the wide left and right surround channels. Additionally, the team installed JBL 4642 A and ASB6125 subwoofers to deliver spine-tingling low frequencies in the stage and surround LFE channels. The entire system is powered and routed by Crown DriveCore Series networked amplifiers to create a truly immersive listening environment for standard 7.1 channel and Dolby Atmos soundtracks.

“Our technical team worked closely with HARMAN application engineers to design a custom JBL audio solution that successfully delivers crystal-clear sound quality and balanced coverage,” said Sam Mustaca, CEO, United Cinemas. “We are delighted with the remarkable job and would like to extend our gratitude to everyone involved in the project. Continuing our partnership with HARMAN, we plan to convert the Grand Theatre into a live performance venue in the near future, using BSS signal processors.”

“As a venue that seeks to pioneer novel movie-going experiences, United Cinemas required a reliable, state-of-the-art cinema audio solution,” said G. Amar Subash, VP & GM, HARMAN Professional Solutions, APAC. “We would like to thank United Cinemas for letting us help them provide a premium audio experience to their audience.”

Cali Beach Club Offers Luxury Oceanside Experiences with HARMAN Professional Solutions

Mon, 07 Mar 2022 09:00:00 +0000

GOLD COAST, Australia—HARMAN Professional Solutions recently partnered with Prestige Group and MadisonAV to outfit Cali Beach Club with state-of-the-art weather-resistant audio solutions for top-notch sound in outdoor conditions.

Cali Beach Club is a $10 million Ibiza-inspired beach club in the heart of Surfers Paradise. Surrounded by residential development, the venue showcases a new type of beach club with pools, open-air spaces, outdoor deck areas and cabanas overlooking the picturesque Gold Coast beach. In order to deliver immersive audio experiences for its guests while minimizing noise pollution for its neighbors, Cali Beach hired MadisonAV and the Prestige Group to design and install a complete HARMAN audio distribution system consisting of JBL Professional loudspeakers and Crown amplifiers.

“Cali Beach is the first of its kind,” said Matthew Keegan, Partner, Artesian Hospitality. “It offers multiple restaurant options, a beach volleyball court, an outdoor cinema and more. The club has neighbors right next door, and there are no walls or roofs to assist in managing noise levels. We needed a sound system that would mitigate unwanted dispersion while maximizing the quality of the sound within the venue. We’ve been very happy with the JBL system. It’s been an extremely smooth experience working with both Prestige and MadisonAV. They faced a challenging task, and we’re very happy with the results.”

Prestige Group and MadisonAV designed a unique, open-air audio setup that included 80 loudspeakers, including many in nearfield positions to minimize spill outside the venue. The team outfitted the outdoor cinema and main DJ area with left and right arrays of JBL CBT70J-1 and 70JE-1 column speakers to achieve high output levels with decent pattern control and extended bass response. They also installed highly weather-resistant AWC15LF loudspeakers below the screen in the cinema area and on a circular truss in the DJ area. Additionally, the team included AWC82 speakers as rear fills in the DJ area to deliver excellent clarity for speech and music.

In the cabanas, MadisonAV and Prestige installed JBL AWC62 full-range loudspeakers, while JBL AWC82 all-weather loudspeakers occupy the bars and booths. In the pool area, JBL-CBT-1000 loudspeakers provide asymmetrical vertical coverage. Crown CDi Series amplifiers power the entire system, and BSS signal processors with BLU Link networking offer low-latency operation and responsive controls.

“The three most crucial goals were weatherproofing, achieving tight pattern control and making it sound great—given that we’re right next to the beach,” said Nathan Wright, General Manager, Prestige Group. “JBL ticked all the boxes. JBL’s weatherproof speakers have the right SPL specifications for the project, including the speaker dimensions, dispersion characteristics and frequency responses that we needed. We used a combination of CBT column speakers and AWC full-range coaxial speakers. They worked seamlessly to create the right audio experience for everyone.”

"A one-of-a-kind venue like Cali Beach Club requires an audio solution that gives the venue an edge," said Amar Subash, Director, Channel Management and Audio Solutions, HARMAN Professional Solutions, APAC. "We thank Prestige Group and MadisonAV for meeting the challenges of the venue and ensuring elevated experiences for everyone who visits the club."

Crown by HARMAN Announces New Q-Sys Monitoring Plugins, BIM Objects and 2D and 3D Drawings

Wed, 02 Mar 2022 09:00:00 +0000

NORTHRIDGE, Calif. — HARMAN Professional Solutions, the global leader in audio, video, lighting and control, announced new updates that expand its Crown DCi and I-Tech HD system integration options, allowing designers to fully integrate Crown’s flagship devices into their modern workflow. The update includes new QSC Q-SYS plugins, new BIM objects, and updated 2D and 3D drawings.

UPDATE 1: New Q-Sys Monitoring Plugins Now Available

Allows systems powered by Crown DCi and I-Tech HD amplifiers to fully integrate into QSC Q-Sys solutions and provide high-level access to critical parameters for real-time monitoring and system supervision
Monitored functions include metering, fault monitoring, and output load supervision
Access to parameters for configuring pilot tone load monitoring
Preset recall functionality
All parameters accessible via Pins
Integrates into Q-Sys event logging functionality
NOTE: The existing HARMAN HiQnet Audio Architect and JBL Performance Manager software applications are required for system configuration
The new Q-Sys plugins can be downloaded from the DCi Q-Sys Plugin software page or the I-Tech HD Q-Sys Plugin software page
This video offers an overview of the plugin features.

UPDATE 2: New BIM Objects and 2D and 3D Drawings

New BIM (Building Information Modeling) models are now available for all Crown DCi and I-Tech-HD models, enabling accurate project visualization and data modeling
These new BIM files enable architects, building engineers, and system designers to represent Crown amplifiers and many of their attributes in Revit models
Additionally, updated 2D and 3D CAD models are now available for inclusion in other popular CAD software like AutoCAD, Sketchup, Vectorworks, etc.
The new BIM models and drawings can be downloaded from the Downloads> Software section of any Crown DCi or I-Tech HD amplifier product detail page

Nakhon Ratchasima Sports Complex Enhances the Audience Experience With Powerful HARMAN Audio Solutions

Wed, 15 Dec 2021 09:00:00 +0000

NAKHON RATCHASIMA, Thailand—To provide spectators at the Nakhon Ratchasima Sports Complex an immersive and exciting entertainment experience, Mahajak Development Co., Ltd. installed a range of cutting-edge HARMAN Professional audio solutions.

Home to the Nakhonratchasima Mazda Football Club, the Nakhon Ratchasima Sports Complex is the fourth biggest stadium in Thailand and hosted the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in 2007. That same year, King Rama IX bestowed the complex’s name during an overlap between the SEA Games and the king’s birthday. The stadium area comprises the Nakhon Ratchasima FC football field, which is surrounded by a grandstand with a single roof on one side. The facility currently has a seating capacity of 25,000, but will be upgraded to 45,000 in the future.

Mahajak Development Co., Ltd. reported that the complex’s organizers requested a new high-output audio system capable of providing clear, intelligible sound with reduced reverberation during games and events. The main challenge was that the audio system needed to be installed on the roof, which only covered one side of the complex, but also had to deliver sound coverage to every seat in the stadium. To meet these challenges and requirements, Mahajak deployed dynamic and weather-resistant JBL Professional speakers, Crown audio amplifiers, Soundcraft consoles and BSS signal processors for wide coverage, ample output and easy-to-use controls.

For speakers, the Mahajak team selected JBL PD500 Series loudspeakers to cover the roof side of the grandstand and JBL Variable Line Array Compact Series line array loudspeakers to cover the rest of the venue. Designed for a variety of venues including sports facilities, the PD500 Series speakers feature four horn-loaded 15-inch, two-way systems and a dual 15-inch subwoofer for a full dynamic range and consistent coverage. The JBL Variable Line Array Compact Series speakers are ideal for long-throw applications. Crown DCi Series amplifiers with network monitoring function power the speakers, and the BSS BLU-100 signal processor offers flexible system configuration and management. The Soundcraft Si Impact digital mixing console controls the system and supports easy-to-use external wireless control for the complex’s staff.

In addition to the under balcony, the Mahajak installation team also installed JBL Control 29AV-1 speakers, powered by a Crown CDi series amplifier and configured using a dbx VENU360 signal processor, in the corridor outside of the stadium for clear and high-quality background audio.

Nakhon Ratchasima Sports Complex reported that the new audio systems meet organizers’ crucial standards of reliability, durability and flexibility. A coherent and powerful speaker system was especially essential given the stadium’s structural challenges, but HARMAN’s cutting-edge, easy-to-use audio systems delivered beyond their expectations.

“A unique, historical venue like Nakhon Ratchasima Sports Complex requires powerful audio systems to enliven the fan experience and create an exciting atmosphere during sports events, competitions and concerts,” said Amar Subash, Director, Channel Management and Audio Solutions, HARMAN Professional Solutions, APAC. “We would like to thank our partner Mahajak Development for delivering yet another successful project and resolving the challenges with innovation and proficiency.”