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The worship center at Calvary Church of Santa Anna (California) now benefits from a new sound reinforcement system offering concert-type performance and functionality, headed by EAW KF730 compact, high-output line array loudspeakers.
Gates Sound, based in nearby Buena Park, California, is headed by Doug Gates, who has successfully transitioned his work in live sound to a thriving installation business, counting work with churches as a primary specialty. On this project, he worked closely with Calvary Church Technical Arts Director Trevor Behrns in devising a system solution and then making it a reality.
 The biggest challenge is the width of the room, which requires well over 100 degrees of horizontal coverage from the loudspeakers. Three leading line array models, all providing wide enough coverage for this application, were identified and subsequently brought in for evaluation in the worship center.
A group of church representatives made the final decision based upon this direct comparison, choosing EAW KF730 small-format line arrays that offer 110-degree horizontal dispersion and plenty of output despite their compact footprint. Each KF730 includes dual 1.75-inch-voice-coil compression drivers and dual 7-inch cone drivers both working with a mid-/high-frequency horn that fills the entire face of the enclosure, maintaining horizontal pattern control throughout the MF/HF pass-band.
In addition, the low-frequency section offers EAW’s proprietary Phase Aligned design that extends the full 110 degrees of horizontal coverage all the way down to 160 Hz. The design also spaces the dual 10-inch LF cone drivers so that their bandwidth matches that of the MF through crossover.
 “What we wanted, and what has been delivered by the KF730’s, is a really full, warm sound signature,” Behrns says. “We didn’t need gigantic rock music levels, even though this system can deliver it, but rather, full-bandwidth and very even coverage at every seat, without variance. When someone would complain about the old system, we’d ask ‘where did you sit?’ because the coverage was so spotty. We don’t have to worry about that anymore.”
EAW KF730 Wizard software provided an assist in determining array structure, cabinet count and aiming. Audio Geer, EAW’s sales representative firm for the region, provided support on this facet, and later returned to offer an assist with final tuning and analysis, deploying SIA Smaart-Live.
 The system is configured in stereo, with left and right line arrays made up of seven modules each, flown above the very far sides of the stage. Modeling had shown this approach to be optimum in terms of coverage, except for a slight “hole” in mid-/high-frequency presence at the very front/center seats. The small gap was addressed with dual KF730 modules flown centrally above the front of the stage, tucked tightly up to the ceiling. (Trevor - at left - and Doug are shown in the adjacent photo.)
Standard KF730 flying hardware was used to securely fix the arrays to a load-rated beam traversing the stage. Splay brackets included in the hardware package allowed the installers to easily fix the splay angles between enclosures.
“This was really an easy install as far as the loudspeakers,” Gates notes. “The arrays go together very easily and the hardware is precise and solid.”
 The Bainbridge (Washington) Performing Arts Playhouse, a purpose-built live entertainment venue, recently received a new sound reinforcement system, designed and installed by Flamingo Audio, featuring EAW NT Series loudspeakers.
Located in downtown Bainbridge and originally opened in 1993, The Playhouse, with 254 seats, annually hosts a busy schedule of live theatrical, musical, orchestral and other productions. The original house sound system lasted until earlier this year, when an upgrade was sought.
Brad Walker, president of Flamingo Audio which is based in nearby Poulsbo, Washington, worked closely with Mark Sell, technical director at The Playhouse, in order to formulate the ideal system for the space. Goals included consistent coverage at every seat in the house, as well as dramatically improved vocal clarity and better overall full-range capability for reinforcing music.
“The previous system is what would commonly be termed as ‘beamy.’ It was difficult to get a balanced sound where everyone was pleased, and we had to apply a lot of equalization to attain any sort of consistency,” Sell explains.
 Several leading loudspeaker models were ”auditioned” for the new system, and out of this process, EAW NT Series two-way powered (biamplified) models were chosen as most suitable. Specifically, two model NT29 12-inch-loaded loudspeakers are flown left and right from the front lighting truss above the stage, carefully positioned to provide coverage to the entire audience area.
The NT Series incorporates an innovative new DSP technology called Gunness Focusing, named after it’s inventor, EAW Director of Research & Development David Gunness. In a nutshell, Gunness Focusing corrects the sonic problems inherent in conventional compression driver phase plugs, horns, and low-frequency driver technology to achieve performance comparable to premium direct radiating studio monitors, but at much higher output levels needed for sound reinforcement applications.
 “These loudspeakers are really flat, almost to a surprising degree – even a die-hard fan of a competitor in the demo process had to admit that he was impressed,” Walker says. “I call this a ‘typical’ EAW loudspeaker design, meaning that the NT Series offers good directivity at high frequencies but maintains consistent beamwidth through the crossover point.”
The amplifiers onboard the NT29 loudspeakers offer a high-pass filter switch for crossover to a subwoofer or to minimize proximity effect in voice reinforcement. A fixed low-pass filter along with separate gain and polarity switches allows further optimization of the crossover.
Positioned at the far ends of the lighting truss, the main loudspeakers are flown with standard hardware, with a pullback point to set the appropriate downward tilt. Walker adds that the profile of the boxes is so compact (22.6 inches by 15.inches) that they’re virtually invisible to the audience.
To bolster low-end support, a single Mackie SWA1501 single-15-inch-loaded active powered subwoofer is positioned at about the midway point of stage left. In addition, dual EAW Commercial V61 compact loudspeakers are flown from the truss, angled back toward the stage to provide downfill coverage to the performers
 All loudspeakers receive audio signal from the other key component in the new system, a Mackie TT24 digital mixing console, with its 24 inputs easily accommodating the venue’s 12 existing UHF wireless microphone systems with plenty of input channels to spare. The TT24 also provides enough processing capability to eliminate the need for additional outboard units.
“A board like the TT24 includes so many useful features for a situation like ours, such as snapshots, mute groups, onboard effects and additional aux sends – just to name a few,” Sell says. “It’s also very user-friendly while retaining a lot of flexibility.”
Following installation, Walker performed some rudimentary tuning of the system, utilizing SIA SmaartLive for analysis. “Plug and play was definitely the motto of this process,” Walker concludes. “Mark’s vision was to raise the audio performance benchmark in this region, with components like the EAW NT Series and the Mackie TT24 allowing this to be done fairly easily. It’s amazing how much we can now offer in terms of both improved functionality and sound quality, and with far less hassle and complexity than ever before.”
 Fenway Park in Boston, the oldest ballpark in the U.S., underwent a facelift prior to the 2006 season, a process that included a new sound reinforcement system headlined by a wide range of EAW custom and standard loudspeakers.
The system, designed by WJHW of Dallas and installed by Boston Light & Sound (Mark & Zeke of Boston Light & Sound are pictured below), provides outstanding coverage to every seat in Fenway Park's decidedly non-symmetrical layout. The main grandstand and expansive bleachers are both covered by groupings of MK Series and AX Series loudspeakers, with other custom and standard EAW models helping solve problems at some decidedly tough locations. Various luxury clubs and seating areas are served by a range of EAW Commercial CIS400 and CIS300 ceiling loudspeakers, while the house system is headed by a Mackie Onyx console posted at the system control position.
 Located in the chic, affluent suburb of Lonehill, Sequoias is undoubtedly one of Johannesburg's hottest openings of the year. Owner Shelley Chadwick, a South African ex-pat now living in Washington, DC, conceptualized the new venue by drawing inspiration from the likes of legendary clubs worldwide such as PURE in Las Vegas, Red Square in Russia, and Tangerine in the UK. The result is the ultimate cocktail and dining experience enhanced by a state-of-the-art EAW audio system installed by the area's premier pro audio specialist, Surgesound.
The architecture and design concept of the new venue is nothing short of stunning, including a bar counter made of solid ice, which keeps the cocktails cool while patrons enjoy the spectacular views across Johannesburg. Chadwick was determined to install an audio system that would do her new venture justice.
"While living in the US, I had the occasion to hear several EAW systems, and knew that when I came to South Africa, EAW would be my first choice for audio," statedsChadwick. "I wanted only the best products for my new venue, especially in the audio department. From what I'd heard in the States, I was fairly confident that EAW could deliver on my expectations. I selected locally-based audio distribution company, Surgesound, to carry out the installation, and they've done a great job. I'm thoroughly impressed with the performance and quality of the new system."
 Surgesound installed four LA212 two-way, full range cabinets into the bar and dance floor area. Each cabinet comprised a 12-inch woofer and 3-inch voice coil compression driver. Completing the system was an FR250z dual 15-inch sub in a vented enclosure installed under the DJ booth.
EAW Commercial products were selected for the restaurant, balcony and VIP area in a combination of four SMS4 compact trapezoidal high output loudspeakers; two CIS50 twin cone ceiling speakers with 70/100V transformer taps; and finally no less than thirteen CIS400 ceiling speakers reputed for their studio monitor-like sound quality. The entire system is powered by Lab Gruppen C Series amplifiers with processing courtesy of an EAW MX8750 2-in 8-out digital processor.
Surgesound's Andrew Rowan is extremely pleased with the outcome. "The system we configured for Sequoias was carefully planned to the last detail according to the venue's specific requirements," notes Rowan. "We had to create powerful, yet crystal clear sound for the dance floor and bar areas, so EAW components offered us the ideal solution. The priority for the restaurant, balcony and VIP areas was less power but impeccable audio quality, for which EAW Commercial was the obvious choice. The result is a world class audio system which is perfectly suited to the high class surroundings and atmosphere of Sequoias."
 LOUD Technologies has appointed Jeffrey Cox to the position of vice president of the EAW brand group. As the new business leader for the EAW brand, Cox will be responsible for defining and leading all business and product strategies, including collaborating with LOUD sales, engineering, operations and marketing teams to ensure the deployment of these plans worldwide.
Cox brings to EAW a proven track record of introducing industry-defining sound reinforcement products and building highly successful business organizations around them. As the founder and CEO of Cox Audio Engineering, he was responsible for the introduction and manufacturing of the L-Acoustics V-DOSC Line Array, a product that caused a paradigm shift in loudspeaker formatting which completely altered modern-day touring and installed systems.
“I couldn’t be happier that Jeff has agreed to head EAW,“ commented Ken Berger, senior vice president at EAW’s parent company LOUD Technologies and EAW co-founder.“ He and I share a similar respect for industry relationships and the importance of customer service. We have both built successful companies on the foundation of these principles.”
Berger continued, “I have tremendous confidence in Jeff’s ability to serve EAW customers and to represent the brand within the LOUD organization. His direction will add tremendous focus and momentum to our market leading product development efforts as well as brand messaging, and as such, further solidify EAW’s leadership position within the live sound market.”
Cox added, “EAW is an industry leader and one of the most respected brands in sound reinforcement. I have long held a great deal of admiration for the EAW team and their ability to use technology and innovation to stay well ahead of their competition.”
“When they made me the offer to work with this talented team, I simply couldn’t refuse,” Cox continued. “Particularly now that I can call upon the extensive engineering resources at LOUD, as EAW sets forth to once again expand the boundaries of professional sound.”
In his new position, Cox will work out of LOUD Technologies’ worldwide headquarters in Woodinville, Washington and will report directly to LOUD’s senior vice president of marketing and product development Ken Berger.
Cox is the third of four brand leaders in LOUD’s new brand management structure. This new structure aligns Company resources to better support LOUD’s growing family of music instrument and professional audio brands. Doug White joined LOUD Technologies earlier this year as vice president of the new MI brand group, which encompasses the Ampeg, Crate, TAPCO and Alvarez lines.
In addition to the EAW and MI brand groups, LOUD is in the process of filling a leadership position for the Mackie brand. The fourth group, known as the Distribution brand group, is headed by Brandon Foster from LOUD’s St. Louis office, and encompasses Knilling string instruments and SLM Marketplace, a music accessory mail-order service for independent dealers.
Press Contact
Kyle Ritland
Public Relations Manager
T 800-258-6883, ext. 6352
E kyler@loudtechinc.com
 Christian City Church Whitehorse recently opened it's new home in Vermont, Victoria, Austrialia with a new 1,000-seat auditorium has been fitted out with a new sound reinforcement system by Mozaix, a boutique AV systems integrator.
The system, designed by Paul Horwood of Mozaix with review and loudspeaker selection assistance from Graeme Stevenson of Production Audio Services, was modeled with EASE prediction software and is headlined by EAW AS Series and other loudspeaker models as well as XTA processing, Powersoft amplification and an APB Dynasonics audio mixing console.
 The loudspeaker system is a flown stereo configuration, each cluster consisting of two AS460e mid/high modules either side of a single AS422e low-frequency module and an MK8196e mounted under each cluster for down fill. Six EAW Commericial VR61 stage lip loudspeakers support the flown clusters and two FR250z subwoofers take care of low frequency duties, with four MK2194e loudspeakers will be introduced for balcony delay when stage two of the project is implemented.
XTA DP6i digital loudspeaker processors take care of crossover, alignment, equalisation and limiting duties for the system. The DP6i's feed signals into a combination of Powersoft 7000, Q4004 and LQ2804 amplifiers. The use of Powersoft amplifiers for this project has meant power consumption and heat are significantly reduced due to the Class-D amplifier design and equipment racking space has been significantly reduced over conventional amplifiers.
This project has been a pleasure to be involved in, from early discussions with the church and production audio Services to the final fit out" states Paul Horwood, adding "Comprehensive meetings with the church meant we could balance all the pressures of performance, budget and construction to deliver an outcome that has exceeded the church 's expectation. We're all pretty pumped."
With stage one of the main auditorium now completed, implementation of stage two, audio to the balcony seating is in progress.
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