KF730 Enhances Fine Arts Performance In Michigan
The new 1,600-seat Fine Arts Auditorium at East Kentwood High School in Michigan ranks with any performance space in the U.S. in terms of acoustics and sound quality, featuring a system headed by EAW KF730 compact line arrays in left-center-right configuration, accompanied by SB730P flown subwoofers.
The system was specified by Acoustics By Design, a noted acoustical and system consulting firm based in nearby Grand Rapids, Michigan, with Tim Hamilton taking the point on the project - a complete renovation of an original facility that opened in 1969.
Hamilton worked closely with Rick Westers, a veteran of more than 20 years in teaching production at the school in addition to serving as a free-lance sound engineer. After a great deal of discussion, Hamilton and Westers decided a line array approach would be appropriate for the space, which hosts a busy schedule of national concert and theatrical tours in addition to serving school production needs and functioning as a learning environment for students. (Westers and Hamilton are pictured at left.)
"I've always been a big EAW fan in general, and really like the sound quality and coverage provided by the KF760 line arrays," Westers notes. "But they would be a bit too much for this room, so I was thrilled when the KF730 was introduced. Following a live, working demo of KF730's for a gig I mixed at Michigan International Speedway, I knew the 730's were something very special."
This is the first experience he's had with the SB730 subwoofers, and he's impressed. Dual SB730 subs are mounted at the catwalk level adjacent to the left and right KF730 arrays. "I'm pleased. While I always love the double-18 power of the (EAW) SB1000's, these subs are perfect for this application, doing a great job while being up off the floor and out of the way."
Hamilton performed EASE modeling as part of the system configuration process. The KF730's are able to provide complete full-range coverage from the front row to the back, without need for additional delay loudspeakers that can overcomplicate systems of this nature, while also adding cost.
"There's definitely no need for delay with this system," Hamilton notes. "That's one of the big advantages of a premium line array system like the KF730, where you're guaranteed solid, tight coverage throughout a room of this size and overall large volume."
"There's probably only a dB or two of difference in levels provided by the system from the front seats all the way back," Westers adds.
After more than two decades of working with subpar equipment in an older room, Westers is more than pleased with both the new facility and it's high-end sound reinforcment system, which also includes a couple of EAW SM109z compact stage wedges that can be deployed when needed.
"This system fits the essense of exactly what is needed for every production that appears on this stage," he concludes. "The sound quality, fidelity and coverage are at the highest capacity, and the system is very well designed now and for the future."