NT Series Is "Simply Outstanding" For John Senior Sound
"NT Series loudspeakers are simply outstanding for reinforcing whatever style of music is being presented. They’re able to bring out both the subtlety and the impact of more delicate acoustic music like bluegrass, but they’re equally adept with rock ‘n’ roll and any other style you can name.” – John Senior
John Senior didn't get into the sound reinforcement business until last year, but he's making up for lost time by doing it right. Among the first gear joining the inventory of John Senior Sound, based in Paradise, California, is six EAW NT Series loudspeakers.
Senior (pictured above along with an NT Series array deployed at a recent festival) is a performing bluegrass musician who decided to provide live sound reinforcement for the specialized needs of acoustic instrument music forms such as bluegrass. Rather than blindly making the leap to invest in the first gear that came along, instead he did a good deal of research and also worked with Leo Gunther, head of Leo Gunther Enterprises of Orland, California, who recommended evaluating the EAW NT Series.
Very much liking what he heard, Senior chose six NT26 loudspeakers to serve as the basis of his main sound reinforcement system, joined by six EAW EP1 subwoofers. He recently deployed these loudspeakers and the rest of his new system at the annual “Bluegrassin’ In The Foothills” festival in Plymouth, California. Featuring top bluegrass acts over the course of three days, the event proved a great test for his new rig.
It passed with flying colors, meeting with rave reviews from the audience and organizers alike, including promoter Larry Baker of L & S Promotions, who’s also a coordinator for the California Bluegrass Association. "Literally 30 people who have been up to their necks in bluegrass music for more than 25 years told me it was the best sound they had ever heard at a bluegrass festival," Senior notes.
Specifically, the system was comprised of dual arrays flown left and right, each comprised of three NT26 loudspeakers in a relatively tight array pack, with Gunther providing consultation on optimizing the array structure and configuration. Two EP1 subs per side resided beneath the mains, with the system easily capable of blanketing the entire listening area. (The above photo shows the festival layout.)
"There was smooth, even coverage from front to back and side to side. I walked the entire grounds, and there were no hot or dead spots, just beautiful solid full-range sound reinforcement throughout," he notes. "We even had people coming from as far as the front gate to deliver compliments."
Based upon this success, Baker contracted John Senior Sound to do a larger bluegrass festival in March in Arizona, with Senior planning to expand his system with more NT Series loudspeakers to serve the event. He adds that his company is also being hired for an increasing number of local events, with business doubling every month.
"It’s just so great to be able to bring true studio quality sound to a large-scale live audience, and on a consistent basis. The NT Series delivers that capability," Senior concludes. "I've had the great fortune to meet a lot of good sound people who have given me some fantastic advice. This business is great - every gig is like Christmas Eve."