The Melrose Ballroom in Astoria, New York opened its doors in early March to rave reviews. New EAW loudspeakers provide the audio backbone of this new high-end entertainment spot.
The owners of the 8,000-square-foot event, concert and performance venue felt the cultural district needed a space equipped to handle everything from small private parties to rock and roll concerts. With three floors and a capacity of 1,200, the Melrose more than fits the bill.
Realizing that an outstanding sound system would tie directly to the success of their venture, the owners contacted Audio Spectrum, located in Boston, to design and install a new sound reinforcement system for the venue.
“The Ballroom’s main live performance area boasts a powerful line array system made up of EAW KF Series enclosures,” explains Rafael Jaimes, president of Audio Spectrum. “The elegant DJ lounge on the upper floor features EAW Avalon loudspeakers to entertain prestigious clients. The loudspeakers fill the spaces effortlessly and produce flawless audio.”
The main room features two left-right hangs of KF740 line arrays – each consisting of six 3-way enclosures – hung to the left and right of the stage.
The compact KF740 provides excellent pattern control via dual 62mm voice coil HF compression drivers and dual 8-in Concentric Summation Array (CSA) loaded MF transducers integrated through a common horn that occupies the entire face of the enclosure. The result is full, even sound in the spacious two-story room.
Five EAW VFR89i two-way, full range loudspeakers make up a delay system that provides side and rear fill – mostly for the back of the room and portions of the mezzanine seating area. The 90 x 50 coverage pattern blankets the area. Jamies notes that the VFR89i loudspeakers “match perfectly with the KF740s to produce even, consistent sound throughout the entire performance space.”
A center flown cardioid subwoofer cluster of four EAW SB2001s provides the driving low end dance music demands. The compact, high output dual 21-inch cone driver subwoofer is a powerful workhouse that has greater impact, power handling and output than larger subs. Its small footprint made it ideal to hang in the mid-sized venue.
“The original design for the ballroom’s main performance area did not call for a line array,” Jaimes says. “But the fact that bands now demand such configurations combined with my hands-on experience with EAW KF Series line arrays convinced me this was the system they were looking for.”
“As a result, we proposed the new system based on the KF740 enclosures,” he says. “Between its weight and sound output (141 dB SPL) it makes a remarkably efficient and compact line array. Its midrange throw reaches way into the back of the hall.”
Audio Spectrum also provided an Avid VENUE SC48 at front-of-house and Lab.gruppen amplifiers to power the system. EAW Focused processing is delivered via two UX8800 DSP also located at FOH.
Upstairs, the rooftop Lounge boasts plenty of low end and mid-range punch compliments of Avalon by EAW loudspeakers. Three CLUB.four loudspeakers joined by two CLUB.three models are arranged to cover all areas of the indoor/outdoor space. Both of these full-range models feature coaxial designs, with each CLUB.four also housing 12-inch woofer and each CLUB.three sporting a 15-inch woofer, both enhanced by tuned spacing designs.
Even more LF response is delivered by dual Avalon SUB.two subwoofers with a unique hybrid design — 2 x 12-inch on a bent bass horn and single 21-inch vented — to deliver both extreme extension and the massive physical impact.
Avalon by EAW loudspeakers specifically maximize output, clarity and impact in an aesthetically pleasing package that blends seamlessly into the décor.
“The Avalon speakers in the lounge are exactly what that space needs,” says Jaimes. “Those boxes produce excellent coverage for club-style events and their sound clarity and bass are outstanding.”
Since its opening the Melrose Ballroom has been packed with patrons. Live band performances sell out on a regular basis. The owners could not be more excited about their new business and the high-quality EAW sound that keeps bringing the customers back for more.
