French audio-visual integration specialists Atelier du Son et de l’Image (ADSI) love projects that are a little out of the ordinary and have provided many tailor-made AV solutions in visitor attractions across France, including a NEXO sound system at the world-famous Musée Grévin wax museum in Paris.
Back in 2024, ADSI Chargé d’affaire Bertrand Gazi called in NEXO’s Engineering Support team to demo a proposed new sound system to operators of the Grotte St Marcel and their scenography partners Creafactory.
With 60 km of galleries, the Grotte St Marcel is one of the biggest caves in France where visitors discover huge halls following a former underground river in a 400m long circuit, with the experience heightened by spectacular sound and light shows.
“Everyone was very impressed by the ePS12/eLS18 system we demo’d for far-field FX and audio-for-video projection, and the ID14s for near-field voiceover and tour explanation” recalls NEXO’s David Hochtstenbach. “But what I remember most from that day was the high level of humidity which permanently killed my laptop!.”
ADSI completed the installation a year later of a system comprising 6 each of NEXO’s EN54-rated ePS12 and ePS10 speakers with 3 x eLS18 subs, and a total of 18 of NEXO’s ultra-compact ID14s. All cabinets are finished in custom RAL colours to blend into their surroundings and permanent fixture to the cave walls using mounting brackets was strictly prohibited, so speakers are freestanding amongst the rocks, many dripping with water.
So, how would the system hold up in such extreme conditions? Last week, NEXO Quality Director Cyril Picard visited the Grotte St Marcel to find out.
“During development the ePS-EN54 speakers were subjected to 800 hours of salt spray and 600 hours UV testing, although UV was clearly not going to be an issue 400 metres underground” reports Cyril.
“From the use of high-grade A4 stainless-steel screws to UV-protected cloth and polyurethane coatings, every detail has been considered.
“Even so, this was a unique opportunity to inspect the system after almost a year of continuous use in more than 80% humidity. All of the cabinets were completely soaked but still functioning perfectly.”
For further information on Atelier du Son et de l’Image, visit: adsi24.com
For further information Grotte St Marcel on visit: grotte-saint-marcel.com/fr
