Quebec’s Place Bell has installed one of the first NEXO line array systems in North America to be specified for a large arena. The 10,000-seat amphitheatre located in Laval, Quebec, was officially opened on September 1, the culmination of a major development initiative to provide local residents with a multi-function complex used for sporting and musical events such as Cirque Du Soleil, Marvel Universe Life, The Scorpions, and The Killers. The arena will also be available for presentations and community activities, as well as being home to the Rocket De Laval hockey team.
Installed by Montreal-based company TKNL, the new NEXO system contains 14x clusters, and each cluster is configured with 3x GEO S1210 line array boxes, 2x S1230s, flown below 2x LS18 subs. 4x PS15 R2 point source cabinets cover the ice rink/floor portion, and 2x STM M28s omnipurpose modules from the STM Series of modular line array cabinets serve as monitors.
“It took approximately six months for the completion of the main PA, secondary PA, and all of the IP TV network,” states Stephane Laurin, the business development manager at TKNL. “We determined that the NEXO system was the best solution for this venue. One of the key criteria in this project was intelligibility that is part of NEXO’s technical prowess. Like all arenas, we had to deal with concrete that causes reverb. So, we needed to install a large number of NEXO speakers in order to cover every section. This type of environment requires highly directive speakers solely focused on the listening experience for everyone attending events in the arena.”
Laurin confirmed the NEXO system’s sonic performance had met Place Bell’s high expectations. “The uniformity of the sound is amazing regardless of where you are seated in the amphitheater. We are more than happy with both the products and the services received from NEXO and Yamaha on this project. To me, the sure sign of success is when everyone is happy with the final product. The entire team helped to make this install happen in order to provide seamless sound for the audience.”
For more information on TKNL, visit www.tknl.com/en.
For more information on NEXO products, visit www.yamahaproaudio.com