L-ACOUSTICS KIVA System Installed into Helsinki Music Centre

L-ACOUSTICS' Finnish distributor and system integrator Starlike has recently installed a KIVA line source system into the main hall of the new Helsinki Music Centre. The primary users of the hall will be the Radio Symphony Orchestra (YLE/The Finnish Broadcasting Company), Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra and Sibelius Academy. The 1,700-seat hall is also in demand for other types of music; for example, the Finnish cello rock band Apocalyptica has been booked to play the venue when it opens later this year.

"The objective was to maintain even SPL and smooth tonal balance for all sections," says Starlike's Pauli Molnar. "This led to the choice of speakers with similar physical properties: consistent tonal balance and technology. An L-Acoustics line source system was deemed to be the ideal choice as the modularity of its curvature ensures excellent homogeneity of coverage, even tonal balance and adequate SPL throughout the audience."

The system is configured as front, rear, and side sound sources located in the ceiling, flown on the canopy at a height of approximately 50' above ground level. The central cluster provides excellent definition and clarity for the furthest members of the audience in the concert hall, the company says.

Two hangs of nine Kivas have been flown from the canopy, providing even coverage for the front audience areas until intersecting with the existing front fills. A further two hangs of eight Kivas are flown at the same height to cover rear audience areas, while two hangs of six Kivas at the same height cover the side audience areas.

Two vertically mounted SB18i subwoofers behind the front line arrays provide 360-degree directivity for various applications while minimizing low frequency energy on stage. The system is powered by five LA8 amplified controllers.

An additional coaxial system of eight L-Acoustics 12XTs, powered by four LA4s, will be used as floor monitors and for other point source applications.