Meyer Sound JM-1P at Pennsylvania's Sellersville Theatre

Its unusual foundations are an essential part of the story behind Sellersville Theatre, which was previously a livery stable built in 1894 and has since been transformed into a 300-capacity listening room for classic rock, hard blues, jazz, and New Age music, among other genres. A recent upgrade features four Meyer Sound JM-1P arrayable loudspeakers.

Daniel Faga, the venue's technical director, says, "At first we thought we'd book mostly acoustic artists, like bluegrass bands and singer-songwriters. But then the shows gradually became more diverse, including hard rock and reggae. At a certain volume, the old system just ran out of gas."

As designed and installed by Coatesville, Pennsylvania-based DBS Audio Systems, the upgrade comprises dual 500-HP subwoofers and twin clusters of two-each JM-1P loudspeakers, each with a UPJ-1P VariO loudspeaker for downfill. A Galileo loudspeaker management system and a Galileo 616 processor supplies drive and optimization.

"The Meyer system was a major investment, but it was a smart business move," says William Quigley, the theatre's co-owner. "In the short term, we have great sound for our patrons, and over the long run we're building a reputation as a must-play venue for top-tier acts."

The playbill at the venue has so far included Buckwheat Zydeco, Wishbone Ash, Jimmy Thackery and The Drivers, Larry Coryell, Ottmar Liebert, and more.

"Our patrons have noticed the change. I hear comments like 'It just sounds like a million bucks in here now,'" remarks Faga. "I just got off the phone with the tour manager for a top bluegrass group. When I told him about our new Meyer Sound system, he said, 'That's great, we're happy, no more questions.' I could almost see him smiling over the phone."