Renkus-Heinz C Series Delivers First-Class Sound at Mahindra University Auditorium

Mahindra University is a top-ranked private university in Hyderabad, Telangana, India. With courses spanning engineering, law, media, and design, the university is recognized for academic excellence and high-tech facilities. An integral part of the campus is the Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam Auditorium, a multipurpose space developed as part of a wider campus expansion and used for events, musical performances, seminars, and daily classroom lectures. To support both teaching and cultural programming, the university installed a Renkus-Heinz C Series point source system, designed to deliver speech intelligibility and high-quality sound across every application.

The design brings together two passive CX151B Complex Conic loudspeakers, ten compact, passive coaxial CX61B loudspeakers, and ten DRS18-2B subwoofers, creating a full-range reinforcement solution that provides even coverage, control output and reliable intelligibility throughout the 1,100-seat space.

System design and specification were led by Sriram B.R., design director at AV consultancy firm Sonics, with CMPPL responsible for integration. Alphatec, Renkus-Heinz's local distributor, supported setup and commissioning, while Audio-Technica microphones improved voice capture and audience interaction. "The large hall required an audio system that delivers strong coverage without adding unnecessary complexity or visual intrusion," explains Sriram. "Before the new system was installed, students had to share microphones during lectures and sessions, so improving voice reinforcement was also an important consideration."

"The auditorium is an enclosed, air-conditioned space with no windows, making acoustic control especially important," he continues. "We worked closely with the architects to ensure loudspeaker placement met both acoustic and aesthetic requirements. By integrating the system around the stage and proscenium area, with key elements mounted high above the front of the stage, we were able to direct sound precisely into the raked seating area while maintaining clear front-to-back coverage and minimizing visual impact. The compact C Series form factor made this easier."

Acoustic containment was also central to the design. "It was imperative that the sound stayed within the auditorium to avoid excessive sound spill," explains Narasa Raju, manager at Tech Mahindra. "The new system ensures every note and every word can be heard clearly within the room, without leaking into surrounding areas of the campus."

System control is managed via Dante and a touch panel with presets, allowing university staff to operate the room with ease. "Only a small amount of training was needed, and staff now benefit from smooth day-to-day operation," says Raju. "The intuitive system gives us confidence that, whatever the room is being used for, the sound will perform exactly as required."

Beyond the loudspeaker system, the auditorium was equipped with a wider AV infrastructure, including wireless microphones, a pass-around microphone, mixing, DSP, switching, video systems, screens and cameras to support teaching, presentations, and event production.

The overall installation was delivered against a strict deadline, with the auditorium needing to be fully operational in time for its inauguration. "With support from Karan Kathuria, director of sales and business development, and the wider Renkus-Heinz team, minor issues were promptly resolved, helping us to keep on schedule," explains Sriram.

The C Series system has improved day-to-day operation across the auditorium's varied program. "Staff can operate the system with confidence, while students benefit from clear, consistent audio whether they are attending a lecture, seminar, musical performance, or cultural event," confirms Raju.

"The system sounds spectacular and delivers exactly what the university needs," Sriram agrees. "It has become a reference point for other projects, which is a strong indication of how successful the design has been. Mahindra University had very clear objectives from the start, and that clarity helped us deliver a solution that continues to perform while leaving room for upgrades."

The auditorium remains future-ready, with the audio system providing a strong foundation for planned enhancements such as a large video wall. The university is also considering future development, including building two additional smaller halls. "Based on the performance of the auditorium system, we would definitely consider Renkus-Heinz again for future AV rollouts at the university," says Raju. "The system has delivered the clarity, reliability, and ease of use we needed, and it has given us confidence in the technology for other spaces across campus as it develops."