The Opportunity

Constructed in 1993, Phrarajasatta Pavilion is a beloved addition to Wat Pathum Wanaram, a mid-19th century Buddhist temple in Bangkok. Religious devotees and general public alike use Phrarajasatta Pavilion as a sacred place to conduct daily Buddhist activities, including worship, meditation and dharma practice. After 25 years of service, temple leaders hired audio integrator Mahajak Development to replace their rapidly aging sound system.

The Solution

Mahajak Development upgraded the temple with a complete HARMAN networked sound system, comprised of premium solutions by JBL, Crown, dbx and Soundcraft.

With the objective of providing an immersive sound experience, Mahajak installed a range of JBL, Crown, dbx and Soundcraft solutions. The team equipped the pavilion with 26 JBL Control 25-1 indoor/outdoor speakers, which deliver rich sonic character, wide coverage and consistent dispersion. Its contemporary high-design appearance and versatile mounting features enabled Mahajak to seamlessly integrate each speaker into Phrarajasatta Pavilion. The Control 25-1 is the ideal speaker for houses of worship where the sound quality of background music is essential to the worship experience.

Mahajak utilized a Crown CDi 1000 two-channel amplifier to power the speakers and a dbx DriveRack VENU360 loudspeaker management system for optimize system performance. To ensure professional and polished mixes for events at Phrarajasatta Pavilion, Mahajak included a Soundcraft Signature 22 mixing console, which provides exceptional clarity, dynamic range and a superb signal-to-noise ratio.

The Impact

Houses of worship like Wat Pathum Wanaram require premium audio solutions to provide guests and members of the community with immersive worship experiences,” said Pongsakorn Kanchanachayphoom, Project Director at Mahajak Development. “In order to ensure balanced audio coverage and seamless integration with Phrarajasatta Pavilion’s elegant décor, we selected industry-leading HARMAN solutions which match the venue’s sophisticated atmosphere. The end-to-end HARMAN solution facilitates network distribution and audio management within the place of worship. Because the client was looking for superior audio solutions with reliable customer service, HARMAN was the ideal choice for the project.

We required an audio system that would provide adequate power and quality, and blend in aesthetically with the simple design of our modest venue,” said the spokesperson at the Wat Pathum Wanaram. “We hired Mahajak on very short notice, but they delivered exceptional sound quality with a speedy installation. Our HARMAN system is highly flexible and easy to operate, delivering impactful audio with clarity during sermons and meditation.

It is a privilege to be associated with Wat Pathum Wanaram, a cultural landmark of great importance in Bangkok,” said Ramesh Jayaraman, VP & GM, HARMAN Professional Solutions, APAC. “We thank our longtime partner Mahajak Development for using HARMAN audio solutions to exceed the expectations of their clients and delivering an outstanding audio experience for those who pray and meditate at Phrarajasatta Pavilion.

Strawberry Sound and JPRO deploy JBL, Soundcraft and BSS solutions to create world-class networked audio systems for Wakatipu High School

QUEENSTOWN, New Zealand—Sound integrator Strawberry Sound recently partnered with audio supplier JPRO to outfit Wakatipu High School’s brand new facility with a full array of state-of-the-art HARMAN networked audio solutions.

Located in the Queenstown suburb of Frankton, the newly built Wakatipu High School embraces OECD Innovative Learning Environment principles, which encourage collaborative educational methods. In addition to classrooms and offices, new Wakatipu High School features a performing arts theater, sports gym, a main foyer with café, dance studio and music recording studio. In order to meet DQLS (Designing Quality Learning Spaces) guidelines from the New Zealand Ministry of Education and ensure premium audio for a wide range of areas, school officials hired Strawberry Sound to install HARMAN networked audio systems throughout the facility.

“To embrace technology from an educational perspective, schools require high quality AV equipment and loudspeakers,” said Nicholas van Dyk, Specialist at JPRO. “The high efficiency of JBL speakers yields better coverage using fewer speakers at lower volumes. As a result, teachers and pupils benefit from not becoming mentally or aurally fatigued due to poor sound quality and acoustics. The building project manager Blair Grier said that Wakatipu High School features the finest acoustics he has ever encountered in almost three decades of experience.”

To deliver clarity and coverage throughout the school’s classrooms, offices, auditorium and gym, Strawberry Sound and JPRO designed and installed a full array of JBL Contractor Control Series speakers and Commercial Series ceiling speakers. The entire system is networked via BSS Soundweb London BLU-103 and BLU-100 digital audio processors, distributed via Dante Layer 3 protocol and managed with HARMAN HiQnet Audio Architect software.

“The open architecture of this platform provides a completely customizable solution for future changes to the paging and automatic phone switching systems,” said Reuben Pearce of Strawberry Sound. “The PABX phone system can dial into the BLU-103 if needed and easily broadcast to the entire school through the headset. The ability to add customized panel settings for paging system helps simplify the faculty and staff’s daily communications.”

For the main sound system in the school’s performing arts theater, the Strawberry Sound and JPRO teams installed a left-center-right array of JBL SRX812 two-way powered loudspeakers and SRX818SP powered subwoofers, flown above the stage. They also included a Soundcraft SI Impact digital mixing console to ensure intuitive professional mixes during productions and events. Microphones and other input signals are connected from the stage to the mixing console via Soundcraft Mini Stagebox 16, and output speaker signals are time-aligned with a BSS BLU-100 digital processor.

“It is a privilege to be associated with the prestigious Wakatipu High School,” said Ramesh Jayaraman, VP & GM, HARMAN Professional Solutions, APAC. “Our high-end audio solutions improve learning experiences and enhance students’ academic performance. Delivering a custom audio system is always a challenge, but Strawberry Sound and JPRO executed the project flawlessly. We thank them for their expertise, attention to detail and faith in HARMAN solutions to complete their client’s projects to a high standard of excellence.”

The Opportunity:

Operating nine hotels throughout the Philippines, Seda Hotels are designed to offer quality accommodations in a high-energy central location within an Ayala Land master planned mixed-used development. A fusion of function and art, each hotel provides modern comforts and conveniences combined with the best of Filipino hospitality.

Located in the up and coming lifestyle and business hub in Quezon City and a few steps away from two major malls in the city, Seda Vertis North boasts 438 guest rooms, a 450-capacity ballroom, five meeting rooms, extensive lunch and dinner buffets, a roof deck bar, pool bar, spa, fully-equipped fitness center, swimming pool and a Presidential Suite.

The hotel’s public address system needed a comprehensive, modern upgrade that could distribute high-fidelity audio seamlessly throughout the complex.

The Solution:

In order to meet these goals, Seda hired Intellismart to design an end-to-end networked audio system made up of JBL, AKG, Crown, Soundcraft and BSS solutions.

Intellismart installed low-profile JBL speakers throughout the premises, which are powered by robust Crown amplifiers. Soundcraft digital mixers allow hotel staff to easily adjust the sound across the entire facility, and AKG microphones AKG microphones enable them to make announcements with crystal clarity. The system is controlled by a network of BSS DSP units, which route high-resolution audio fluidly throughout the building. JBL 24CT recessed ceiling speakers provide plenty of power in the Quezon Ballroom without intruding on the elegant décor. The ballroom can be partitioned into three smaller spaces for different types of events, and the speakers can be divided into zones for independent control. Inputs in the floor allow staff to patch the audio system for additional sound reinforcement.

The Impact:

"We were looking for superior audio for with a seamless control system that would allow our staff to make adjustments easily,” said Group General Manager Brett Hickey. “Knowing HARMAN’s reputation for excellence across all its products, we had faith in Intellismart Technology’s choice to install a comprehensive range of HARMAN audio solutions."

"One of the biggest challenges we faced was integrating Seda Vertis North hotel’s existing public address (PA) system with the new HARMAN system in the ballrooms and meeting rooms. Connecting the HARMAN speakers with the PA system was essential to provide the live-feed needed to automatically generate announcements during emergency or evacuation,” said Gerry Sy, President and CEO of Intellismart Technology Inc. “With the BSS digital signal processors, we were able to incorporate the PA system seamlessly into the larger network. The HARMAN system meets Seda’s unique requirements, providing high-quality audio to their guests with flexible control."

"HARMAN Professional Solutions is honored to deliver a comprehensive audio system designed to meet Seda's unique needs,” said Ramesh Jayaraman, VP & GM HARMAN Professional Solutions, APAC. "We’re pleased that Intellismart Technology chose HARMAN products to accentuate the refined atmosphere at Vertis North with a cutting-edge audio system."

PUNE, India—Munro Acoustics recently outfitted The Urban Foundry’s new location in Pune’s Kalyani Nagar neighborhood with an end-to-end HARMAN audio system. 

With several locations in Mumbai and Pune in India’s Maharashtra state, The Urban Foundry is a unique bar and eatery with an industrial aesthetic that incorporates brick, metal and glass materials. The Foundry’s new location features a performance area for live music, but the highly reflective surfaces in the restaurant made it difficult to control the sound. In order to solve this challenge, management hired acoustic consultancy firm Munro Acoustics to design and install an end-to-end HARMAN Professional audio system comprised of JBL loudspeakers, Crown amplifiers and a Soundcraft mixer.

“We wanted our new location in Pune to be different from the others, so we added a performance space for live music,” said Kishore Shetty, General Manager of Operations for The Urban Foundry. “This presented a challenge, as we had to ensure quality sound for performances while retaining our signature industrial design. We chose to work with HARMAN Professional Solutions and Munro Acoustics because they understood our situation better than anyone else. The service was great, the process quick and it was our easiest installation yet. The sound quality here has exceeded my expectations, thanks to the experts at HARMAN and Munro Acoustics.” 

The Munro Acoustics team selected two full-range JBL AM7215 15” 2-way loudspeakers for the main array, supplemented by six JBL AC16 ultra-compact 6” speakers as side-fills. JBL ASB6118 subwoofers with 18” Super Vented Gap (SVG) drivers provide high output and extended bandwidth for a full low-end response. To power the system, Munro deployed Crown CDi DriveCore 4|300 power amplifiers. For a streamlined mixing and monitoring solution, Munroe paired the compact Soundcraft EPM 6 mixer with JBL EON610 monitors.

“The floor-to-ceiling metal posed a major challenge to the acoustics of the space,” said Kapil Thirwani, Partner at Munro Acoustics. “Our client emphasized the importance of live music at The Foundry, requesting that we make the space as performance-friendly as possible. The hard surfaces throughout the space produced ringing reflections, so we had to position the speakers precisely to cover the audience with minimum interference from the room. Based on the design, our integrator Audio and Acoustic’s led by Prashant Nair recommended the new Application Engineering (AE) series loudspeakers by JBL specific for fixed install. This is the first time we’ve used the AE Series loudspeakers, and we’re extremely happy with the results. They’re easy to use and specially engineered for permanent installations, with a wide selection of models incorporating the latest loudspeaker technology. Plus, they’re easy to tune as needed.”

“Controlling sound in a small venue with so much glass and metal in an enclosed space is no easy task,” said Prashant Govindan, Senior Director, HARMAN Professional Solutions India and SAARC. “I want to congratulate the team at Munro Acoustics for using their expertise to overcome this challenge and create a high-quality, balanced sound system for The Urban Foundry. I also want to thank Munro for trusting JBL’s AE Series loudspeakers to deliver great results in this installation.”

ABOUT HARMAN

HARMAN (harman.com) designs and engineers connected products and solutions for automakers, consumers, and enterprises worldwide, including connected car systems, audio and visual products, enterprise automation solutions; and services supporting the Internet of Things. With leading brands including AKG®, Harman Kardon®, Infinity®, JBL®, Lexicon®, Mark Levinson® and Revel®, HARMAN is admired by audiophiles, musicians and the entertainment venues where they perform around the world. More than 50 million automobiles on the road today are equipped with HARMAN audio and connected car systems. Our software services power billions of mobile devices and systems that are connected, integrated and secure across all platforms, from work and home to car and mobile. HARMAN has a workforce of approximately 30,000 people across the Americas, Europe, and Asia. In March 2017, HARMAN became a wholly-owned subsidiary of Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.

GLOBAL

David Glaubke

Director, Public Relations

HARMAN Professional Solutions

+1 (818) 895-3464 O

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© 2018 HARMAN International Industries, Incorporated. All rights reserved. Harman Kardon, Infinity, JBL, Lexicon and Mark Levinson are trademarks of HARMAN International Industries, Incorporated, registered in the United States and/or other countries. AKG is a trademark of AKG Acoustics GmbH, registered in the United States and/or other countries. Features, specifications and appearance are subject to change without notice.

Held in Reykjavík during a period of 24-hour sunlight in the Arctic Circle, the annual music festival features non-stop performances across four outdoor stages and an indoor club venue. Festival organizers hired HljóðX to provide sound and lighting systems for all five venues that could accommodate the festival‘s diverse lineup of high profile artists, including Slayer, Gucci Mane, Bonnie Tyler and Steve Aoki. HljóðX outfitted each stage with JBL VTX V-Series line array loudspeakers, Crown I-tech amplifiers, Soundcraft mixers and Martin lighting fixtures.

“The event environment is fast-paced, and being able to set up and connect the sound system in a very short time and get started quickly with great-sounding JBL presets is important for us,” said Ingolfur Arnarsson, CEO of HljóðX. “That gives us additional time to work on the audio and further tweak each system for the best sound for each act. That’s an important aspect that we really like in the JBL system.”

HljóðX equipped the outdoor stages with JBL VTX V25-II loudspeakers and S28 suspended subwoofers, Crown I-Tech 12000HD and 4x3500HD amplifiers, and BSS OMNIDRIVE HD signal processing. Soundcraft digital mixing consoles integrated seamlessly with the system, which made it easy for sound engineers to adapt to different sets throughout the day. The indoor club venue was all set up with VTX A12 for the opportunity to drive the music full force by demand.

“It is a true joy to work with the VTX 25 at a festival like this,” said Axel Flex Arnason, Sound Engineer at Secret Solstice. “At my stage I’m confronted with a very broad spectrum of music, from a live band playing soft soul music to aggressive hip hop, often with a lot going on in the lower frequencies. The VTX system gave me an even palette to work with, delivering beautiful, undistorted sound quality through the entire spectrum at loud volume.”

“We ran the system full range to have more even coverage on the low end,“ said Eyvindur Eggertsson, project manager at HljóðX sound division. “That supported the sound of all the different artists who performed with very nice results.“

Martin MAC Aura XB Wash fixtures provided bright illumination to compete with the midnight sun, and their compact design and low power consumption was ideal for running multiple stages efficiently. HljóðX used the Rush MH3 for narrow, long-throw beam lighting and spectacular mid-air effects. Atomic 3000 LED strobe lights amped up the energy.     

Mahajak Development deploys JBL Professional, Crown, Soundcraft, BSS, AMX and Martin solutions for interactive installations at Bank of Thailand’s Learning Center

BANGKOK, Thailand—Mahajak Development Co. recently deployed an end-to-end HARMAN Professional Solutions AV system at Bank of Thailand’s Learning Center library and museum.

Bank of Thailand is the central financial body overseeing all monetary policy in Thailand. Across the road from its Bangkhunprom Palace headquarters, the Bank recently established a Learning Center complex in its former mint facility. The five-story building contains the Prince Vivadhanajaya Library, dedicated presentation rooms and research areas, a banquet hall and the Bank of Thailand Museum, which offers guided tours and interactive exhibits about the history of Thai currency. The Learning Center required a flexible, integrated audiovisual solution that could be expanded and reconfigured as needed. To meet these goals, Bank of Thailand hired Mahajak Development to design a complete HARMAN Professional AV solution consisting of JBL loudspeakers, Crown amplifiers, Soundcraft mixers, BSS signal processors, AMX control systems and Martin lighting fixtures.

“The idea was to create an interactive environment in the Learning Center using high-tech scalable solutions to ensure our future needs are met as the Center grows and changes,” said the spokesperson for Bank of Thailand. “The interactive exhibitions required clear speech reproduction, eye-catching visuals and advanced control systems to run it all seamlessly. HARMAN’s best-in-class audio systems, video switchers and interfaces helped us create an inspiring, collaborative experience at the Learning Center.”

For large events in the banquet hall and library, JBL VT4888 and AC599 loudspeakers with SRX812P and ASB7128 subwoofers project powerful, high fidelity sound. In the library’s presentation rooms, JBL AC195 full-range speakers and Control 16C/T ceiling units provide even coverage for mid-size audiences. The museum’s smaller exhibits utilize JBL LSR305 studio monitors and E55BT wireless headphones for private listening and audio assistance. Control 28-1 loudspeakers and SB-150 wireless subwoofers provide wide coverage for background music in the entrance hall. The system is powered by Crown I-Tech HD and DCi Series amplifiers. Soundcraft Si Impact digital mixers allow staff to easily make adjustments. Audio is routed through a network of BSS BLU-100 signal processors with flexible digital architecture that can be reconfigured as needed.

To enable seamless AV control, Mahajak outfitted the facility with a network of integrated AMX systems. DVX-2250HD presentation switchers and DGX digital media switchers form the core of the system, connected by DX-TX-DWP transmitters and DX-RX receivers. MSD-701 touch panels and the TPControl iPad app provide staff, presenters and guests with tactile interfaces for controlling various interactive features. Martin MAC Aura and Quantum Profile fixtures create an immersive lighting experience in the banquet hall and museum exhibits.

“A distinct venue like the Bank of Thailand Learning Center requires a world-class audio-visual system that provides end-to-end capabilities,” said Pongsakorn Kanchanachayphoom, Project Director at Mahajak Development. “HARMAN's diverse portfolio of products gave us the ability to build reliable, robust and future-proof AV systems for the venue. There were two overhead projectors installed to ensure complete real-time redundancy. During installation, we made adjustments to ensure the speakers were fitted at the right angles to deliver optimum audio experience.”

“Creating an interactive learning space for Bank of Thailand has been a unique, exciting challenge for HARMAN,” said Ramesh Jayaraman, VP & GM of HARMAN Professional Solutions, APAC. "The project required a sophisticated AV system that would deliver rich sound and stunning visuals for an immersive interactive experience. Leveraging our global experience with projects like this and Mahajak Development’s deep knowledge and capabilities, we were able to seamlessly execute the project.”