Bosch Communications Systems

It's a massive room with massive audio technology and acoustic requirements. Haron Robson was called on to specify and install the system, which comprises a background system of Electrovoice ZX1 speakers networked on a system of motorised trusses and Electrovoice C8.2 ceiling speakers with Dynacord H2500 and H5000 amplifiers. "We tried to solve the problem that every function room has, which is poor distribution of speech," Explained Mal Barnes, Haron Robson's Design Manager of Special Projects. "We've utilised the ZX1 speaker boxes in a downward firing manner distributed throughout the room for high quality background music while retaining good mid range for speech. It sounds exactly the same everywhere in the room with very high intelligibility, meaning there are no bad seats in the house."

The second phase is set to increase the capacity to 1500 people, with the ability to divide the space into three smaller areas to cater for different functions at the one time. This was the reason for the motorised trusses, a bit of rigging is required to meet the requirements of different functions and the club wanted to be able to turn the space around in two hours. The only way to do that is be able to rig on the floor. The implementation of the second phase required some forward thinking from Barnes and Haron Research. As it stands, the front of house system is an Electrovoice XLC line array of four boxes and a flown dual 15-inch sub a side, and two dual 18-inch X-subs on the ground. But the second phase will see this doubled and able to be split across two function spaces. Barnes reckons the XLC's FIR filters gives the EV line array an edge, with a smooth response that suits every application, not just acts that are hard and loud.

The audio fitout of the Grand Ballroom is part of a wider focus on sound at the Bankstown Sports Club. Haron Robson has also made some changes to fix old problems from old systems. One of the problems Barnes examined were the wireless systems that were "dropping out due to inadequate system design. We went to the nth degree and actually designed and specified an EV Rev-D distributed antenna system so that we could be sure it would work."

Opening night saw the systems hard at work, with the 35-piece Sydney Symphony Orchestra on hand to test the all-important acoustics. Throughout the night, the system was on show, with a variety of requirements, from spoken word to rock and musical performances from cast members of the Phantom of the Opera - and it stood the test. "We're very happy with it." Said Chris Passanah, Marketing Manager at the Bankstown. "We've had lots of compliments that the sound and the acoustics of the room are good. Audio is obviously very important to our business because these days with most functions - even if it's a charity night - entertainment is always a very important component. That's why we invested heavily in technology to make sure everything was right. The speakers are the best technology has to offer and everything is custom-designed for the room."