When a venue is renowned for superb acoustics, unobstructed sightlines, and world-class artists, its sound system had better be equally outstanding, something well-known at the legendary Town Hall in midtown Manhattan, a concert hall that opened in 1921. That’s why when Audio Incorporated of Roselle Park, New Jersey, was asked to specify a new sound system for Town Hall, they selected Renkus-Heinz VL3 self-powered, 3way line arrays.
“Renkus-Heinz VL3 self-powered line arrays deliver a clear, transparent sound,” said Audio Incorporated president Stephen Tolve. “Whether the show is classical or jazz, rock artists like David Crosby and Jackson Browne, or A Prairie Home Companion, you want it to sound as if you were listening to the performance without needing a sound system—especially in a venue that’s famed for its acoustics.”
The 1,500seat Town Hall is a very wide room, with a short downstairs area, so there aren’t many rows in the audience down on the floor. “But the balcony is quite deep,” Tolve said, “so coverage there was an issue in the past. Not with the Renkus-Heinz system, though.”Tolve’s team chose three VL3 self-powered line arrays and one Renkus-Heinz DR182R dual 18inch subwoofer per side for the main system. The system sits on carts that can be rolled out on either side of the stage.
There is minimal under-balcony seating at Town Hall, which makes coverage a bit easier. Still, covering every seat in the deep balcony could have posed a difficult challenge. Tolve solved that with two Renkus-Heinz CF101LA modular point source arrays per side.
Renkus-Heinz’ VerSys VL3 is an integrated, self-powered, 3way line array system with dual 1,000 watt, 12inch neodymium woofers. Smaller than comparable large-format line arrays, the VL3 works with Renkus-Heinz’ RHAON system-manager software and is designed for applications where outstanding sonic performance is a must, as with Town Hall.
The self-powered CF218S subwoofer delivers a powerful sub bass punch and physical impact and can be deployed in fixed installations and mobile applications. “Before we installed the Renkus-Heinz system,” Tolve said, “most artists brought in their own sound systems. Now, most artists and engineers prefer the Renkus-Heinz house system; they love the sound.”
