BECKER/WELLS, MINNESOTA: Spurred by growing student populations and a general shift toward high-tech teaching support systems, Becker High School in Becker, Minnesota and United South Central K-12 in Wells, Minnesota undertook new construction projects that were only recently completed. Becker added a swimming pool and a 900-seat auditorium, and USC erected a whole new school that includes a 600-seat auditorium, a primary gymnasium, an auxiliary gymnasium, and a commons area. David Peterson of Peterson AV designed the sound systems for both projects, and VSI, a Mankato-based integration firm, performed the installation. VSI specified Ashly Audio amplifiers for both projects, citing their uniquely high performance-to-price ratio.
“The original specification for both projects was for a much pricier brand of amplifier,” explained Tim Suedbeck, design engineer with VSI. “We’ve worked with Ashly many times in the past, and have always been impressed by their build and sound quality. They go in reliably and then just work. Thus, we knew that a shift to Ashly would maintain the intended performance level. When you couple Ashly’s quality with its competitive price point, it’s a no-brainer.”
Becker’s new auditorium includes a host of wired and wireless microphones and playback devices that feed a new Allen & Heath mixer – everything they need to put on dramatic and musical performances, as well as presentations. A Symetrix Radius DSP handles the processing, and Fulcrum AH96 loudspeakers and Sub218 subwoofers deliver stereo output. Altogether, two Ashly nX 1.54 four-channel programmable output 1500W amplifiers, two Ashly ne4250 four-channel 250W network amplifiers, and one Ashly ne8250 eight-channel 250W network amplifier provide clean, reliable power for the new system.
At USC, the auditorium has an independent system, whereas the two gyms and the commons area are tied together. The equipment complement in the auditorium is similar to Becker’s, only a bit smaller (it omits the Ashly ne8250 because the loudspeaker system has fewer components). The primary gym/auxiliary gym/common area system uses one Ashly nX 1.54 four-channel programmable output amplifier and two Ashly ne8250 eight-channel network amplifiers to power primarily Fulcrum CX1295 loudspeakers.
“Each of the Ashly amplifiers came out of the box working, and all of them went in without a hiccup,” said Suedbeck. “They’ve been happily using the systems for the duration of the fall semester, and everything continues to work flawlessly.”
ABOUT ASHLY AUDIO
Ashly Audio Inc. is recognized as a world leader in the design and manufacturing of high quality & high performance signal processing equipment and power amplification for use in the commercial sound contracting and professional audio markets. The 40-year old company is headquartered in Webster, New York U.S.A.
