The Harman Pro Group has just completed the installation of a comprehensive HiQnet™ system comprising Crown amplification and a Soundcraft digital console with loudspeakers from JBL Professional at Germany’s Konzerthaus Dortmund.

Recognized as one of the preeminent performing arts centers in Germany and housed in a futuristic, architecturally celebrated building, Konzerthaus Dortmund is home to an acclaimed philharmonic orchestra and plays host to a variety of performances. Because of this diversity, the facility requires the highest level of quality sound reinforcement along with great flexibility and ease of operation.

“Because the stage and pit at Konzerthaus regularly hosts such an accomplished, committed array of musicians and performers, it’s gratifying for the Harman Pro Group that our technologies share that same space and enhance the experience for artists and audience alike,” notes Michael MacDonald, executive vice president of Marketing, Harman Pro Group. “It is also good to note the increasingly common combination of JBL loudspeakers, Crown amps, Soundcraft boards, and HiQnet across Europe in fixed and tour sound applications.”

The main loudspeaker system is comprised of 14 JBL VRX932LA Line Array elements configured into left/center/right zones as well as front- and rear-fill cabinets. HiQnet enabled unprecedented control allows individual loudspeaker units to be switched on or off depending upon the type of performance, ensuring even coverage to all of the 1550 seats in the hall. Providing low frequency support, two high output VRX918S subwoofers complete the loudspeaker system and can be augmented by an additional two subs when needed.

Driving the loudspeakers are four Crown I-Tech 4000 amplifiers with DSP processors to allow them to be addressed by the network. The amps total 16kW of power ensuring that there is plenty of headroom available. The amplifiers are fed by the matrix outputs of the Soundcraft Vi4 digital console, which empowers the FOH position with the ability to direct the entire network. A touch screen control permits access to the newest Studer DSP core and the BSS processor, which obviates the need for other outboard equipment. Perhaps just as importantly, this integrated capability helps save room among the limited seats around FOH.