The Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts (LIPA) has recently taken receipt of a K-array Anakonda and Kobra loudspeaker system from UK distributor 2B Heard. The move follows a K-array demonstration and training day conducted by 2B Heard Directors Dave Wooster and Sam Nankivell that impressed the LIPA audio staff with the range of solutions that the Italian loudspeaker brand offers,

On arrival, the system saw third year live sound students to use K-array systems on a production of Romeo and Juliet in the 400-seat Paul McCartney Auditorium. The brief was to minimise the visual impact of the sound system while delivering clarity and consistency throughout the audience area at an SPL appropriate for the dance-based nature of the show. ‘The sound system had to be as discreet as possible given the highly detailed nature of the set, but still be able to produce excellent sound reinforcement for the audience. Only K-array could deliver on such a brief,’ explains third-year Sound Technology student and Production Sound Engineer for the show John Doolan,

Providing LR stereo feeds for the stalls were a pair of Kobra KK102 passive line arrays, with a further two units running in mono and s blending unobtrusively with the pillars of the building structure. Complementing these and making up the mono front fill speaker system were four Anakonda flexible array speakers, unnoticeable within the stage set and providing a solution where traditional speaker boxes would not have worked. All of the speakers were configured to run from a single Kommander KA24 2kW four-channel amplifier.

‘Given the requirement to not show any speakers at all on the set – to be essentially invisible – the clear choice of loudspeaker system was K-array,’ says Doolan. ‘Being so discreet, they allowed the audience to focus entirely on the show and not be distracted by conventional speakers, minimising any effect the technology might have on the production. It also benefited the lighting designer as there were no black boxes getting in the way of her design.’

‘We’ll definitely be using K-array again,’ he adds. ‘It’s given us a new outlook on how audience-friendly a system can be, with no visual obstructions whatsoever – and also offers consistent, defined coverage and excellent sound quality and level throughout any audience area.’

More: www.2b-heard.com