Located in the Chimelong International Ocean Resort in Zhuhai, China, the 1,000-seat Chimelong Ocean Kingdom’s 5D Castle Theater uses no fewer than 119 Meyer Sound loudspeakers for its animated presentations. The sophisticated, multichannel system includes 26 input channels and various output channel configurations connected to a D-Mitri digital audio platform via one of the world’s largest AVB (Audio Video Bridging) networks.

‘The fact that the AVB data shares the same network infrastructure as the control data is proof that the AVB and other common network tasks can coexist, even on heavily used networks,’ says Leo Wagner, infrastructure manager for Kraftwerk Living Technologies, who designed and installed the set-up.

Use of AVB audio networking standard greatly simplified installation, while affording greater flexibility in developing its audio capabilities. AVB carries eight channels of audio to each seat in the theatre to use for effects and multiple language translations, in addition to connecting the main Mica line array loudspeaker system.

‘Because of the extraordinary size of this theatre, there were no cinema loudspeaker systems available on the market that could meet our stringent performance requirements of coverage up to 44m,’ explains Christian Hofer, Managing Partner and Technical Director at Kraftwerk Living Technologies.

The 5D Castle Theater’s audio system comprises seven screen channel arrays of eight Mica elements and two 600-HP subwoofers each, which are supplemented by 15 700-HP subwoofers, 22 HMS-12 surround loudspeakers, and 12 UPQ-1P loudspeakers for surround sound and effects.

The theatre’s ‘5D’ concept incorporates the world’s largest permanent projection screen at 88m x 18m, and the world’s largest stereoscopic 3D projection. It is also equipped with Kraftwerk Living Technologies’ 4D seats, incorporating motion, scent, air blasts, water effects and ‘ticklers’ for tactile sensations. Entitled Kaka’s Great Adventure, the opening show was produced by FAR Out! Creative Direction and Prana Studios.

Elsewhere in the Chimelong Resort, the International Circus City presents world-class acts in a sleek 2,700-seat venue equipped with a Mica loudspeaker system for live musical accompaniment. The system comprises 14 Mica loudspeakers, four 1100-LFC low-frequency control elements, eight-each JM-1P arrayable and UPJunior VariO loudspeakers, and 12 UPA-1P loudspeakers. Artist foldback includes four UPJ-1P VariO loudspeakers and six UM-100P and two USM-1P stage monitors. A Galileo management system with two Galileo 616 processors provides system drive and alignment. All systems were supplied and installed by Shanghai Broad Future Electro Technology, with design by the company’s Technical Director, Leon Yang.

Since opening in 2014, Chimelong Ocean Kingdom secured the Themed Entertainment Association’s 2015 Thea Award for Outstanding Achievement in a Theme Park.