Billing itself as New York’s newest rooftop venue, Pier 17 opened on 4 July 2018 with dining, retail and entertainment options along with a 1.5-acre rooftop concert space that can hold 3,400 for its standing general admission shows, or 2,400 seated, with the Brooklyn Bridge as the stage’s backdrop.
The Howard Hughes Corporation (HHC) – the organisation behind the new venue –brought in SIA Acoustics to identify and design a system combining audio quality and control of dispersion to within the listening area. After reviewing options, an EAW Adaptive sound reinforcement system was the chosen solution – it would not only reduce the audio impact on adjacent neighbourhoods (Wall Street to the west and Brooklyn to the east) but also deliver the required clarity.
In turn, SIA Acoustics worked with Harrisburg, Pennsylvania-based Anderson Audio and TMG Systems, who teamed up for installation of the system. LR Anya arrays were hung in single columns of 12 Anya modules, approximately 35 feet from the ground, along with 24 Otto subwoofers laid out in pairs, to blanket the rooftop.
‘In my opinion, there isn’t another system out there that could do this,’ says Anderson Audio owner, Chris Anderson. ‘Each Anya enclosure has 22 channels of digital signal processing and amplification driving 22 transducers. Multiply that by 12 modules in each array, and you have the control to really dial it in, so it delivers exactly what is needed, where it is needed.’
The venue opened with Carrie Underwood headlining the Spotify Hot Country Live Event. The season line-up includes Amy Schumer, Diana Ross, 88 Degrees, Ziggy Marley, Sting and Shaggy. ’The neighbours are happy,’ reports TMG Systems National Sales Manager, Mark LaBouff. ‘It’s very impressive when you walk in and out of the coverage area – the difference is incredible. There are two VIP areas technically “out of the coverage”, and it’s quiet enough to make a phone call. There were also some concerns about sound levels behind the stage travelling across the water to Brooklyn. Also, not a problem – the rear rejection of the system is substantial.’
‘EAW’s Adaptive Anya loudspeakers and Otto subwoofers were the combination that would help dramatically control coverage of sound, provide an impactful and tonally balanced sound to the audience, and be acceptable to most touring bands,’ says Sam Berkow, owner of SIA Acoustics. ‘So far, everyone is in complete agreement.’
