The Living Word (CLW – Centrum für Lebendiges Wort) in Bonn-Bad Godesberg operates a church building with an adjoining kindergarten and offers family services each Sunday, in the form of sermons and musical contributions. The services’ live music component  has grown steadily in recent years, requiring an upgrade of the sound system.

‘We have been working on a new sound reinforcement solution to meet our many requirements for a while,’ explains CLW trainee pastor and vicar, Julian Betker.

‘We wanted to use our existing technology, including mixing consoles, microphones and subwoofers. Our church lives through, and with, live music – which could be heard with our old system outside the church building as well. However, the positioning of the loudspeakers meant that there was always a risk of feedback. The last important point was to stay within budget. We are a donation-financed institution and thus have to pay particular attention to expenditure.’

Together with Audio-Technica, Cologne-based Klein Beschallungs- und Kirchentechnik created a concept with loudspeakers and power amplifiers from Martin Audio. Emphasis was placed on seamless integration into the existing system.

‘We have been working with Audio-Technica’s products for a long time and, for the first time, we’ve been able to offer Martin Audio loudspeakers,’ says Klein Beschallungs- und Kirchentechnik owner, Paul Klein. ‘The quality of the CDD series convinced us. Combined with VIA series power amplifiers and the DX0.5 system controller, we were able to create a convincing argument. In addition, we were able to use the Adorn loudspeakers to provide sound in adjoining rooms at a reasonable price, yet still offering high quality.’

After comparative listening, the decision was made in favour of Martin Audio. Since the church building is a rotunda with a gallery, the sound system was divided into sections. The area in front of the stage is the largest area, and is covered with two CDD12 loudspeakers, while the upper tier – with its glass pane parapet – is covered using two CDD10 loudspeakers. The difficulty was to hit the glass surfaces as little as possible, in order to avoid reflections.

‘Because of the very precise output pattern of the CSS speakers, it was possible to steer the sound away from the glass balustrade of the balcony to minimise these reflections,’ Klein says.

CDD6 loudspeakers are also used below the gallery, and A55 speakers from the Adorn series used inside the rooms. Everything is driven by VIA5002 and VIA5004 power amplifiers, optimised by presets provided by the DX0.5 system controller.

‘With the CLW we’ve been able to implement a very nice sound concept,’ Klein says. ‘The CDD loudspeakers deliver sufficient level in the hall. At the same time, they are not susceptible to feedback and there is hardly any escape to the outside. The installation was successful also thanks to the helping hands of the CLW.’

‘Our live music sounds more vivid than ever at every seat,’ Betker reports. ‘We are positively surprised that the integration of our existing technology worked so smoothly. Once again a big compliment to Paul Klein and his team– the cooperation was great.’