While the reverberant acoustic of the 1,600-seat main auditorium at Teatro Baluarte in Pamplona suits its flamenco and classical performances, the venue needed a sound system that could deliver consistent coverage touring-grade audio without delay systems and observed strict aesthetic constraints.
Located in the capital of Navarre province, Baluarte is one of the largest Congress Palaces in Spain, and serves as a primary cultural venue with 63,000sq-m of conference and performance space. The main auditorium hosts a diverse programming schedule that ranges from Madrid pop-rock band Morgan to violinist Ara Malikian.
Earpro, the L-Acoustics distribution partner in Spain, worked with L-Acoustics’ Application team to deliver a system centred on L2D line arrays. The integration was carried out by Telesonic, a leading Spanish company renowned for designing and integrating high-end audiovisual installations.
The system’s integrated cardioid technology proved essential for controlling acoustics in the reverberant space, while the compact form factor met the venue’s stage aesthetic requirements. The venue’s previous positive experiences with L-Acoustics rental systems, including Kara II, established familiarity with the brand’s capabilities. However, the L2D selection was driven by additional criteria beyond sonic performance.
The first Congress Palace in Spain to receive BioSphere Certification for Sustainability, Baluarte’s Strategic Project 23–30 prioritises environmentally responsible technology alongside audio perfomance. ‘The installation of the L2D also represents an important step forward in our environmental commitment, as we are talking about an extraordinarily efficient and environmentally friendly system,’ says Eduardo Nanclares, Director of Sustainability & Quality at NICDO and Head of Operations at Baluarte.
An on-site demonstration confirmed that the L2D configuration could deliver professional-grade coverage while meeting budget parameters, spatial constraints and sustainability objectives.
Acoustic modelling through Soundvision software addressed the project’s primary technical obstacles: achieving consistent SPL across the venue’s 40m depth without delay systems; balancing direct sound projection with room reflection management in the highly reverberant space; and maintaining adequate sound levels to back seating areas while preserving sight lines and blending into the architecture.
‘The modelling capabilities of Soundvision were absolutely essential,’ says EarPro Audio Product Specialist, Luc Espinach. ‘We simply couldn’t have demonstrated how effectively such a streamlined L2 configuration would perform in a space of this scale without that level of predictive accuracy.’
Multiple configurations were analysed before the final L2D solution proved optimal for the venue’s specific acoustic and operational requirements.
The resulting main system comprises LR arrays of one L2D per side, configured in supercardioid mode for on-stage rejection, with Panflex angles set to 90°, angled inward to minimise side wall reflections. Low-frequency reinforcement comes from a centre-hung array of six KS21 subwoofers arranged in two hangs of three units each in a cardioid configuration. These can be reconfigured as left-right subwoofer stacks for specific concert requirements.
Four X8 across the stage lip serve as front fills, while four X12 are groundstacked at stage left and right provide in fill. The entire system operates over Milan-AVB, with a P1 processor managing the network connection between front-of-house consoles and the LA7.16i amplified controllers housed in the venue’s rack room.
The installation’s success was validated during one of the first major performances following commissioning: a concert by Madrid pop-rock band Morgan. ‘The guidance and support by the L-Acoustics application team, in particular application engineer Tom Laveuf, was crucial in the success of the project,’ Espinach says. The feedback from the owners, technical team, band team and the audience in general was excellent, with specific comments about the uniformity, clarity and intelligibility of the system.
According to Nanclares, the system ‘reinforces Baluarte’s future strategy aligned with sustainability and innovation’, representing what the venue describes as ‘an extraordinarily efficient and environmentally friendly system’ that maintains the highest acoustic standards while supporting their environmental commitments.
‘The L2D’s combination of long-throw capability, compact form factor, and integrated cardioid technology has provided Baluarte with a future-ready audio solution that supports its mission as northern Spain’s premier cultural and conference destination,’ Spinach concludes.