Part of Mumbai’s ongoing redevelopment, Bhendi Bazaar’s Saifee Burhani Upliftment Project is transforming the area into a vibrant metropolis. A significant part of this is the renovation of the the community’s primary place of worship, where a Renkus-Heinz loudspeaker installation reflects contemporary needs.
Built in the early C20, the Saifee Masjid (mosque) saw significant reconstruction before reopening in 2023. The updated structure blends architectural heritage with innovation, along with an audiovisual system that includes 12 Iconyx Compact ICC12/3 loudspeakers, helping to deliver focused audio to thousands of daily visitors.
With the Masjid able to accommodate up to 7,000 worshippers over three levels, ensuring clear speech during daily prayers and other community events is essential. Leading technology design consultant Play Technologies and A/V systems integration company Innovative Systems & Solutions were confident that Renkus-Heinz’s flexible, compact ICC12/3 loudspeaker could deliver the performance and directivity needed in such an acoustically complex space.
‘With the proven legacy of Renkus-Heinz products in this type of project, there were no second thoughts on the selection of the brand as the preferred solution for the front of house and main atrium sound,’ explains Play Technologies AV/IT Consultant, Sachin Jain.
‘The ICC12/3’s high vertical directivity and beam-steered line arrays can effortlessly penetrate buildings with challenging acoustics, which work perfectly with the Masjid’s high ceilings and stone walls,’ adds Innovative Systems & Solutions A/V System Integrator, Bhavin Sureliya. ‘Rhaon II beam steering and the movable acoustic centre ensures that sound reaches every visitor, while minimising potential reverberation in such a large space.’
The ICC12/3 loudspeakers were installed as part of a larger audiovisual makeover. Their ease of integration and control allow them to work with other loudspeakers and amplifiers, ensuring ready integration with the infill system that was already installed over the atrium’s three floors and other areas. Sureliya ran thorough tests on the ICC12/3’s various beam-level settings to find the optimum direction necessary to achieve uniform sound on each level.
‘The powerful Renkus-Heinz system acts as the primary source of front-of-house and fill sound in the main atrium,’ explains Jain. ‘Tannoy loudspeakers in the corridors, higher floors and under-balcony areas complement the ICC12/3 system to offer clear, unbroken sound in every area.’
An important aspect of the Masjid’s large-scale reconstruction was ensuring that the building was restored back to its former glory, which involved reintroducing intricate decoration and elaborate embellishment. Meticulously carved Burmese teak beams, chandeliers and gold leafing on the ceiling create a beautiful interior that echoes the original design.
The ICC12/3 loudspeakers deliver exceptional sound quality without disturbing this unique architecture, thanks to their simple design and narrow form factor. The included wallmount bracket also promotes easy installation and is almost invisible behind the array.
‘The interior demanded a loudspeaker that was sleek and unobtrusive while also meeting specific size constraints,’ says Jain. ‘It had to fit within the carvings on the wooden columns, where it was to be mounted. And of course, beyond the strict aesthetic considerations, it also had to deliver the performance requirements – which is where the ICC12/3 excelled.’
‘With a global reputation for transforming sound in houses of worship, Renkus-Heinz was an intelligent choice,’ says Huzefa Maimoon, Information Technology and HOD at Saifee Burhani Upliftment Trust (SBUT). ‘The precise beam-steering technology has transformed this sanctuary so every worshipper can hear messages with perfect intelligibility, without overpowering the Masjid’s serenity.’
‘We have found the support provided by Renkus-Heinz and its distributor Alphatecto be a great help at various stages of the project,’ Jain adds. ‘The support has continued even after completion, which is quite impressive. The integration team from Innovative Systems & Solutions has also been very supportive whenever they have been on site, providing superior client reassurance throughout the installation.’
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