The Wheeler Opera House in Aspen, Colorado has completed a major upgrade of its cinema playback system with the installation of an Alcons Audio pro-ribbon sound loudspeaker system.
Opened in 1889, the Wheeler Opera House has long stood at the heart of Aspen’s cultural life. Over more than a century, it has evolved from a silver-era opera house into a year-round performance venue hosting concerts, theatre productions, community events and internationally recognised film festivals. Through careful restorations and technical upgrades, the Wheeler has successfully preserved its Victorian elegance while embracing modern performance capabilities.
At the heart of new the installation are three Alcons CR4 large-format pro-ribbon screen channel systems, supported by two CB362 high-output dual 18-inch subwoofers and powered by two ALC Sentinel 10 amplified controllers.
‘Now our guests can sit back and be transported right into the film – just as the director intended,’ says, Production Manager & Audio Supervisor, Michael A Baca. ‘There is no amount of content being lost in translation from the cinema file to your ears. That is one of the greatest compliments a manufacturer and facility can pay to a creator.’
Rockfan AVL’s involvement extended beyond system specification and installation. Under the leadership of Lee Putnam, the team thought of all the ins and outs of deploying the system, such as developing custom-fabricated modular carts for the CR4 systems, enabling efficient deployment and storage to accommodate the Wheeler’s varied programming. This tailored approach ensures that the cinema system integrates seamlessly within the venue’s broader operational framework.
‘This type of upgrade happens once every decade or two, and future patrons will continue to benefit from this experience for years to come,’ Baca observes.
With this installation, the Wheeler Opera House joins a growing number of prestigious venues worldwide relying on Alcons Audio pro-ribbon technology, uniting its historical legacy with state-of-the-art cinema audio.