Christ Covenant Church in Knoxville, Tennessee, has completed a major upgrade of its uniquely shaped sanctuary using EAW AC6 ADAPTive column loudspeakers and RS Series subwoofers for consistent coverage throughout.
The church’s worship space, a vaulted diamond‑shaped room with challenging acoustics, had long struggled with uneven coverage, harshness and significant low‑frequency inconsistencies. ‘We tried treating the room acoustically with large acoustic panels up high, down low, everywhere that made sense,’ says A1 Audio Engineer and Advisor Michael Seaman. ‘It got us somewhere, but not where we wanted to be.’
Designed and installed by Remote Production Group, the installation is the culmination of a multi‑year modernisation project led by Seaman, Tech Director Alexander Guadagno and Rigging/Fabrication Specialist David Rasnake.
The turning point came when Guadagno and Seaman attended an EAW loudspeaker demo at a local community college. ‘We were really blown away by the speakers and the ability to direct the sound away form unwanted surfaces,’ Seaman recalls. ‘It was very clear we wanted the AC6.’
The AC6 provided various key benefits, essential for Christ Covenant’s structural constraints. ‘Our roof structure didn’t give us the ability to rig a heavier scenario,’ Seaman explains. ‘The lightweight design of the AC6, its directional control and low‑profile design all made the decision an easy one.’
The final system design features four EAW AC6 ADAPTive column loudspeakers deployed as two vertical columns of two cabinets each, flown almost 16ft above the stage deck and finished in white to blend into the room. Between the two columns, Remote Production Group installed a pair of RS Series subwoofers in a centre mono configuration to resolve the severe low‑frequency nodes and anti‑nodes caused by the church’s previous under‑stage sub placement. This configuration allowed the team to achieve even, controlled coverage throughout the uniquely shaped sanctuary while working within the constraints of the existing ceiling beams and cloud structure.
The improvement was felt instantly by both leadership and congregants.:‘We’ve gotten nothing but compliments,’ Guadagno says. ‘People are saying they’re able to hear instruments they’ve never been able to hear before. There’s a lot more clarity in our worship.’
Before the upgrade, the church received 10–12 complaints per month, often related to harshness or discomfort. ‘We were getting complaints at only 80–85dB SPL,’ Seaman says. ‘It wasn’t loud, and the sound quality was harsh. With the new system, that has changed entirely. Now we’re able to run 85–90dB with a very clear, even sound.’
The visual impact has also been well‑received. ‘Congregants love the new look of the speakers,’ Guadagno reports. ‘The white finish really complements the room.’
The church also streams services to YouTube, supported by a recent upgrade to a Waves LV1 system and new DPA microphones. Beyond weekly services, Christ Covenant hosts a large annual VBS programme with theatrical elements and has previously welcomed touring artists. ‘We’ve talked about doing that again,’ Guadagno says. ‘We’re in a better place now to accommodate that.’
For Christ Covenant, the EAW installation represents the final step in a long‑term modernisation effort and a dramatic leap forward in audio quality. ‘We were able to get our ideal system installed,’ Seaman says. ‘We’re very, very happy with it.’
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