Just steps from Yankee Stadium in the site of the former Earl Theatre in the Bronx, Billy’s Sports Bar has upgraded its audio with the installation of a TT+ Audio GTX 12 system to deliver ‘concert-level performance’ for DJ performances, sports programming and high-energy playback across the venue’s large-format video systems and entertainment spaces.
Installed by New York-based GeoSound Production Services under the direction of founder George Constantinou, the system serves the venue’s two-storey interior, which includes VIP areas, multiple DJ zones and more than 30 TVs.
The installation comprises two flown arrays of six TT+ Audio GTX 12 line array modules per side, paired with eight GTS 29 subwoofers groundstacked between the arrays. Eight XPS 16KD Dante-equipped amplifiers power the PA.
‘Billy’s is a big and very busy venue, especially during baseball season,’ says GeoSound founder, George Constantinou. ‘They needed a system that could carry the vibe and fill the entire space, and the GTX system absolutely does it. The clarity, power and mpact are incredible.’
‘Our biggest goal was clarity and warm, comfortable sound throughout the entire space,’ says house engineer and technical director, Georgeios ‘G-Tech’ Katechis. ‘With the previous system, we had coverage issues in the upper level and needed additional fill speakers in different locations. With GTX, we removed every filler speaker in the venue, and now the entire room is covered evenly.’
Katechis, who has been with Billy’s since 2003 as both resident DJ and technical director, says that the improvement was immediately noticeable to both staff and customers.
‘Even the staff noticed the difference immediately,’ he confirms. ‘People who work there every day took out their earplugs and said their heads were no longer ringing at the end of the night. Customers noticed it too. The system just sounds good and feels good no matter where you are standing in the venue.
‘We’re now able to play a wider range of music than before, especially material with more low-end content. The atmosphere has been completely transformed. Also, we’ve noticed people staying longer since the new system went in. When the sound feels good and isn’t harsh or fatiguing, people are more comfortable, they enjoy themselves more, and that changes the whole energy of the place.’
In addition to system design and support, RCF engineers provided commissioning and tuning assistance working with the GeoSound team and Katechis to optimise coverage, voicing and overall system performance. ‘RCF did a tremendous job,’ Katechis says. ‘Acoustically, it does not matter where you stand in Billy’s – whether right in front of the arrays, underneath them or all the way in the upper deck, the system sounds clear and balanced everywhere.’
‘The support from RCF was outstanding,’ adds Constantinou. ‘The team handled the system design, rigging recommendations, coverage modelling and final tuning support. The collaboration made the installation process extremely smooth, and the final result exceeded expectations.’
‘I’m a lifelong audiophile, so sound quality isn’t something I take lightly,’ says bar owner Georgios Manessis. ‘When we installed the RCF system at Billy’s, I immediately noticed the difference. The clarity, power, and consistency are exceptional whether you’re standing right in front of the stage, at the bar, or on the upper level. Music sounds natural and detailed, vocals cut through perfectly, and even at high volumes the system remains smooth and controlled. Our guests may not always know why the experience feels different, but they hear it and feel it. The RCF system has elevated the atmosphere throughout the venue and helped us deliver the kind of world-class entertainment experience we envisioned for Billy’s.’