With courses spanning engineering, law, media and design, Mahindra University is recognised for academic excellence and high-tech facilities. An integral part of the campus is the Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Auditorium, where a new Renkus-Heinz C Series point source loudspeaker system now serves events, musical performances, seminars and daily classroom lectures.
Located in Hyderabad, the state capital of Telangana, the privately operated university called in Sriram BR, Design Director at A/V consultancy firm Sonics, to handle system design and specification, with CMPPL responsible for integration, and Alphatec, Renkus-Heinz’s local distributor taking care of set-up and commissioning.
The design uses two passive CX151B Complex Conic loudspeakers, ten compact, passive coaxial CX61B loudspeakers and ten DRS18-2B subwoofers, creating a full-range reinforcement solution that provides even coverage, controlled output and reliable intelligibility throughout the 1,100-seat space.
‘The large hall required an audio system that delivers strong coverage without adding unnecessary complexity or visual intrusion,’ Sriram explains. ‘Before the new system was installed, students had to share microphones during lectures and sessions, so improving voice reinforcement was also an important consideration.
‘The auditorium is an enclosed, air-conditioned space with no windows, making acoustic control especially important,’ he continues. ‘We worked closely with the architects to ensure loudspeaker placement met both acoustic and aesthetic requirements. By integrating the system around the stage and proscenium area, with key elements mounted high above the front of the stage, we were able to direct sound precisely into the raked seating area while maintaining clear front-to-back coverage and minimizing visual impact. The compact C Series form factor made this easier.’
Acoustic containment was also central to the design considerations: ‘It was imperative that the sound stayed within the auditorium to avoid excessive sound spill,’ explains Tech Mahindra’s Narasa Raju. ‘The new system ensures every note and every word can be heard clearly within the room, without leaking into surrounding areas of the campus.’
System control is via Dante and a touchpanel with presets, allowing university staff to operate the room with ease. ‘Only a small amount of training was needed, and staff now benefit from smooth day-to-day operation,’ says Raju. ‘The intuitive system gives us confidence that, whatever the room is being used for, the sound will perform exactly as required.’
Beyond the sound system, the auditorium employs Audio-Technica mics and is equipped with a wider A/V infrastructure for mixing, DSP, switching, video systems, screens and cameras to support teaching, presentations and events.
The overall installation was delivered against a strict deadline, with the auditorium needing to be fully operational in time for its inauguration. ‘With support from Karan Kathuria, Director of Sales & Business Development, and the wider Renkus-Heinz team, minor issues were promptly resolved, helping us to keep on schedule,’ Sriram reports.
The C Series system has improved day-to-day operation across the auditorium’s varied programme of events. ‘Staff can operate the system with confidence, while students benefit from clear, consistent audio whether they are attending a lecture, seminar, musical performance or cultural event,’ Raju says.
‘The system sounds spectacular and delivers exactly what the university needs,’ Sriram agrees. ‘It has become a reference point for other projects, which is a strong indication of how successful the design has been. The University had clear objectives from the start, and that helped us deliver a solution that continues to perform while leaving room for upgrades.’
The auditorium is future-ready, with the audio system providing a foundation for planned enhancements such as a large video wall. The university is also considering further development, including building two additional smaller halls. ‘Based on the performance of the auditorium system, we would definitely consider Renkus-Heinz again for future A/V rollouts at the university,’ says Raju. ‘The system has delivered the clarity, reliability and ease of use we needed, and it has given us confidence in the technology for other spaces across campus as it develops.’