A recent planned upgrade to the A/V system in the Iceland University of the Arts’ Skriða lecture room and presentation space saw leading Icelandic audiovisual equipment rental, sales and technical solutions company Exton design and install a Nexo Geo M10 line array system – in a project that presented a number of challenges.
‘We had designed a Nexo surround sound system for the university’s Film Department a couple of years back, but that project didn’t go ahead as they moved to a new building,’ explains Exton Sound Consultant/Technician Asaf Tzur. ‘When the project at Skriða came up, we took some initial measurements in the room and used Nexo’s NS-1 system configuration and performance prediction software to design and propose left and right hangs of four Geo M10 boxes flown beneath a single MSUB15 – three each of the 12° angled cabinets and one of the more steeply angled 25° boxes for down fill.
‘Initially we had some concerns about coverage in front rows, as there was a physical location limitation of the available hanging points. In fact, we left a couple of spare channels in the amplification and processing solution of two Nexo NXAMP4X2 Mk2 Powered TD Controllers, in case additional front fill was required.
‘Although the room is not particularly long, the seating is quite steeply raked and, ultimately, the coverage we achieved was very consistent. It’s also quite a reverberant space and while it would certainly benefit from some additional acoustic treatment down the line, the controlled dispersion of the Geo M10 delivered excellent clarity and intelligibility throughout.’
With facilities spread across multiple buildings in the capital city of Reykjavík, the Iceland University of the Arts is an independent arts university that offers accredited undergraduate and master’s programs in architecture, design, film art, art education, visual arts, performing arts and music.
Timescales for the project presented another significant challenge for Tzur and the Exton team: ‘The University wanted the system to be installed in time for the new academic year and, while we never recommend rushing projects, we were able to meet the deadline on this occasion with the entire project from initial room measurements to system commissioning taking less than three months.’
He remembers clearly the day that the new system was previewed by a visiting group of Professors from the Music Department: ‘They broke into a spontaneous round of applause when they first heard the system. The professors moved from seating row to row and were particularly impressed that everybody experienced the same system performance from every seat in the room.
‘Ultimately Nexo Geo M10 gave us the tools we need to provide another dependable, high-performance and cost-effective solution to our clients’ requirements, and to continue to build Exton’s reputation and the trust of professional A/V technology users in Iceland.’
More: https://exton.is