Among the most acoustically impressive venues in Doha, the College of North Atlantic Qatar (CNAQ) recently appointed systems integrator Audio Visual Technology (AV Tech) to undertake a refurbishment of its multi-purpose auditorium. Now completed, the veue’s video, projection and lighting systems are state-of-the-art, with sound reinforcement handled by a Renkus-Heinz IC-Live loudspeaker system.
The auditorium has long been the heart of the institution. Over the course of two years, AV Tech Technical Sales Manager Mahmoud El Zein has led upgrades to every technical system in the building. The result is a world-class hall capable of hosting a broad variety of events, from spoken-word corporate presentations and local musical acts, to touring theatrical productions.
Prior to the refurbishment, the space contained an aging line array system. Despite the excellent acoustic properties, coverage remained an issue. ‘The old array system was single-beam and difficult to control – the drivers had become worn out and were no longer offering the desired performance,’ explains El Zein. The replacement had to be ‘a fixed installation, that would stay in place for many years and offer good quality, while protecting the aesthetics of the room.’
Two Renkus-Heinz IC-Live FR Dual columns now serve the auditorium, discretely mounted at either side of the stage in a left-right configuration. The choice reflects the multi-purpose use of the space, with enough power to support the ambitious productions it sometimes hosts. The active arrays each combine ten 6.5-inch, neodymium-loaded transducers plus six 1-inch HF compression drivers, all spread across two modules. For musical performances, two IC215S-R subwoofers add precise low-end support. Front and centre fills are handled by five PN61R two-way enclosures, installed into the lip of the stage. Full and even coverage across every seat in the house is ensured with the subtle use of Renkus-Heinz beam steering.
‘This project was personal for me and I know that CNAQ is happy,’ reflects El Zein, ‘It’s a very good solution.’
