The Art of the World Gallery in Houston has enhanced the guest experience with the installation of Electro-Voice loudspeakers and a Bosch signal processing system.
Southwest Building Systems designed the AV system to meet the gallery requirements for high fidelity and intelligibility with minimal visual impact and includes Electro-Voice EVID Compact Sound systems hidden amid ceiling elements and a Bosch PLENA matrix mixer for control.
“The idea was to create a warm, comfortable ambience throughout the gallery, while keeping the visual focus on the art itself,” said Brent Thornhill of Southwest Building Systems. “We knew that a combination of Bosch signal processing and the new EVID Compact Sound loudspeakers by Electro-Voice could produce the audio impact they wanted while being, essentially, invisible.”
To meet the gallery’s requirement of consistent, high-fidelity sound throughout the two-story space, Southwest Building Systems used a Bosch PLENA PLM-8M8 matrix mixer zoned distribution system. The mixer allows independent control of source material and volume, either directly through wall-mounted Bosch control panels and volume controls, or wirelessly through the Bosch PLENA app for iOS devices.
Because the gallery hosts presentations by the artists it exhibits, a separate sound system was needed for the front foyer and reception area. For this open space, Thornhill installed an Electro-Voice R300 wireless microphone system with both handheld and bodypack transmitters. A single Electro-Voice EVU-1082 loudspeaker, mounted above the reception desk, provides full-range, highly intelligible audio at modest volume levels from both spoken and musical sources.
The primary background audio for the main gallery spaces is provided by the EVID S44W Compact Sound system, which consists of four small satellite speakers and a single subwoofer, finished in white. Four such systems are spread throughout the gallery, with the satellite speakers mounted to the ceiling beams and the compact subwoofers installed atop floating ceiling structures, making them completely invisible to the patrons. In addition, 16 Bosch LB2 speakers at ceiling level along the periphery ensure that every corner of the gallery is covered uniformly.
Co-owner Mauricio Vallejo commented: “Southwest Building Systems gave us everything we asked for, with clear, beautiful sound everywhere. To have total control of the sound system, anywhere in the building, from my iPad or iPhone, is something we all love. It makes everything easy and professional, enhancing the viewing experience without interfering with it. We are very pleased.”
