EM Acoustics’ Reference Series sound system has been installed at the Royal Lyceum Theatre Edinburgh, a historic 658-seat venue that hosts over 100,000 visitors annually.
The installation replaces equipment dating from the theatre’s last major refurbishment in the mid-1990s.
The theatre consists of three levels: stalls, grand circle and upper circle. Two R8 loudspeakers in wide format are positioned on either side of the proscenium to provide coverage for the stalls level. S15 subwoofers are placed beneath the main R8s in the stalls and in the circle levels for low-frequency reinforcement.
The two circle levels feature low ceilings, creating what are described as ‘letterbox-shaped’ areas. A flown pair of R8s in narrow format is positioned to cover both levels, along with a dedicated pair of S12s, extending coverage to the upper seating areas.
A flown centre cluster of R6s is designed to anchor sound to the stage for vocal intelligibility. A network of 20 R4 loudspeakers provides front fill, delay and box fill support, with four units along the stage edge covering the front rows and 16 strategically placed across the stalls, circle levels and grand boxes. The system is powered by EM Acoustics’ installation series amplifiers.
Ian Gibson, head of sound & AV at the Royal Lyceum Theatre, Edinburgh, said: “The theatre’s last major refurbishment was back in the mid-nineties, with no ongoing replacement or renewal of the PA system since then. Many touring shows and production companies didn’t want to use our outdated system, so we had to keep de-rigging it to accommodate temporary gear for each show.
“By switching to EM Acoustics – a name trusted throughout the theatre industry – we’ll largely be able to keep our house system in place all year round, including during Edinburgh International Festival.”
Gibson, who spent several years planning the upgrade, had previously worked with EM Acoustics’ products on visiting shows.
He added: “Every loudspeaker in the Reference Series range is incredibly accurate and usable. The sound from them is very impressive. They have all the qualities of modern loudspeaker technology in terms of pattern control and directivity, which we were missing before.”
The theatre, first opened in 1883, retains many original features. The compact form factor and placement of the sound system elements are designed to integrate with the Victorian architecture.
Gibson said the installation has improved operational flexibility: “During a recent show with 11 radio mics and a forestage playing position, managing sound would have been extremely challenging with our old loudspeakers, especially in terms of gain before feedback. With the EM Acoustics Reference Series, the system provides much more control and a very natural sound. It really lives up to expectations.”
