EM Acoustics loudspeaker systems were recently installed to upgrade the audio at the University of Manchester’s Martin Harris Centre for Music and Drama, which has long been a cornerstone of the institution’s performing arts and education programmes.
Home to two key performance spaces, being the Cosmo Rodewald Concert Hall and the John Thaw Studio Theatre, the centre recently underwent a significant AV upgrade, led by Stage Electrics, a long-term AV partner of the university, in close collaboration with EM Acoustics. The focus was on integrating systems tailored to each space to improve the audio for students, faculty, visiting performers and audiences.
The Cosmo Rodewald Concert Hall primarily hosts classical music concerts, spoken word events and comedy performances. A key challenge here was achieving consistent acoustic coverage across the auditorium whilst being sympathetic to the hall’s appearance.
Stage Electrics and EM Acoustics addressed this by installing a comprehensive sound system designed by Greg Clarke, brand manager at EM, comprising left and right hangs of eight HALO-C line array loudspeakers as the main PA, supported by two R8 loudspeakers at stage level. A further two S-15 subwoofers provide low-frequency support.
The John Thaw Studio Theatre serves as both a teaching space and a venue for talks, poetry readings and screenings. The space was already performing well sound-wise, but needed a new surround sound and video projection offering so it could also be used as a full-blooded cinema facility. Therefore, a multifunctional sound system capable of delivering an immersive listening experience was required.
Stage Electrics and EM Acoustics teams chose to install a point source distributed loudspeaker system with amplification and processing. This new system comprises seven R8 right, left and centre hangs, 12 EMS-51X for cinema-quality surround sound and two S-15 subwoofers.
Karl Spencer, senior technical and buildings manager at the Martin Harris Centre, said: “We needed a solution that would free up space in both venues and improve the efficiency of our technical operations. Many of our courses rely on both video and audio, so we were looking to improve audiovisual quality to provide students and teachers with an enhanced experience and the resources to thrive. EM Acoustics products have never let us down and have always worked perfectly. We also appreciate the fact that they are a British company because we like to support homegrown businesses.”
Karl Formstone, senior project manager at Stage Electrics, added: “The compact design of the HALO-C line arrays and point-source systems was a perfect fit for these spaces. They provide powerful sound reinforcement while seamlessly integrating into the venue’s aesthetics, maintaining both form and function.”
He continued: “Designing a sound system for a space that doubles as a teaching area and a cinema required a highly adaptable solution. The point source distributed system allowed us to create a truly immersive audio environment while maintaining the versatility needed for various configurations.”
The audio system is integrated with the in-house Symetrix control system via several touchscreens. Preset configurations allow the spaces to adapt to different use cases with just a few touches.
Spencer concluded: “The recent upgrade has significantly improved our operations, making life easier for everyone. Many of our courses depend heavily on technology. Now, students enjoy a higher quality experience, and our teaching and technical support teams can focus on their work without the burden of lengthy setup times or complicated systems.”
