A Genelec Smart IP loudspeaker network has been installed to deliver immersive audio for Musikkfabrikken (The Music Factory), a new interactive classical music attraction at Hunderfossen Fairytale Park in Norway, which blends visual art, animated characters and sound. It was created by Norwegian classical pianist Sigurd Slåttebrekk, with the Oslo Philharmonic Orchestra, to make classical music more accessible for adults and children.
Systems integrator Bravo was tasked with developing a sound system that could deliver an exciting musical experience for all ages, working with Norwegian AV consultant Benum to demo a range of loudspeaker systems. The system has been designed to provide zone control, simplified cabling, and precise speaker monitoring.
In the interactive room, eight 4420s were installed in the floor and eight 4430s in the ceiling, complemented by four 7360 subwoofers to enhance audio definition. The configuration was refined by testing speaker locations and layouts to improve immersion.
The Smart IP loudspeakers support Dante and AES67 over a single CAT cable, allowing audio, power and control to be delivered together. Smart IP Manager software was used to configure rooms, zones and speaker status monitoring across the network. The speakers integrate with the Q‑SYS integrated AV platform, which was used to unify all the audio, video, and control under a single, networked operating system.
Bjørn Erik Hexeberg, product manager at Benum, said: “During the demos, we spent a lot of time discussing PoE loudspeakers and using Q‑SYS to manage different zones. As Q‑SYS formed the backbone of the whole project, integrating Smart IP loudspeakers was straightforward. It gave us precise control and real‑time status monitoring of each loudspeaker.”
