Genelec loudspeakers were recently installed at Kino Piispanristi, a 286-seat independent movie theatre close to Turku, in Finland. The cinema’s movie-mad owner, Henry Erkkilä says the Finnish manufacturer’s equipment has “reinvented” the audio and allows his film theatre to compete on equal terms with the quality of sound at the multiplexes.
Erkkilä set up the Kino Piispanristi cinema in 2017 with two screens. But it now boasts five screens, as well as giving birth to additional venues in Turku, Salo and Laitila.
Kino Piispanristi’s newest screen is a premium, intimate space with a 7.1 audio system based around Genelec’s ‘The Ones’ family of coaxial three-way studio loudspeakers. Three 8361s – the flagship of The Ones range – are deployed for LCR, with six of the more compact 8341s in the surround positions, complemented by two 7380 subwoofers for clean, controlled LF.
Genelec says The Ones are designed to adapt intelligently to the acoustics of the room using a combination of GLM software and internal DSP within each loudspeaker and subwoofer.
GLM offers calibration of each loudspeaker’s in-room frequency response, playback level and distance delay, minimising unwanted room influences. In addition to the Genelec system, Kino Piispanristi uses Dolby Cinema processors which are designed to bring a natural feel to film soundscapes.
Erkkilä said: “The Ones loudspeaker series has completely transformed the cinema, and now we can offer audiences everything that the big players can – and more. The cinema is a result of a lot of hard work and dedication, and the Genelec system feels like the icing on the cake. It’s reinvented what we show on the screen.”
He added: “For our premium space, sound is everything. Theatre technology, be it projectors, screens, audio or seats, is constantly evolving and unless you’re among the frontrunners, you might get left behind. Genelec is widely known and admired as a wonderful example of Finnish engineering and design. As a local business, we try to emphasise the importance of using locally sourced products, and Genelec’s quality is unmatched.”
This was a pilot project and Erkkilä aims to make further installations of Genelec audio systems in his other screens and venues. “It’s been such a hit. We charge a few Euros extra for the premium screen, but the movie experience is so good that our customers still see it as excellent value.”
Erkkilä discovered his love for the film industry as a young boy. His father had a film projector that he travelled around Sweden with. Prior to the screening, Erkkilä would be tasked with dropping off advertisements in the local area, showcasing the movie on offer that evening and encouraging people to attend.
Inspired by his father, he set up his very own touring movie theatre concept in 1998, but it wasn’t until 2017 that Erkkilä finally opened his first permanent space.
Erkkilä concluded. “We react to trends quickly and make moves boldly so that our customers can walk in and out feeling happy. Having the greatest theatre sound system in Finland is an excellent way to help us light up people’s faces.”
