It can now be revealed that KV2 Audio was chosen to provide an audio solution to work alongside visually captivating performances in the waterside Jiangnan city of Wuxi, one of four venues chosen alongside the main Spring Festival Gala event in Beijing, celebrating Luna New Year’s Eve. As the first year with established UNESCO World Heritage status, the Spring Festival Gala had unprecedented global reach.
To provide performers and audiences with an immersive, surround-sound experience, a high-definition KV2 Audio system was installed throughout the venue. A selection of ES Mid/High loudspeakers were installed across performance areas, offering powerful and dynamic audio coverage, while smaller ESD loudspeakers were deployed across a bridge and in a ship on the venue’s river, successfully fulfilling the challenge of covering the vast, open venue.
Various areas were carefully equipped to suit their environments. The ‘main stage system’ comprised a selection of ES Series loudspeakers with two ESM12 monitors for on-stage clarity. The ‘river system’ utilised ES1.0 mid/hi loudspeakers complemented by ES1.8 subs, while the ‘bridge system’ featured eight ESD6 compact loudspeakers and was driven by a single ESP2000 amplifier. For the ship, a powerful combination of VHD1.0 and VHD4.18 subwoofers and corresponding amplifiers ensured full-range clarity in motion. The ‘lake stage’ was outfitted with SL412 loudspeakers to deliver a powerful performance. Other than the main stage setup, which was a fixed system, the equipment in the other areas remained flexible to meet the needs of the program or changes to the stage layout.
The simple setup of the ES system allows for plug-in-and-play operation, with limited equipment and smaller loudspeakers, meaning the system was compact and easy to hide away. The high-definition audio spanned the entire venue without compromising views for an optimal audio-visual experience. With an impeccable stage design, immersive performances, and decorative props to celebrate traditional Chinese culture and spirituality, as well as the standout beauty of the Jiangnan landscape, it was essential for the sound system to be out of sight.
This year, the Spring Festival was witnessed by a worldwide audience and was broadcast in 82 languages (14 more than in 2024), with a reported 587 million video views and 1.738 billion content reads, and partnerships with over 3,100 global media outlets. The audio, visuals, and performances presented audiences with a spectacle of traditional Chinese culture and Jiangnan charm.
