Polygon, a provider of 360° immersive sound events, deployed L-Acoustics L-ISA immersive technology and L Series speakers for the Polygon Live LDN festival, at Crystal Palace Park, in London. The audio equipment was installed inside Polygon’s hemispherical dome, which is designed as an instrument for spatial storytelling. The structure houses nearly 125 loudspeakers, creating a sound field where every element can be animated in real time across three dimensions.
During the three-day Polygon Live LDN, which took place from May 2-4 this year, artists such as Jon Hopkins, Max Cooper, Cosmo Sheldrake, and Halina Rice performed specially crafted sets within Polygon’s dome.
The configuration required extensive technical planning and precision engineering. Designed in-house by Polygon with support from L-Acoustics, the layout relied heavily on Soundvision software to model sound coverage and optimise speaker placement before installation.
L-Acoustics certified provider Britannia Row, a Clair Global company, supplied the immersive 12.1.4 system for the dome. The scene system comprised four L2 speakers with eight surround hangs of two A15 Focus over one A15 Wide, while four further A10 Wide provided overhead sound. Low-end reinforcement was provided by 18 KS28 subwoofers in an end-fire configuration. Two out-fill hangs of one A15 Wide and one A15 Focus speakers sent sound to areas outside the dome. Immersive stage monitoring featured nine X15 HiQ speakers and four SB18.
Two adjacent smaller domes, a VIP area, and front-of-house were also equipped with full immersive sound to mirror the main stage. The VIP area featured the A Series for the scene system, with X12 for surrounds and overheads, while front-of-house used X12 for frontal, surround, and overhead. Both areas used SB18 for low-end reinforcement.
The entire system was powered by four LA7.16i, 23 LA12X, and six LA4X amplified controllers.
Nico Elliott, CEO, Polygon, said: “We’re creating audio environments where every element can move through three-dimensional space with purpose.”
Adam Nicholas, director, Polygon, added: “What we’ve created is emotionally transformative. When sound can originate from anywhere in a 360° field and travel through space with precision, artists can paint with an entirely new palette. We’re giving musicians tools to create experiences that simply cannot exist in traditional stereo environments.”
Polygon works closely with each musician ahead of their show on how best to use the L-ISA immersive sound technology. “We’re giving artists new ways to express their music,” Elliott explained. “Some of our featured artists had previous experience with L-ISA technology, while others were discovering spatial audio for the first time. In every case, we provide the support and studio time they need to reimagine their material for this unique environment.”
