To mark the 100th anniversary of the Indianapolis Public Library, the institution’s Clowes Auditorium has been fitted with its first flown system, with L-Acoustics Kiva II modules chosen for the upgrade.
The Clowes Auditorium is an intimate 300-seat, 2,800sqft venue that was added during the Central Library’s extensive expansion in 2008. Hosting everything from classical chamber performances and Latin jazz bands to children’s theatre and corporate presentations.
The auditorium’s new L-Acoustics Kiva II sound system was installed by integrator Mid-America Sound and features six Kiva II modules hung underneath one SB15m sub per side and complemented by a single SB18m sub positioned below on each side of the stage. A single LA12X amplified controller powers all of the Kiva II modules and flown subs, while an LA4X drives the two ground subs and leaves two open channels available for a potential future expansion of fills.
This project is the first US installation of the new standard factory-painted white version, which, when installed alongside the large white acoustical reflector above the stage, renders the system nearly invisible. And thanks to the Kiva II’s weight-to-power ratio, the lightweight 31lb enclosure puts out 137dB with no additional rigging infrastructure needed.
“This is such a great performance space,” said Clowes Auditorium Technician Jim Meyers. “It was designed to be an acoustically correct concert hall, and it’s been that plus so much more. The seating is very steeply raked, and that means there isn’t a bad seat in the house. What we needed was a sound system that could put the sound exactly where we wanted it, and keep it away from where we didn’t want it.”
“After extensively modelling this room in Soundvision with a variety of different systems, I found that Kiva II gave us the optimal results; it achieved the most even coverage given the limitations we faced in the placement of the cabinets within the physical space,” said Mid-America Sound senior audio engineer and audio operations manager Kyle Spurling. “We would not have been able to accomplish this had it not been for the ability to splay as much as 15° between the enclosures. The added bonus of having 100° of direct horizontal coverage made it possible to implement this system as wide as we were forced to, but still achieve a smooth response to every seat in the house. This was a very challenging-yet-rewarding install and we are extremely proud and happy with the results all the way around.”
Picture: Pix Meyers Photography
