Great Architecture. Challenging Acoustics. Innovative Solution; from Power Sound and Video of New England
The Project:
A new church audio system gives crystal clear sound for the spoken word and rich tone for the music ministry. Power Sound of New England analyzed the New Hampshire church’s space and carefully considered the goals of the parish to facilitate the design of two customized church sound systems. We designed and installed a system tailored for the needs in the main church and integrated church sound into a chapel sound system. Church sound systems functioning as one system or two...imagine the possibilities.
Speakers:
In many worship spaces our designs call for BOSE Panaray speakers—crafted specifically for the worship environment they are just 4 inches wide and available as 3, 6, or 9 foot heights—allows us the ability to design the church audio to project from the front-of-church mounted speakers all the way to the very back pew emitting intelligible sound evenly throughout the sanctuary. How is this incredible church sound achieved? We defer to the technical specifications from BOSE that explain the speakers for ideal church audio projection:
From pro.bose.com “The (speaker) delivers high speech intelligibility and natural sounding music… acoustically demanding spaces.” BOSE goes on to describe the drivers in each speaker __- for church audio projection as a “vertical line array of twelve 2.25" (57 mm) drivers provides wide horizontal and narrow vertical pattern control.” The speakers “reproduce the entire critical vocal range between 155 Hz and 12 kHz, -3 dB (100 Hz to 16 kHz, -10 dB) with no crossover required.”
In our terms: Great church sound for the spoken word and the music ministry.
At St. Anne Parish in Littleton, NH, church audio projection was an interesting challenge in that the handsome architecture features an extreme pitch on the upper portion of the walls. Our sound analysis indicated that this would inhibit the clear, even sound projection we wanted. To balance the church sound system we introduced a unique solution for a steep angled ceiling: We utilized 6-foot tall by just 4-inch speakers in the front of the church. Then, partway back we installed another set of smaller speakers to ensure equally distributed sound is projected throughout the nave. Notice in the photo (to the right) that while church sound is considered; so are aesthetics. The speakers are custom colored so they are heard and not noticed.
The Feature:
Special programming allows for individual church sound settings for any scenario including large weekend Mass, small daily Mass and more. A remote controller has presets for small or large masses, and an overflow setting which activates speakers in the chapel. Each space can also operate independently. This is a mainstay of Power Sound and Video’s tailored church sound systems. We program all the settings a parish may want based on possible sound scenarios which may also include; windows open in summer, full holiday Masses, different speech styles of Celebrants, etc. This means quite simply church audio settings that are exactly right every time.
The Results:
A very delighted parish priest, thankful clergy and staff and a congregation that hears every word and every note...beautifully. Amen!
“Much Better”“We are all extremely pleased with the new sound system. The sound quality is excellent. I would highly recommend Power Sound of New England to any parish”.~ Rev. Richard L. Casey, St Anne Parish; Littleton, MA
How’s your sound? We are here to discuss church sound systems to help those of you as your plan for church audio renovations and upgrades. We are happy to discuss your church sound system needs and how our approach can enhance the worship for your congregation.
