The Opportunity
Wellington based integrator Audio Workshop recently installed a networked audio system and turnkey HARMAN Professional solution at the Australian High Commission facility in Wellington, New Zealand.
The Australian High Commission (AHC) acts as the Australian government’s official agency in New Zealand. In addition to providing a range of diplomatic services to the public, including passport, immigration, citizenship and cultural relations. In addition, the AHC represents Australia’s interests to government and business organisations in New Zealand.
A dedicated event space in the facility allows the AHC to host numerous events and meetings throughout the year. The AHC event space consists of four individual rooms that can accommodate multiple events simultaneously or be combined for large events.
The Solution
To ensure maximum intelligibility, versatility and ease-of-use during a wide range of events, the AHC hired Audio Workshop to upgrade their aging sound system with a complete HARMAN Professional Solutions networked audio system consisting of JBL, BSS and AKG solutions.
Audio Workshop relied on a selection of JBL speakers to ensure optimum coverage and clarity in the AHC event space. JBL CBT 70J-1 column speakers provide consistent coverage while minimising room reflections and reverberation from the atrium’s high ceilings. JBL Control 16CT in-ceiling loudspeakers deliver premium speech intelligibility and high quality music playback in four meeting rooms, while Control 29AV-1 speakers offer additional power and directivity for film and video presentations.
The venue required wireless microphones to cover all areas to ensure maximum coverage with speech intelligibility. Audio Workshop specified a multi-channel AKG WMS470 wireless microphone system with distributed antennas to ensure no signal dropout during events.
The entire system is controlled by a BSS Soundweb London BLU-100 signal processor, which can be configured to function independently in each room, or as a single time-aligned system when the rooms are combined. Finally, BSS Contrio EC-8BV wall controllers enable intuitive source selection and volume control in each room, while HARMAN’s HiQnet protocol allows the entire system to be controlled with any WiFi-equipped device.
AKG Wireless microphones and antenna distribution ensure no signal dropout during events.
System Features
- BSS SOUNDWEB BLU-100
- BSS CONTRIO EC-8BV wall controllers
- JBL CBT-70J loudspeakers
- JBL CONTROL 16CT ceiling speakers
- JBL CONTROL29AV speakers
- AKG WMS470 Wireless Microphones and antenna distribution system
“We’re very happy with the new HARMAN system, expertly installed to Matt’s specifications – it certainly exceeded all of our expectations.”
The Impact
“We asked Matt Chapman of Audio Workshop to provide a full analysis of our previous system and recommend solutions to optimise the audio quality with a true world-class system,” said Jonathan Pawley, AV & IT Manager, Australian High Commission. “We’re very happy with the new HARMAN system, expertly installed to Matt’s specifications – it certainly exceeded all of our expectations.”
“We’re pleased to be involved with the audio installation in Australian High Commission’s event space,” said Matt Chapman, Managing Director, Audio Workshop. “We strive to understand our clients’ needs and provide them with robust solutions that satisfy their current requirements and leave plenty of room for future expansion. We’re thrilled to see the HARMAN system has accomplished the AHC’s goals and surpassed their expectations.”
