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<\/p>\nRecognised nationwide for its dedication to unforgettable audience experiences, Bolton\u2019s award-winning Octagon Theatre welcomes a creative selection of bold and adventurous productions. From collaborative community projects to large-scale touring shows, its immersive auditorium is the heart of every performance. Here, the Octagon Theatre\u2019s in-house team conducts regular quality checks to ensure all assets perform to their full potential, which recently led to the installation of a new KV2 Audio PA system.<\/p>\n
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The existing sound system had served countless shows with excellent audio but was beginning to show its age. \u201cAs part of the Octagon\u2019s long-term strategy for fixed assets, the in-house team identifies areas of concern before the equipment fails,\u201d says Chris Whitwood, the theatre\u2019s Head of Production. \u201cThe old system did not provide sufficient coverage across the auditorium and no longer delivered the clarity and versatility required for the scale and ambition of the theatre\u2019s programme. Its increasing unreliability was the perfect opportunity to upgrade to a system that could ensure consistent, high-quality performance for years to come.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe auditorium is fully flexible, offering in-the-round, thrust, and end-on configurations for truly immersive audience experiences,\u201d continues Whitwood. \u201cTherefore, we needed a new system that would deliver reliable audio without the need for intensive equalisation work and re-rigging before every use.\u201d Having collaborated with the theatre\u2019s in-house team on previous occasions, the venue\u2019s trusted audio partner, dBS Solutions, was invited to design a new PA system suited to the theatre\u2019s unique stage setup.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe theatre required a system that delivers clear, detailed coverage across all audience spaces \u2013 including the balcony \u2013 for excellent intelligibility and a cohesive sound image to complement the existing delay loudspeakers,\u201d comments Chris Bogg, Director of dBS Solutions. During past productions, Bogg had successfully implemented KV2\u2019s EX and ESD series loudspeakers to provide outstanding clarity and consistent coverage due to their distinctive dispersion characteristics. \u201cThe venue\u2019s technical team were beyond impressed with the natural tone and definition. When it came time to upgrade to a permanent PA system, KV2 was the obvious choice.\u201d<\/p>\n
Chris Bogg collaborated with the Octagon Theatre\u2019s in-house engineer, Gerry Marsden, to identify the most suitable loudspeaker solutions for the venue\u2019s infrastructure, eventually landing on KV2\u2019s passive ESD series. \u201cWe deployed a central cluster of five ESD10 loudspeakers, which now delivers clear, even coverage across the entire audience when used in-the-round, whilst maintaining flexibility for other stage configurations,\u201d details Bogg. \u201cWe also integrated KV2\u2019s linear ESP amplifier series outside of the main auditorium to minimise ambient noise.\u201d By combining the new KV2 system with the theatre\u2019s existing delay loudspeakers, dBS solutions and the Octagon Theatre\u2019s in-house team delivered an improved audio solution that maximises the immersive audience experience and supports performances across all genres.<\/p>\n
\u201cKV2\u2019s reputation in the UK theatre market has ensured strong creative confidence in the new system,\u201d says Bogg. \u201cOctagon Theatre\u2019s visiting sound engineers and composers will be more than satisfied with the quality and coverage it provides.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOur original intention was to provide the highest sound quality with even coverage throughout the entire auditorium, so audiences would experience the same clarity and impact no matter where they sit \u2013 the KV2 system delivered on all of these goals,\u201d concludes Chris Whitwood. The upgraded PA system has noticeably improved the coverage, quality, and intelligibility of each performance, adapting to the artistic demands across all of the Octagon Theatre\u2019s productions to ensure pristine audio reaches every seat.<\/p>\n