CHINA: A d&b audiotechnik sound reinforcement system has been installed into the prestigious Grand Hall of the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre in a project that lasted just 10 days.

Located on Victoria Harbour, the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre incorporates six exhibition halls, two ballroom-style convention halls, two world-class theatres, 52 variously sized meeting rooms, two large foyers for pre-function gatherings plus supporting amenities. Having experienced escalating demand from its time of opening in 1988, the HKCEC was further expanded in 1997 and 2009, more than doubling its rentable space. The expanded venue further strengthened its leading position as Asia's trade fair capital and a premier international convention and meeting location. With a staff team of 930, HKCEC Management Limited (HML) oversees the operation of the venue including the many dedicated A/V systems that serve its multifunctional needs.

The Grand Hall is a multipurpose venue which is used for conventions, meetings, banquets, exhibitions and special events including some of Hong Kong’s most prolific political gatherings. It can accommodate as many as 3,880 guests in theatre style or 2,160 guests for a sit-down banquet. The Grand Foyer at the entrance of the Grand Hall provides a stunning panoramic view of the harbour and was the spotlight of the Handover Ceremony in 1997. Full simultaneous interpretation, video and projection facilities are incorporated in the Grand Hall together with a 408 sq-m permanent stage with lighting and stage-rigging systems.

HML made a decision in early 2013 to upgrade the audio system in the iconic Grand Hall that had served them faithfully since 1997. Sound clarity throughout the 3,880 sq-m carpeted space was cited as the most important criteria, but HML was also aware that the winning system would have to pay attention to the wooden doors at the foyer entrance some 56.5m from the stage at the rear of the hall.

‘We knew from our conversations with service providers who supply PA systems for events here that the reflections from the large foyer entrance doors was their main concern,’ revealed d&b audiotechnik’s Freddie To. ‘Following loudspeaker demonstrations in May 2013, a decision was made to install the d&b audiotechnik Qi series cluster that had taken these two factors into account,’ added HML’s event facility and logistics manager.

The sculptured ceiling rises to 27m at its apex and from this a single, central cluster consisting of six Qi1 speakers with a single Qi10 has been rigged above the stage. The two-way Qi1 cabinet combines dual 10-inch LF drivers in dipolar arrangement with a 1.3-inch HF compression driver mounted onto a toroidal wave-shaping device to achieve a 75-degrees x 15-degrees (h x v) dispersion characteristic. The Qi10 combines the same components, 21kg weight and 580mm x 308mm x 410mm dimensions but produces a dispersion characteristic of 110-degrees x 40-degrees, hence promoting its use as a down-fill at the bottom of the cluster.

No subwoofers have been added as the single cluster has been designed for reinforcing speeches and presentations rather than musical performances. However, six E5 speakers have been discretely integrated into the lip of the stage to serve as front-fills. The Qi and E-Series speakers are powered by two D12 and two D6 amplifiers respectively, incorporating their own DSP, which can be configured via the Rope R70 software installed in a computer connected by Wi-Fi.

‘We had a tight deadline of just 10 days as the Grand Hall is constantly in high demand,’ furthered Mr To. d&b audiotechnik China’s sister company Sound Works & Supplies Ltd carried out the installation duties, including the rigging of the Qi system and the careful integration of the E series speakers, together with the incorporation of new tie lines, Canare cabling and Neutrik connectors.

*Source from Pro Audio Asia magazine Issue 2013 Novembe -December