Bose provides its sound to a historic building in Santiago, Chile

The MSA12X column speakers Bose Professional have been the basis on which the new audio installation of the old Chamber of Deputies of Santiago de Chile has revolved. These ensure vocal intelligibility in an acoustically demanding space.

The old one Chamber of Deputies in Santiago de Chile It has a state-of-the-art sound system thanks to the technology of Bose Professional.

Inaugurated in 1876, The Palace of the National Congress is a neoclassical building that housed the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate.. In 1990, Congress moved to Valparaíso, and the building became an alternate venue for official events, institutional appointments, in addition to offering a library at the service of senators and deputies.

One of its most emblematic spaces, the old Chamber of Deputies, It has been renovated with audiovisual technology, including Led screens, video cameras, streaming tools and a modern audio system with Bose Professional speakers and components. For its historical value, All project work was supervised by the National Monuments Council, since the building is a national monument.

David Abarca, of the IT department of the Chamber of Deputies, project manager, explains that the sound system presented three main challenges: a careful installation as it is a historic building, achieve the best possible intelligibility and reduce the room reverberation effect.

The installation of the speakers had to be done under the parameters and supervision of the National Monuments Council. Intelligibility was a critical factor due to the function of the space for speeches and presentations..

The room had a noticeable reverberation produced by the wide walls, balconies and domed roof. The space has a semicircular shape, with a height of more than 12 meters and an area of ​​approximately 350 square meters. Its plant is distributed in two main areas, a presidium and a podium at the front and five rows of seats on tiered platforms.

The Bose Professional solution

The Chilean company Pro AV Technology, specialists in audiovisual solutions, was chosen for the audio system project, by submitting the best proposal in the public tender.

According Claudio Ibarra, general manager of Pro AV Technology, a quick installation solution was required, simple and agile, offering highly reliable performance.

Previously, as part of the proposal, Ibarra and his team had reviewed the system's needs with MMT Chile Bose Professional wholesaler in the country, and with the Bose Professional technical support engineer. Its MSA12X column speakers were presented as the best solution, since its wide horizontal coverage would ensure vocal intelligibility in this acoustically demanding space..

The engineers carried out a simulation of the system, using architectural plans and materials information, with the help of software Modeler for acoustic analysis and design. With the information obtained, determined the best location for the speakers.

To cover the seating area, four were installed MSA12X speakers in linear array configuration, two on each side of the presidium and at a height of three meters. Its Articulated Array design, with its twelve full-range drivers, Allows wide 160° vertical coverage, enough so that the sound reaches each of the seats in a clear and intelligible way.

The modular design of the MSA12X allows a pair of speakers to be stacked in a line array configuration, achieving more precise control of the vertical pattern, improving the range and reducing the reflection of sound waves on the floor and ceiling.

It seems the predis area, ProAV Technology installed a pair of altavoces FreeSpace DS 40SE on each side, at a height of three meters and directed towards the seats. The system is completed with a FreeSpace IZA 2120-HZ amplifier and a procesador ControlSpace ESP-1240AD in the control cabin, plus two zone controls ControlCenter CC-2 to facilitate volume management.

The discreet design and stylized shape of the MSA12X speakers make them practically unnoticed in the room, since they barely protrude from the lateral columns that flank the presidium. For your part, The FreeSpace DS 40SE were mounted on the same columns. The matte white color of both models also helps them blend in with the background..

The installation was carried out under the supervision of the National Monuments Council, whose staff instructed on the care necessary to preserve the surfaces on which they worked and thus ensure the preservation of the historic building.

Pro AV Tecnología also installed an audio mixer and a couple of signal distributors for streaming transmissions..

Sound for a historic space

The new audio system of the old Chamber of Deputies meets all coverage requirements, sound pressure and intelligibility. The installation was carried out respecting preservation standards. The speakers do not distract attention and, for its design and color, They mix with the shapes of the walls.

He reverb effect was eliminated by combining the use of MSA12X speakers with the installation of carpet and wood paneling. The level of intelligibility achieved left everyone satisfied.

“The voice is heard naturally and very clearly. There is no need to make any effort to understand those who speak.”, says Claudio Ibarra.