K-array updates Bucharest National Opera audio

The audio system of this cultural center in Romania has 18 Speakers K-array Kayman KY102X and 8 Thunder KS3P I subwoofers, in addition to the Anakonda KAN200+. The entire system is powered by Kommander KA208 and KA104 amplifiers.

The Bucharest National Opera collaborated with the local distributor and integrator Senia to implement a permanent K-array solution and upgrade your sound infrastructure. The new equipment offers a design and sound quality.

This institution is a key piece of Romanian cultural heritage and, recently, has undertaken a project to modernize its Audio Infrastructure focused on optimizing the actions and preserving the historic interiors of the enclosure. The venue relied primarily on rented live sound systems. Often bulky and unsuitable as a permanent solution, these ran the risk of detracting from the grandeur of the space and distracting the public.

"One of the main challenges we faced at the Opera House was finding the balance between the requirements of a high-performance audio system and the need to maintain the original architecture and features of the venue.", reflects Ionut Mavrichi of Senia. K-array's slim profile speakers were selected for their ability to blend in with the environment.

The PA Main System It has twelve Kayman KY102X speakers, Six units per side, ensuring even sound distribution throughout the venue.

To deliver deep, resonant bass without cluttering space, four have been suspended from the ceiling Thunder KS3P I subwoofers, with four more units available on mobile platforms for flexible placement, according to the needs of the performance and the event. Audio coverage on the balcony level is achieved with six additional Kayman KY102X speakers, ensuring a consistent listening experience for all audiences. The front-fill is provided by the ultra-flexible speakers Anakonda KAN200+, Discreetly mounted at the front of the stage, that transmit audio to those who sit closest to the action without interfering with sightlines.

The entire system is powered by Kommander KA208 and KA104 amplifiers, allowing venue technicians to easily control and monitor system performance through the K-Framework software 3.

Custom finishes in RAL colours were applied to the wall-mounted Kayman loudspeakers, integrating them with the interior design of the opera house. The incorporation of a system Pinnacle A standalone lobby offers a consistent audio solution for smaller events and meetings.

The Acoustic calibration of the system was a fundamental part of the project, given the complex sound dynamics of the venue, including multiple balconies and highly reverberant surfaces.

“The calibration process presented several challenges, chiefly, ensure balanced sound distribution throughout the venue and, Secondly, achieve homogeneous low-frequency coverage in the audience area without interfering with the orchestra pit or stage”, says Paolo Capponi, K-array Product Support Specialist.

To address these challenges, the team of K-array and Senia opted for a Subwoofer configuration with cardioid suspension, which allowed better control of low frequency dispersion, while minimizing unwanted low-frequency energy on stage. Through extensive testing, using multiple measurement microphones throughout the theatre, The team achieved a precise and linear frequency response, ensuring not only a uniform and balanced sound experience for the audience, but also precise calibration for technical room engineers.

This project is the first major audio upgrade at the Bucharest National Opera since the 1980s. 1990. By modernizing the venue's audiovisual infrastructure, The installation sets a new benchmark for cultural institutions looking to integrate advanced technology without compromising their own heritage.