The audio of 1 Sound surrounds the tour of the new Niagara Falls museum

Technology and history are combined in the two new exhibitions that this Canadian museum, formerly a power plant, offers its visitors, with live demos, projections and environmental experiences that are accompanied by an audio system of 1 Sound high performance, composed of Branch AV.

The Niagara Parks Power Station, in the Canadian city of Ontario, has had a transformative process, going from being a powerful industrial installation to an immersive museum, that now combines history, technology and narrative.

To differentially display two new exhibits: Tesla Coil y Tunnel, those responsible have turned to the integrator Branch AV to define and install a new high performance sound system that enriches the overall visitor experience.

The goal was to provide high-quality audio support that would give a immersive coverage at live demos, video projections, environmental events and experiences offered by both exhibitions, which Branch AV prescribed the speakers for Tower LCC44, supported by low frequency column LF44 for the sample Tesla Coil, and the subwoofers WSUB45 to Tunnel, from the manufacturer 1 Sound.

How do you explain George Puthenkulam, socio de Branch AV, “the series 1 Sound Tower was the perfect fit, as it offers exceptional clarity and power. Presenters walk directly in front of the speakers, and we have achieved the best museum sound”.

Acoustic challenges

The industrial architecture of this power plant, now converted into a museum, presented significant acoustic challenges, con high ceilings, glass walls and metal structures, for the installation of a sound system that would manage and synchronize with the different exhibition proposals.

In this sense, The Tesla coil display required a powerful audio solution that would give coverage of presentations every hour, video projections, music and event playback private.

The configuration integrated by Branch AV is structured in the models 1 Sound Tower LCC44 as main speakers, which are supported by two Tower LF44 low frequency extension columns, to offer a High-fidelity, full-range sound, with optimal clarity to respond to this multipurpose dynamic of the sample.

Las cardioid properties of LCC44 speakers, con rear cancellation and controlled dispersion, have been crucial in ensuring that sound did not leak into other display areas or reverberate off the metal structure of the alternator, where the Tesla coils were mounted to perform daily presentations in front of the speakers.

The LF44 low frequency columns complement the system by providing a balanced bass response and melodic, while improving music playback and voice intelligibility.

The team also included a wireless microphone Shure Beta 58A used by museum staff for hourly presentations, guaranteeing a clear communication with visitors, even with intense ambient noise.

During the installation project, Branch AV collaborated closely with the hardware team at 1 Sound to develop custom speaker stands tower, which were installed securely within the alternator structure. The compact size of the LCC44 allowed for this precise placement, while maintaining an impeccable aesthetic for the exhibition.

They hid the towers from sight, mounting speakers on an exhibition structure. The LCC44's line array design also avoided feedback, which was essential to ensure that the presenters could walk directly in front of the speakers without problems.

Water and humidity resistance

Located in a space excavated under Niagara Falls, the exhibition Tunnel required a waterproof sound system, which has a constant flow, and the humidity.

Tower LCC44 speakers and WSUB45 subwoofers from 1 Sound, con IP55 rating, They were ideal for this humid environment. The long range capability of this equipment minimized the number of units needed, necessary, while guaranteeing a deep, immersive sound throughout the tunnel.

The audio system installed in both exhibitions is designed not only to offer high performance and functionality, but for your simple handling, so that museum staff can use it regularly with maximum ease.

“Speaker installation 1 SOUND at the Niagara Parks Power Plant Museum has set a new standard for museum audio, placing itself at the forefront in creating interactive experiences for its visitors”, concludes Puthenkulam.