Fohhn endures the elements at Sentosa’s Animal & Bird Encounters
Published: ASIA
SINGAPORE: The Animal & Bird Encounters attraction on Sentosa has been drawing crowds on a daily basis since opening in 2007. Located on Palawan Beach, the outdoor Palawan Amphitheatre hosts monkeys, reptiles, colourful parrots and an assortment of other birds such as cockatoos from its aviary. Whilst entertaining the crowds in the 350-capacity seating area and offering photographic opportunities, the keepers address pet and animal care and welfare during 20-minute shows. The original loudspeaker system was relied upon to draw audiences pre-show and build up the atmosphere, in addition to speech reinforcement and sound effects during the performances. Effects such as a whistle or a flying aircraft act as a trigger mechanism to cue some of the parrots to sing or fly to a certain location.
Given the combination of high humidity, rainfall and sunshine at the equatorial location, the loudspeaker system required an urgent upgrade. Following demonstrations, an IP65-rated weatherproof Fohhn speaker system was selected to meet the venue's needs. The mahogany brown cabinets blend into the wooden panelling behind the stage area, for which a pair of AT221W have been fixed to a horizontal beam in the centre of the roof apex above the stage. The lightweight 14kg 300W model combines a 10-inch woofer with a 1-inch compression driver on a rotatable horn.
Two LX150 line source models have been unobtrusively fixed 2m above the floor to the left and right, providing coverage for the peripheral seating areas. Measuring 1,460mm in height (130mm width and 120mm diameter), the 600W aluminium columns incorporate 12 4-inch woofers and a 1-inch compression driver to provide 140-degree horizontal coverage. The lower frequencies are extended to 35Hz by a pair of central AS31 700W 15-inch subwoofers hidden from view behind the rear screen at the same height.
D-4.1200 4x1,200W amplifiers provide the power for the columns and subwoofers, while D-2.750 2x750W power the two-way speakers. In addition, the two models also host integral DSP, which can be remote controlled via the Fohhn-Net remote on a PC or tablet. An Allen & Heath Qu-16 digital mixer links the signal path between the sources and the transducers.
Hirni and her team were surprised by the nuances of the new speaker system supplied by CLSPL. ‘We couldn’t hear our cues to come on stage before when we were waiting behind the screen, but it’s incredibly clear now,’ remarked Hirni after the 5.00pm daily show. ‘The cues for the birds are distinguishable and the audience understands what we are saying during our speeches and performances. In addition, the build-up music prior to the shows draws great attention from passers-by on the street.’