EAW QX Series delivers the message in New Calvary Baptist Worship Centre
Published: WORSHIP
USA: When Calvary Baptist Church in Alexandria, Louisiana decided an expansion was needed to accommodate its growing community, the church wanted to ensure a high-quality worship experience for its members. Calvary Baptist collaborated with Dallas, TX-based design firm Idibri on the new worship centre’s design and seating layout, acoustics, theatrical lighting, stage and data system as well as the new audio/video system. The 2,000 seat, fan-shaped sanctuary features moderately graded main floor seating that merges into tiered seating toward the back of the room. Because the room will host both contemporary and traditional services, it was important that the acoustics and sound system be equally flexible, leading to the deployment of EAW’s QX Series loudspeakers.
‘We recommended an LCR system using QX loudspeakers to ensure vocal intelligibility while maintaining the musical quality they required,’ explains Casey Sherred, Idibri consultant. ‘The goal is to make sure the audio system performs optimally in the space. EAW’s QX Series loudspeakers are an excellent point source solution with exceptional musicality – ideal for this application.
‘With an LCR system you have a lot of cabinets in clusters in close proximity,’ he adds. ‘The QX loudspeakers have excellent off-axis response, which makes it easy to put them in arrays and clusters. They also sound terrific which helps on the music side of the equation.’
Mr Sherred specified a total of 15 QX564i loudspeakers. Each cluster is made up of five boxes in a three over two configuration (long throw over short throw). The QX564i is loaded with an efficient mid/high compression driver with a 60-degree (h) x 45-degrees (v) constant directivity horn. Four ‘Phase Aligned’ 12-inch low frequency transducers arranged as vertical and horizontal pairs in a pattern said to provide beneficial interaction based on their spacing, extending pattern control well into the low frequency range. The loudspeaker clusters are hung behind a grill cloth façade, positioned directly above the lip of the stage.
‘We did an LCR design for vocal and speech intelligibility, routing the majority of the vocals to the centre cluster,’ Mr Sherred continues. ‘The mix to the left and right clusters allows the engineer to distribute the instruments and choir across a wide area which provides the audience with a wide, enveloping sound. It’s really the best of both worlds for this space.’