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Adelaide Entertainment Centre Theatre Installs New L-Acoustics L2 Audio System

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Adelaide Entertainment Centre Theatre Upgrades with New L-Acoustics L2 System

The Adelaide Entertainment Centre (AEC) Theatre has completed the installation of a new L-Acoustics L2 line array sound system, replacing a previous system in use for approximately 15 years. The system was designed and installed by the Adelaide-based company Novatech.

The venue, which underwent a major renovation in 2010, features flexible seating and stage configurations, and the new audio system was designed to perform consistently across all of them without physical reconfiguration.

Venue Background

The AEC Theatre, located above the main arena of the Adelaide Entertainment Centre, opened in 1991. It underwent a $52 million renovation in 2010.

The theatre is a multi-purpose space with several configurations:

  • It can seat 1,900 people in a traditional theatre-style layout.
  • It can host 1,000 attendees for cocktail events.
  • It can be set up for 700 guests in a banquet format.
  • The space can also be divided into two separate sections.

Motorized bleacher seating can be deployed or retracted, and the stage position can change depending on the event type.

System Specifications

The new installation is based on L-Acoustics' L2 "Progressive Ultra-Dense Line Source" technology.

The primary design brief required the system to perform effectively across all of the theatre's room and stage configurations without requiring any alteration to the array's physical geometry or rigging. – Declan Smith, Venue Project Manager, Novatech

Main Arrays & High-Frequency Coverage:
  • Each side of the system consists of two L2 and one L2D speaker elements.
  • Six L-Acoustics X8 speakers provide front-fill coverage for the area near the stage.
Low-Frequency Support:
  • Six L-Acoustics KS28 subwoofers are flown behind each main array in a cardioid configuration to control low-frequency directionality.
  • For events requiring higher sound pressure levels (SPL), an additional twelve floor-deployed KS28 subwoofers are available. Some sources note these may be deployed with pre-attached Kara II front-fill speakers.
Processing, Amplification & Control:
  • The system is powered and processed by L-Acoustics LA7.16 amplified controllers.
  • System management and optimization are handled by an L-Acoustics P1 system processor and LA Network Manager software.
  • A custom drive rack was built, incorporating an XTA MX36 console switcher, an SSL interface, and a Stream Deck Studio for control.
  • The system operates on a fiber-based Audio Video Bridging (AVB) network, with redundant Cat5 AVB and analog signal paths.

Design, Installation & Rationale

The project began with Novatech winning the contract to design and install a replacement for the venue's previous L-Acoustics V-DOSC PA system.

Design Process:

  • The system design was modeled using L-Acoustics' SoundVision software.
  • According to Novatech Managing Director Leko Novakovic, the modeling phase indicated that one L2 and one L2D element per side would provide adequate acoustic coverage for the venue.
  • The venue opted for the final configuration of two L2 and one L2D per side. Multiple sources cite a desire for increased power and a more substantial physical array as factors in this decision.
  • Novakovic stated that, according to L-Acoustics, one L2 element is acoustically equivalent to four of the manufacturer's older K2 line array elements.

Installation & Commissioning:

  • The system was tuned using the M1 measurement and optimization workflow within the P1 processor.
  • The L2 system is designed for simplified deployment, with each array element requiring only two or three physical connections. System steering for different coverage patterns is managed via software rather than manual adjustment of pins or angles.

Reported Outcomes & Feedback

The system has been operational and used for several events, including the Science Excellence Awards 2025.

  • Leko Novakovic reported receiving positive feedback from audiences and visiting touring engineers. He noted comments regarding the system's sonic detail and the effectiveness of its cardioid subwoofer control.
  • Declan Smith stated that the system delivers substantial headroom across musical genres and has received consistently positive feedback from shows. He also highlighted the system's strong high-frequency clarity.
  • Novakovic also stated that Novatech is acquiring its own L2 system for its rental inventory.