EAW Speaker Systems Chosen To Reinforce Pope Benedict XVI

Barcelona, Spain-based production sound company FOCUS, S.A. provided a massive EAW speaker system for the tens of thousands of people who recently turned out to witness Pope Benedict XVI consecrate the city's renowned La Sagrada Familia church. Focus deployed the system, which included nearly 150 KF730 compact line array modules plus dozens of other EAW speakers. The system was powered by Lab.gruppen amplification with speaker management by EAW UX8800 and Lake LM 26 digital signal processors, in the main Plaza Gaudí and throughout the streets in the surrounding area.

The EAW speakers deployed at the Plaza Gaudí included 24 KF760 long-throw line array modules, eight KF730 compact line array modules, eight KF650 compact array loudspeakers and four KF750 high output array loudspeakers, all under the control of four UX8800 digital signal processors. For additional coverage, including delays, Focus provided 24 KF760, 24 KF750, 28 KF650, and 68 JFX260i compact full-range loudspeakers, all managed by a 21 UX8800 processors.

"The major challenge when we were appointed to supply an outdoor sound system at the Sagrada Familia for this event was that we had to provide coverage for around 60,000 people," says Pepe Ferrer of Focus S.A. "Right from the start we saw that the best solution was without doubt the EAW KF Series."

Ferrer adds, "People were located in different streets close to the Sagrada Familia, which forced us to create a different system for each location. Most of the streets had a system composed of eight KF730 modules, assuring a coverage area of 80m [260']. We installed three arrays, each of eight KF760s, in front of the Sagrada Familia. We completed the system with KF750s for the delay, and KF650 and JFX260i units to cover the rest of audience."

He concluded, "Thanks to the fantastic team and the awesome advantages of the KF Series from easy set up to quality, everything was a great success."

Both the EAW and Lab.gruppen products were supplied to Focus, S.A. by locally based Pro3 & Co. One of the most reputable pro-audio distribution companies in Spain, Pro3's highly experienced team represents both brands on an exclusive basis in Spain.