1 SOUND Provides Versatile Audio Solution for Historic Levoy Theatre

	Lou Mannarino doing final tuning.

With its rich history and diverse portfolio of acts, the Levoy Theatre in Millville, New Jersey has undergone a full audio renovation, under the consultation of KMK Technologies, utilizing 1 SOUND premium speaker technology and designs.

Two Contour CT28 point sources were installed on each side of the proscenium, with an additional two dedicated for balcony seating, replacing the preexisting line array system. The Contour CT28 is a compact, three-way, horn-loaded loudspeaker with a medium-long throw; it is capable of delivering a maximum SPL of 145dB. The company says it has a notable lack of distortion at higher volumes while sounding intimate at lower volumes, making especially suitable for a venue that hosts a variety of performances. CT28 wall brackets were used for mounting to the proscenium, allowing for horizontal and vertical aiming of the speaker without having to remove it.

Six Panorama MS34s were utilized as front fills on the lip of the stage, linked to each other to run off of one cable. These are used with an M+S controller, running all the MS34s in mono + stereo mode; this allows anyone seated in their field to hear stereo. The speakers are flexible when the stage thrust is removed and the layout changes from an orchestra pit to a rock-band format. Three additional Panorama MS34s were mounted under the balcony as fills.

For comprehensive low end coverage, two SUB2112's were deployed on either side of the stage.

Sean Pedrick, technical director at the Levoy, says, "Since the early 1900s, the Levoy Theatre has been an intersection of culture, education, and entertainment in the South Jersey area. Through various trials and iterations, the Levoy has made a mark on the city and people of Millville as a vaudeville theatre, Warner Bros motion picture cinema, entertainment center, and more. Today, the Levoy hosts a variety of live musicals and plays, comedians and movies, tribute bands and national touring artists, children's Theatre programming, educational classes, and more.

When the search for an updated sound reinforcement system began in the summer of 2022, we quickly realized that there could be no compromise in either audio quality or aesthetic beauty. A solution was needed that would create an experience of even and impactful sound coverage, sonic intelligibility and clarity, and minimal visual impact on the ornate design of the theatre and stage-speakers that both sounded and looked like they were designed for the room from the start. To that end, Thomas Knauss, principal of KMK Technologies, was enlisted as the audio consultant by the Levoy Theatre and he connected us with Lou Mannarino and the team at 1 SOUND.

"My initial thoughts were those of doubt and suspicion," Pedrick adds. "I thought I knew enough about speakers and sound to know what we needed and to never consider going with a company who I hadn't heard of...but boy, was I wrong. After hearing a demo at our venue of 1 SOUNDs Contour CT28s, SUB2112s, and Panorama MS34s, I was blown away. And after speaking with Lou, I was instantly a believer in this company. It is refreshing to speak to a CEO who cares more about developing great products than about selling you on existing products. Lou is one of those people who, when you are around him, you don't know whether to ask every question on your mind, or to sit back and listen to him speak what's on his mind. There is so much knowledge and wisdom to be had either way.

"Shortly after the speaker demo, the decision was made by the Levoy Theatre to purchase a 1 SOUND system consisting of six Contour CT28s, two SUB2112s, nine Panorama MS34s, and all necessary amplifiers. Throughout the installation process, Lou was personally available by cell phone and email to assist in any questions, advice, or assistance that was needed. He even made the time to visit our venue at the end of the installation and commission our sound system (room delay, EQ, etc.) at no charge to us.

"Reception to the new 1 SOUND system has been overwhelmingly positive," Pedrick adds. "Levoy Theatre board members, staff, and patrons have remarked how in some places the speakers disappear into the architecture of the theatre and in other places they actually enhance the ornateness of the building. Traveling artists and sound engineers have appreciated the even coverage and sonic clarity of the new system.

"The architectural design and ornateness of the Levoy Theatre have always set it apart and placed it in a category of its own in the South Jersey area. With the upgrade of our sound system to 1 SOUND, we now have another way that we are set apart."