5 Words Media installs CODA Audio N-APS at Hope Church, Virginia

5 Words Media (5WM) is a US systems integrator based in Phoenix, Arizona. Founded in 2011, principally as a design/build company for houses of worship, its skilled team also designs and installs audio, lighting, and AVL systems regionally across the entertainment, education, and corporate sectors. In recent months 5WM has been working through a program of audio installations in houses of worship using CODA Audio loudspeakers. While the challenges of the Coronavirus have impacted the audio industry as never before, owner and design principal, Daniel Gourley and his team have worked tirelessly within regulatory constraints to install the systems while churches have been temporarily closed.

A recent initiative by 5WM was its #FreeChurchAV contest which invited churches across the US to pitch for a new AV system by telling their story and highlighting the benefits that upgrading technology within their church could bring. Music and the spoken word play a fundamental part in a church's activities, so in tandem with a number of their suppliers, 5WM put together a valuable AV offer which attracted more than 500 entries across the country. The lucky recipient of the system was Hope Church in Danville, Virginia, where 5 Words felt that a new system would have the greatest impact. Having taken account of the Church's requirements, Gourley undertook a thorough design process, before arranging the shipment of all materials and sending a team from Arizona to complete the install. A major part of the project was the purchase of a CODA Audio N-APS system, which was installed in time for the church's post-lockdown reopening.

Gourley takes up the story:

"I first became aware of CODA Audio when I stumbled into an InfoComm listening room in Las Vegas in 2016. The presentation had several smaller boxes on display -- HOPS5 was one -- and the owner was discussing CODA's unique approach to manufacturing pro audio loudspeaker systems. The sound was clean and precise and I was 'hooked.'

"At Hope Church, we wanted to install a compact system that had a powerful output. The church's ceiling was only 18' high and needed not only to carry the weight of the N-APS top boxes, but the subs flown above as well. Initially, weight was a concern -- the church was built in the 1970s and wasn't designed to carry heavy loads flown overhead -- but the CODA speakers are so light it wasn't a problem. I've always been amazed at how much sound comes out of such a small box! The system was loaded into the System Optimizer which uses CODA's predictive software, and selected two HOPS8i boxes as sidefills for the alcove spaces on each side of the stage.

"The room itself was actually the main challenge due to its 18' elevation dropping to nine feet at the side areas. The DSP in the LINUS10C amplifiers allowed us to delay and EQ the main PA from the sidefills to avoid any comb filtering and phasing in the seating area. Once installed, we ended up with a system capable of 106dB at +/- 1.9dB of broadband audio."

5WM took full advantage of the CODA Audio N-APS system. This is a unique category of ultra-compact loudspeaker for small to medium size venues that combines the versatility of a point source with the perfect arrayability of a line array, offering designers the absolute maximum in power and flexibility, the company says. With dynamic range and variable horizontal directivity, N-APS contains the very latest in CODA's driver and system design technology, including Dynamic Airflow Cooling (DAC) which dramatically improves heat dissipation, doubling power-handling and maximum SPL capability compared to conventional systems. Hope Church can accommodate around 400 seats, making it well suited for the system's proven power and coverage.

Hope Church's student ministry director and tech leader, Jonathan Wright, was present with his team when the system was first switched on:

"To be selected for the install was super exciting because we knew just how much improving our AV facilities would positively impact in our work here at Hope Church. The 5 Words Media team was so thorough and professional in everything they did, whilst at the same time feeling like friends we'd known for years. As the install progressed, it became clear that this was an absolute state-of-the-art project. When they first switched on the CODA system, we were pretty stunned by the power and clarity -- I was blown away. You go to the furthest corners of the room and there's just no difference in output or quality. I couldn't stop smiling and laughing, because it was so much better than I'd ever experienced. The Tech team was in awe and beyond excited. Our other staff members were also in disbelief at how amazing the system sounds, and I still go in each week amazed at the difference. Nothing from us but compliments and appreciation for CODA Audio!"

Since the installation at Hope Church, the 5WM team have installed another N-APS system at Desert View Bible Church in Phoenix, Arizona. Complemented by N-Sub, HOPS8, HOPS5 and ground stacked U4 subwoofers, the system in Daniel Gourley's words:

"...really thumps, and the church couldn't be happier with its investment in CODA Audio."

Three more systems including N-RAY and ViRAY are soon destined for churches in California, Texas and Arizona.

Luke Jenks, managing director of CODA Audio USA concludes:

"5 Words Media's program of CODA Audio installations, particularly during these difficult times, says much about the trust that expert integrators have in our products. As the reaction from Hope Church attests, Daniel and his team are using CODA products to great effect, taking full advantage of their quality to achieve the kind of customer satisfaction that is the key to driving great business."

Video: Interview with CODA from Hope Church (Danville, VA)

Video: Hope Church Reaction to hearing CODA Audio system for the first time:

Churches interested in 5 Words Media's #FreeChurchAV 2020 giveaway can sign up at www.freechurchav.com.