{"id":1587,"date":"2023-09-12T16:12:00","date_gmt":"2023-09-12T16:12:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/3wmcomms.com\/?post_type=project&p=1587"},"modified":"2023-09-12T16:12:01","modified_gmt":"2023-09-12T16:12:01","slug":"active-audio-steps-up-with-biggest-ever-installation-in-major-rail-station","status":"publish","type":"project","link":"https:\/\/3wmcomms.com\/fr\/project\/active-audio-steps-up-with-biggest-ever-installation-in-major-rail-station\/","title":{"rendered":"Active Audio steps up with biggest-ever installation in major rail station"},"content":{"rendered":"\n[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ fullwidth=”on” _builder_version=”4.6.5″ _module_preset=”default” da_disable_devices=”off|off|off” da_is_popup=”off” da_exit_intent=”off” da_has_close=”on” da_alt_close=”off” da_dark_close=”off” da_not_modal=”on” da_is_singular=”off” da_with_loader=”off” da_has_shadow=”on”][et_pb_fullwidth_header title=”Active Audio steps up with biggest-ever installation in major rail station” _builder_version=”4.6.5″ _module_preset=”default” title_font=”Abel|700|||||||” subhead_font=”ABeeZee||||||||” background_enable_color=”off” background_image=”https:\/\/3wmcomms.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/DSC_0635.jpg” background_position=”top_center” hover_enabled=”0″ title_text_shadow_style=”preset4″ title_text_shadow_color=”#000000″ subhead=”Sixty-four Active Audio column loudspeakers are directing crystal-clear audio to the passengers of one of Belgium\u2019s busiest railway stations.” sticky_enabled=”0″ title_text=”DSC_0635″][\/et_pb_fullwidth_header][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.6.5″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”1px||27px|||” da_disable_devices=”off|off|off” da_is_popup=”off” da_exit_intent=”off” da_has_close=”on” da_alt_close=”off” da_dark_close=”off” da_not_modal=”on” da_is_singular=”off” da_with_loader=”off” da_has_shadow=”on”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.6.5″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”15px|auto||auto||” custom_padding=”11px|||||”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.6.5″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.6.5″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”ABeeZee||||||||” text_font_size=”15px” custom_margin=”4px|||||” hover_enabled=”0″ sticky_enabled=”0″]

Nantes (France), 12th June 2023<\/strong> \u2013 Active Audio is celebrating the largest deployment to date of its intelligent, steerable StepArray SA180S column loudspeakers \u2013 64 of which are providing ultimate intelligibility as part of a unique new sound system deployment at Leuven railway station in Flemish Brabant, Belgium.<\/p>\n

Originally constructed in the 1830s, the current station design dates back to 1875, when it was rebuilt in the eclectic style. Since 2000, it has undergone a series of renovations, including the addition of monumental roof comprising 16 sloping white domes, designed by Philippe Samyn and Partners to resemble sails fluttering in the wind, with 13 railway lines underneath serving national and international destinations.<\/p>\n

The complex acoustic environment created by this mix of architectural styles, as well as restrictions on how the loudspeakers could be installed, presented the main challenges for Active Audio and system integrator TVV Sound, according to Arbane Groupe\u2019s Eric Grandmougin, who defined the system\u2019s specifications after modelling the acoustics of the station.<\/p>\n[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ _builder_version=”4.6.5″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#ffffff” custom_padding=”0px||0px|||” hover_enabled=”0″ sticky_enabled=”0″][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.6.5″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/3wmcomms.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/leuven_active_audio-1024×511.png” title_text=”_leuven_active_audio” _builder_version=”4.6.5″ _module_preset=”default” width=”85%” module_alignment=”center” hover_enabled=”0″ sticky_enabled=”0″ custom_margin=”||15px|||”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.6.5″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/3wmcomms.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/4-1024×550.png” title_text=”4″ _builder_version=”4.6.5″ _module_preset=”default” width=”85%” hover_enabled=”0″ sticky_enabled=”0″][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.6.5″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”-1px|auto||auto||” custom_padding=”21px|||||”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.6.5″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.6.5″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”ABeeZee||||||||” text_font_size=”15px” custom_padding=”||1px|||” hover_enabled=”0″ sticky_enabled=”0″]Grandmougin explains that the design of the SA180S \u2013 which provides a 15m SPL of 97dB in a slimline 1,840mm \u00d7 124mm package \u2013 allowed his team to experiment with installing the loudspeakers horizontally, enabling them to work around the restrictions inherent in the space.\n \n\u201cThis new way of using Active Audio column loudspeakers was first tested and validated internally, before being integrated into an electroacoustic model of the station to predict the system\u2019s overall performance,\u201d he comments. \u201cThe results obtained were in line with the operator\u2019s requirements, and validation listening sessions were carried out in Belgium at our distributor, TVV Sound. This project enabled us to validate the performance of the SA108S in a horizontal position, as well as the homogeneity of the directivity.\u201d\n \n\u201cMost of Leuven station\u2019s platforms are covered by a large, high arched canopy, while some are covered by a low, flat roof,\u201d confirms Edo Dijkstra, CEO of TVV Sound, which was contracted by Infrabel, the Belgian public railway operator, to overhaul the previous 20 years old PA system. \u201cThe renovation included the replacement of the existing loudspeakers under these canopies, both high and low. Architecturally, nothing was allowed to change the lay-out of the existing loudspeakers.\u201d\n \nIn Leuven, the StepArray columns, in addition to being mounted in a horizontal orientation, were coupled together in pairs (32 \u00d7 2 SA180S), helping TVV Sound to work around the space constraints while still being able to adjust the speakers\u2019 directivity \u2013 an essential aspect of the final installation, which needed to be capable of delivering clear public announcements, along with ambient background music, to the more than 8 million passengers annually who pass through the station.\n \n\u201cIt was only with a beam steering system that we were able to achieve perfect sound reproduction,\u201d explains Dijkstra, referring to the DGRC (Digital & Geometric Radiation Control) steering technology built in to the StepArray series, which was key to combatting the acoustic reflections produced by the station\u2019s concrete and glass structure. DGRC uses a patented arrangement of speakers that reduces the number of amplifiers necessary to drive the loudspeaker system while still ensuring excellent directivity.[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/3wmcomms.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/DSC_0635.jpg” title_text=”DSC_0635″ _builder_version=”4.6.5″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#000000″ width=”60%” module_alignment=”center” hover_enabled=”0″ sticky_enabled=”0″][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.6.5″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ sticky_enabled=”0″]\u201cMost of Leuven station\u2019s platforms are covered by a large, high arched canopy, while some are covered by a low, flat roof,\u201d confirms Edo Dijkstra, CEO of TVV Sound, which was contracted by Infrabel, the Belgian public railway operator, to overhaul the previous 20 years old PA system. \u201cThe renovation included the replacement of the existing loudspeakers under these canopies, both high and low. Architecturally, nothing was allowed to change the lay-out of the existing loudspeakers.\u201d\n \nIn Leuven, the StepArray columns, in addition to being mounted in a horizontal orientation, were coupled together in pairs (32 \u00d7 2 SA180S), helping TVV Sound to work around the space constraints while still being able to adjust the speakers\u2019 directivity \u2013 an essential aspect of the final installation, which needed to be capable of delivering clear public announcements, along with ambient background music, to the more than 8 million passengers annually who pass through the station.\n \n\u201cIt was only with a beam steering system that we were able to achieve perfect sound reproduction,\u201d explains Dijkstra, referring to the DGRC (Digital & Geometric Radiation Control) steering technology built in to the StepArray series, which was key to combatting the acoustic reflections produced by the station\u2019s concrete and glass structure. DGRC uses a patented arrangement of speakers that reduces the number of amplifiers necessary to drive the loudspeaker system while still ensuring excellent directivity.\n \n\u201cActive Audio’s StepArray loudspeakers are renowned for their optimal intelligibility and acoustic comfort,\u201d he adds, \u201cand unique because of their controlled directivity. They are also the only company whose products can guarantee the horizontal beam steering we needed for the Leuven project.\u201d\n \nEschewing traditional analogue networking, the Leuven installation makes use of the audio-over-IP protocol Dante \u2013 a set-up made possible by the choice of Powersoft Quattrocanali 1204 DSP+D amplifiers, 32 of which power the 64 StepArray. DSP+D versions of the Quattrocanali, Powersoft\u2019s flexible solution for small and medium-sized installations, allow full control of the amplifier, as well as system and load monitoring, via a PC running either Dante Controller or Powersoft\u2019s Armon\u00edaPlus software.\n \nBeyond the performance of its StepArray speakers, the Leuven project demonstrated the ability of Arbane Groupe to respond to the specific demands of a large-scale installation, according to Grandmougin. \u201cIndeed, the horizontal use of the columns required mechanical adjustments to the loudspeakers in order to allow easy installation of the system,\u201d he adds, \u201ctaking into account the specifics of railway stations, which are not very simple places in terms of integration.\u201d\n \nTom De Bie from Infrabel says the company is \u201cvery satisfied\u201d with the new sound system, which has been painted to match the station\u2019s existing colour scheme. \u201cThe clarity of the audio provided to travellers has improved considerably,\u201d he comments.\n \nDijkstra is similarly proud of what Active Audio and TVV Sound have achieved in such an acoustically challenging environment. \u201cA station like Leuven, a unique building with complex acoustics, requires a more complex sound system to achieve the required quality,\u201d he concludes. \u201cAs is clear from the result, StepArray, with its versatility and unique DGRC technology, is that sound system.\u201d[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.6.5″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#000000″ custom_margin=”-28px||-28px|||” da_disable_devices=”off|off|off” da_is_popup=”off” da_exit_intent=”off” da_has_close=”on” da_alt_close=”off” da_dark_close=”off” da_not_modal=”on” da_is_singular=”off” da_with_loader=”off” da_has_shadow=”on”][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_4,1_2,1_4″ _builder_version=”4.6.5″ _module_preset=”default” width=”90%” max_width=”1400px”][et_pb_column type=”1_4″ _builder_version=”4.6.5″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_testimonial author=”Thomas Richard” job_title=”Editor” company_name=”Systems Integration Asia\/Entertainment Technology Asia” quote_icon_color=”#ffffff” quote_icon_background_color=”#000000″ _builder_version=”4.6.5″ _module_preset=”default” body_font=”ABeeZee||||||||” body_text_align=”left” author_font=”Abel|700|||||||” author_font_size=”18px” position_font=”|300|||||||” background_color=”#000000″ inline_fonts=”ABeeZee”]

“I<\/span> believe 3WM Communications will add value to any organisation as they are able to provide a birds-eye view of what is happening in the industry and propose plans to benefit from a company\u2019s competitive advantage over competitors.“<\/span><\/span><\/p>[\/et_pb_testimonial][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.6.5″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.6.5″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”Abel||||||||” text_text_color=”#ffffff” text_font_size=”30px” text_orientation=”center”]

Contact Us<\/p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_contact_form _builder_version=”4.6.5″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_contact_field field_id=”Name” field_title=”Name” _builder_version=”3.16″ button_text_size__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_text_size__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_text_size__hover_enabled=”off” button_text_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_text_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_text_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_border_width__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_border_width__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_border_width__hover_enabled=”off” button_border_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_border_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_border_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_border_radius__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_border_radius__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_border_radius__hover_enabled=”off” button_letter_spacing__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_letter_spacing__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_letter_spacing__hover_enabled=”off” button_bg_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_bg_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_bg_color__hover_enabled=”off”][\/et_pb_contact_field][et_pb_contact_field field_id=”Email” field_title=”Email Address” field_type=”email” _builder_version=”4.6.5″ button_text_size__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_text_size__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_text_size__hover_enabled=”off” button_text_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_text_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_text_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_border_width__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_border_width__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_border_width__hover_enabled=”off” button_border_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_border_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_border_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_border_radius__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_border_radius__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_border_radius__hover_enabled=”off” button_letter_spacing__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_letter_spacing__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_letter_spacing__hover_enabled=”off” button_bg_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_bg_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_bg_color__hover_enabled=”off”][\/et_pb_contact_field][et_pb_contact_field field_id=”Message” field_title=”Message” field_type=”text” fullwidth_field=”on” _builder_version=”3.16″ button_text_size__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_text_size__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_text_size__hover_enabled=”off” button_text_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_text_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_text_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_border_width__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_border_width__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_border_width__hover_enabled=”off” button_border_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_border_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_border_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_border_radius__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_border_radius__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_border_radius__hover_enabled=”off” button_letter_spacing__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_letter_spacing__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_letter_spacing__hover_enabled=”off” button_bg_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_bg_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_bg_color__hover_enabled=”off”][\/et_pb_contact_field][\/et_pb_contact_form][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_4″ _builder_version=”4.6.5″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_testimonial author=”Francesco Franicchi” job_title=”Brand & Communications Director” company_name=”Powersoft” quote_icon_color=”#ffffff” quote_icon_background_color=”#000000″ _builder_version=”4.6.5″ _module_preset=”default” body_font=”ABeeZee||||||||” body_text_align=”right” body_text_color=”#ffffff” author_font=”Abel|700|||||||” author_text_align=”right” author_text_color=”#6b6b6b” author_font_size=”18px” position_text_color=”#6b6b6b” company_font=”ABeeZee||||||||” company_text_color=”#6b6b6b” background_color=”#000000″]

“We were quickly impressed with 3WM Communications and their international skills, their work and their dedication. <\/span><\/p>\n

It is a real pleasure to work with them.”<\/span><\/p>[\/et_pb_testimonial][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Sixty-four Active Audio column loudspeakers are directing crystal-clear audio to the passengers of one of Belgium\u2019s busiest railway stations.<\/p>","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1588,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"project_category":[23],"project_tag":[],"class_list":["post-1587","project","type-project","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","project_category-active-audio"],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/3wmcomms.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/project\/1587","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/3wmcomms.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/project"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/3wmcomms.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/project"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/3wmcomms.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/3wmcomms.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1587"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/3wmcomms.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/project\/1587\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1611,"href":"https:\/\/3wmcomms.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/project\/1587\/revisions\/1611"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/3wmcomms.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1588"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/3wmcomms.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1587"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"project_category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/3wmcomms.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/project_category?post=1587"},{"taxonomy":"project_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/3wmcomms.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/project_tag?post=1587"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}