Sound System Upgrade at University of Toronto Scarborough's Six Lecture Halls
The University of Toronto Scarborough has partnered with Contact Distribution and integrator Global Unified Solution Services (Global USS) to design and install a Renkus-Heinz sound system in six "feature" lecture theaters. The Sam Ibrahim Building, a five-story building at the university, houses lecture halls, faculty offices, collaboration spaces, and more.
The project team aimed to choose an audio system that delivers sound with optimum clarity, reducing the effects of reverberation and any other acoustic issues that can make speech more difficult to understand. This was particularly challenging in lecture theaters with irregular ceilings and seating arrangements, such as the unique 360-degree-seating arrangement of the Arrow Group Innovation Hall.
John Busza, CTS-D, systems designer at Global USS, explained that the installation team had to work with the space they were given, making Renkus-Heinz's adaptable solutions a perfect fit. The sound system was built using Renkus-Heinz's UBX Series passively steered columns and C Series point source loudspeakers.
In the Arrow Group Innovation Hall, five CX61 loudspeakers were mounted along each bulkhead, with three aimed towards the rear of the audience and two towards the front. Thirty CX61 loudspeakers were chosen for this hall. The UBX8 loudspeakers' 120-degree dispersion brings sound into the middle of the first few rows in lecture theaters with dual projection screen setups. The UBX8 loudspeakers' passive UniBeam technology helps deliver consistent coverage in such theaters.
Four of the lecture theaters received a pair of Renkus-Heinz UBX8 loudspeakers, and the fifth theater doubled up on this approach. The Renkus-Heinz UBX8 and CX61 loudspeakers are now equipped in the six Sam Ibrahim Building theaters, ensuring crystal-clear speech and no distracting reverberation.
Blake Markle, manager of Classroom Technology and Film Services at the University of Toronto Scarborough, expressed concern that the speaker arrays for the larger feature rooms wouldn't provide sufficient coverage due to irregular ceilings and seating arrangements. However, he was satisfied with the installation of the sound system, stating that it has significantly improved the audio quality in the lecture theaters.
John Busza, CTS-D, systems designer at Global USS, concluded that working with the University of Toronto Scarborough was an accomplishment, ensuring that students stay engaged and professors ensure their presentations are impactful. The Renkus-Heinz sound system has undeniably transformed the lecture halls at the University of Toronto Scarborough, providing a more immersive and engaging learning environment for all.
