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"By integrating the amplifier directly into the loudspeaker, we saved considerably on rack space, with no amplifier, no dedicated processors, crossovers, controllers, limiters. In addition to saving space, this saved time in installation, setup and adjustment."
- Paul Garrity
Auerbach + Associates principal
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With its shimmering, glass-encased and transparent structure, the $200 million Rose Center for Earth and Space at New York City's American Museum of Natural History has created a Big Bang, garnering praise both as an architectural masterwork and a triumph of planetarium technology. Designed by James Stewart Polshek of Polshek and Partners, New York City, the Rose Center opened to an eager public with a blast of fanfare in February, 2000. The aluminum shrouded Center houses the stunning Cullman Hall of the Universe as well as the 21st century incarnation of the beloved Hayden Planetarium, with its gem, the Space Theater. Meyer Sound products are being utilized in both areas of the Center. A Meyer Sound Self-Powered UPA-1P system performs as the primary loudspeaker system for the Planetarium, located in the top half of the sphere. A portable Meyer Sound MSL 4 system serves the Cullman Hall of the Universe. "The Hayden Planetarium Space Theater provided special challenges," says Auerbach + Associates principal Paul Garrity, Auerbach's project manager for the Space Theater and pre-show. Auerbach + Associates provided theater consulting design services for the Hayden and designed the technical systems within the planetarium dome. "The architects designed a hemispherical perforated projection screen, with a 360-degree seating area with no 'front' to the room," Garrity says. "The system had to be state of the art, capable of precise control of sound placement and a high standard of sonic excellence not typically found in planetariums. Space for equipment was limited to a small control room and a five-foot high crawl space under the floor." There was no question, he says, that Meyer Sound Self-Powered Loudspeakers would be installed in the Space Theater, which seats 429 and features a customized Zeiss Star, ProDome 2-Pi Projector, Garrity says. "By integrating the amplifier directly into the loudspeaker, we saved considerably on rack space, with no amplifier, no dedicated processors, crossovers, controllers, limiters. In addition to saving space, this saved time in installation, setup and adjustment." Auerbach's design called for over 23 discrete loudspeakers, placed throughout the dome, to be aimed and equalized, as well as subwoofers, soffit delay loudspeakers and a bass shaker in every chair. A pre-opening, Millennium Eve gala imposed a hard deadline, he says. "With the Meyer Self-Powered series, the system could be hung, connected to power and audio, and equalized in a straightforward manner." The final result, he says, was breathtaking. "Controlled by a Level Control System matrix, sound effects, music and narration all could be panned around the room or above your head, swooping in any direction. The frequency response and coverage was smooth and natural, proving that the Meyer Sound loudspeakers would have been the right choice even if space had not been at a premium." Felix Robinson, Northeast regional operations manager for SPLIS (SPL/Integrated Solutions), which provided equipment and installation supervision for the Space Theater, says it's to be expected that the newest Planetarium should have the latest technology in its sound system. "Meyer has led the way with powered loudspeakers that consistently outperform the competition," Robinson says. "While other manufacturers had previously avoided marketing powered boxes, Meyer specialized in them. Now, ironically, every competitor is launching this type of product. Well, the benchmark has already been established, Meyer is the one to beat. This is truly a 'stellar' loudspeaker system." In the Cullman Hall of the Universe, a permanent exhibition hall on the lower level of the Rose Center, visitors are exposed to a variety of interactive and educational programming focusing on how the universe was formed. For the many special events held in the Hall's atrium, four Meyer Sound MSL-4 loudspeakers and two Meyer Sound PSW-4 subwoofers were specified to be used as a portable system, says Maria Castellucci, an associate with Shen Milsom & Wilke, Inc., New York, Cullman Hall of the Universe consultants. "The two-way self-powered full range loudspeakers were specifically chosen for their tight pattern control, for good speech intelligibility and clarity of sound in this relatively "lively" acoustical environment," Castellucci says. "These loudspeakers also provided the client with an easy portable setup, since the amplifier, controller and speaker are all in one enclosure." In summary, she says, the Meyer Sound loudspeakers were decided upon to satisfy the high audio-quality expectation of the American Museum of Natural History and their distinguished special events participants. EQUIPMENT LIST:
Hayden Planetarium Space Theater:
1 - Meyer Sound CQ-2 Self-Powered Dome loudspeaker "Zenith" (central) array
2 - Meyer Sound CQ-1 Self-Powered Dome loudspeakers, "Zenith" (central) array
20 - Meyer Sound UPA-1P Self-Powered Dome surround loudspeakers
2 - Meyer Sound CQ-1 Self-Powered loudspeakers (portable equipment) Cullman Hall of the Universe:
4 - Meyer Sound MSL 4
2 - Meyer Sound PSW 4
May, 2000
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FEATURED PRODUCTS
UPA-1P MSL-4 PSW-4 CQ-2 CQ-1
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