Fo Guang Shan Hsing Ma Buddhist Temple recently opened in the city of Johor Bahru, Malaysia. At its core is a grand Main Shrine Hall, capable of accommodating more than one-thousand people. To combat the challenges posed by the shape of the space and the materials used in construction, d&b audiotechnik loudspeakers and amplification was employed.
Kuala Lumpur-based Chan Lee Sound and Light, having served as Fo Guang Shan’s rental contractor for a number of years, recommended the audio solution. Chan Lee Sound has used d&b audiotechnik systems for several of the monastic order’s past events and this helped in the selection of the brand for a permanent installation.
Chan Lee Sound brought in long-time partner Search Music, the d&b audiotechnik distributor in Malaysia, to assist on the project.
Gilbert Seng from Search Music Malaysia explained: “The sound requirements in the new Main Shrine Hall were focused on clarity, to ensure everyone in the room could hear speech and chanting clearly and with dynamic tightness. The entire space is clad by tiles and hard surfaces, hence the reverb is very strong. We made some changes to the room, adding a wood partition and absorbent, acoustic material, but the choice of loudspeakers was the key decision in delivering a successful install.”
Seng and the team specified the d&b audiotechnik Y-series – both the Y8 and Y12 models – in left-right vertical line arrays. These were augmented with Y-sub cabinets.
Seng continued: “Y-series gives the audience great clarity and offers excellent coverage from a compact cabinet, so it was perfect for the Main Shrine Hall. The sound is clear and warm at the same time and the client is very satisfied with the tone for all functions, including – crucially – chanting and speech, as well as musical performances.”
In addition to eight Y8 and four Y12 dual eight-inch two-way line array cabinets and a pair of Y-subs to provide low-end reinforcement, a pair of Ti10L installation-specific line array speakers form a centre cluster above the stage. The system is powered by two d&b 30D amplifiers and a 10D unit.
Seng concluded: “This installation of Y-Series set the benchmark in Buddhist Temple project history in Malaysia. It’s the best in terms of brand, quality and investment, accelerating the standard of audio system usage, and setting examples for other Buddhist organisations in the country.”