Gongzhuling Grand Theatre’s newly constructed 1,100-seat auditorium presented a classic installation challenge: delivering world-class audio performance across a two-floor venue while honouring the cultural significance of the region’s historic Russian-built railway architecture.
The venue’s considerable depth and exacting requirements for both visual and acoustic excellence demanded a professional sound system solution that could match the cultural and historical importance of this landmark project.
The theatre marks the completion of a four-year restoration initiative protecting and revitalising historic buildings from the Chinese Middle Eastern Railway—a Russian-built transportation network that once connected northeast China. Designated as key national and cultural relics by China’s Central Committee in 2013, these structures now anchor a vibrant cultural destination, with the 15,000 sq m Grand Theatre serving as the city's premier performance venue.
Rightway Audio Consultants (RAC) worked with L-Acoustics to design a solution centred on A15 line arrays. The system’s adjustable horizontal dispersion angles proved essential for optimising coverage across the theatre's specific geometry, while the robust output capabilities met the venue's demanding performance requirements.
Zhang Lin, technical manager of RAC, mentioned: “The Gongzhuling Grand Theatre serves not just as an entertainment space, but as a symbol of cultural preservation and community pride. Every aspect of its audio system needs to reflect those standards. This project demanded audio excellence that could match the cultural and historical importance of the venue.”
Following evaluation of the venue’s acoustic characteristics and performance requirements, the design team specified a main LCR system of three A15 Focus and two A15 Wide per hang hidden behind acoustic screens, with two hangs of three SB18 II subwoofers providing extended low-frequency response for full-range performance demanded by theatrical and musical productions. Front-fill consists of six compact 5XT speakers, while a pair of X12 enclosures deliver in-fill. Four compact 5XT speakers on the stage lip deliver essential pit coverage, ensuring seamless audio continuity between the main PA and performance areas.
Stage monitoring capabilities are handled by 10 X12 speakers. The entire installation is powered by seven LA4X and two LA21Xi amplified controllers, providing sophisticated digital signal processing capabilities that allow for precise system tuning and ongoing optimization across various productions and events.
Zhang noted: “The versatility of A series was crucial for this application. The adjustable horizontal dispersion angles allowed us to optimise coverage for the theatre’s specific geometry, ensuring every seat receives the same exceptional audio quality regardless of location within the venue.”
The installation has established new standards for cultural venue audio in northeast China, with the discreet integration or A series preserving the theatre's architectural integrity while delivering professional-grade performance.
Zhang concluded: “Visitors to Gongzhuling Grand Theatre experience something truly special. The pristine audio quality delivered by the L-Acoustics system allows every nuance of a performance to be heard throughout the venue, creating an intimate connection between artists and audience despite the theatre's substantial size.”