Mahindra University is a top-ranked private university in Hyderabad, Telangana, India. An integral part of the campus is the Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam Auditorium, a multipurpose space developed as part of a wider campus expansion and used for events, musical performances, seminars and daily classroom lectures.
To support both teaching and cultural programming, the university installed a Renkus-Heinz C series point source system, designed to deliver excellent speech intelligibility and high-quality sound across every application.
The design brings together two passive CX151B Complex Conic loudspeakers, 10 compact, passive coaxial CX61B loudspeakers and 10 DRS18-2B subwoofers, creating a full-range reinforcement solution that provides even coverage, controlled output and reliable intelligibility throughout the 1,100-seat space.
System design and specification were led by Sriram B.R., design director at AV consultancy firm Sonics, with CMPPL responsible for integration. Alphatec, Renkus-Heinz’s local distributor, supported setup and commissioning, while Audio-Technica microphones improved voice capture and audience interaction.
Sriram explained: “The large hall required an audio system that delivers strong coverage without adding unnecessary complexity or visual intrusion. Before the new system was installed, students had to share microphones during lectures and sessions, so improving voice reinforcement was also an important consideration.”
He continued: “The auditorium is an enclosed, air-conditioned space with no windows, making acoustic control especially important. We worked closely with the architects to ensure loudspeaker placement met both acoustic and aesthetic requirements. By integrating the system around the stage and proscenium area, with key elements mounted high above the front of the stage, we were able to direct sound precisely into the raked seating area while maintaining clear front-to-back coverage and minimising visual impact. The compact C Series form factor made this easier.”
Narasa Raju, manager at Tech Mahindra, said acoustic containment was also central to the design: “It was imperative that the sound stayed within the auditorium to avoid excessive sound spill. The new system ensures every note and every word can be heard clearly within the room, without leaking into surrounding areas of the campus.”
System control is managed via Dante and a touch panel with presets, allowing university staff to operate the room with ease. Raju said: “Only a small amount of training was needed, and staff now benefit from smooth day-to-day operation. The intuitive system gives us confidence that, whatever the room is being used for, the sound will perform exactly as required.”
Beyond the loudspeaker system, the auditorium was equipped with a wider AV infrastructure, including wireless microphones, a pass-around microphone, mixing, DSP, switching, video systems, screens and cameras to support teaching, presentations and event production.
The overall installation was delivered against a strict deadline, with the auditorium needing to be fully operational in time for its inauguration. Sriram explained: “With support from Karan Kathuria, director of sales & business development, and the wider Renkus-Heinz team, minor issues were promptly resolved, helping us to keep on schedule.”
The C series system has improved day-to-day operation across the auditorium’s varied program. Raju confirmed: “Staff can operate the system with confidence, while students benefit from clear, consistent audio whether they are attending a lecture, seminar, musical performance or cultural event.”
Sriram agreed: “The system sounds spectacular and delivers exactly what the university needs. It has become a reference point for other projects, which is a strong indication of how successful the design has been. Mahindra University had very clear objectives from the start, and that clarity helped us deliver a solution that continues to perform while leaving room for upgrades.”
The auditorium remains future-ready, with the audio system providing a strong foundation for planned enhancements such as a large video wall. The university is also considering further development, including building two additional smaller halls.
Raju said: “Based on the performance of the auditorium system, we would definitely consider Renkus-Heinz again for future AV rollouts at the university. The system has delivered the clarity, reliability and ease of use we needed, and it has given us confidence in the technology for other spaces across campus as it develops.”
For Mahindra University, the Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam Auditorium now delivers the flexibility required of a modern campus venue, combining clear speech reinforcement for daily teaching with the full-range performance needed for cultural and musical events. With reliable operation, discreet integration and consistent performance, the Renkus-Heinz C Series system has become a trusted foundation for future campus AV development.