KV2 Audio has helped complete the transformation of a former cinema into a striking new theatre in Slovakia.
At the foothills of the High Tatra Mountains, the city of Poprad is known for its centuries-old buildings and thermal springs. In a city with a rich cultural heritage, award-winning architectural studio Ateliér zerozero has taken a more modern approach to the renovation of the former Kino Maj cinema building in Vel’ká, one of Poprad’s oldest quarters.
Now Divadlo Poprad, this independent theatre has answered a long-standing local demand for a permanent theatre space in Poprad. Collaborating with writers, directors, set designers, and musicians from Slovakia and beyond, Divadlo Poprad has its own in-house acting ensemble with a year-round program of shows for families, adults, children, and schools. To complement the venue’s architectural transformation and diverse performance schedule, a KV2 Audio system was chosen to deliver the new theatre with sound.
When defining the audio requirements for Divadlo Poprad, the objectives were clear: exceptional speech intelligibility, accurate musical reproduction, and even coverage throughout the entire venue. The theatre comprises three performance areas, including the 164-seat Main Auditorium, the 76-capacity Studio, and an outdoor Summer Stage with 100-seat capacity.
Slovak distributor, Audio Production helped identify the most suitable solution for each performance space, resulting in a tailored system combining KV2’s EX, ESR, ESD, and VHD series to meet the varied acoustic and operational requirements of the theatre.
In the Main Auditorium, the primary system comprises two ESR215MkII three-way full-range loudspeakers positioned either side of the stage and powered by an ESR3000D amplifier. Four VHD4.18 subwoofer enclosures, driven by a VHD3200D amplifier, extend the system’s low-frequency performance by providing the power and impact required for musical performances and theatrical effects.
To complement the main system, three EX26 systems are positioned at the front of the stage, providing additional vocal reinforcement and focused coverage, particularly for concerts and larger productions. Two ultra-compact EX6 loudspeakers are used as near-field monitors in the control booth, allowing the technical team to accurately monitor the performance. Supporting the overall coverage, two ESD10 passive 2-way loudspeakers are used as side fills, powered by an ESP2000D amplifier to maintain consistency.
The Studio, used for club-style concerts and cultural events, features two EX12 active loudspeaker systems as the main left and right outputs, delivering balanced and accurate sound in a compact format. “An outdoor Summer Stage follows the same setup, with two EX12 loudspeakers and EX1.8 active subwoofers to add low-frequency impact for live music events,” adds Molcanov.
Shared across all stages are eight compact EX10 full-range loudspeaker systems, which provide a flexible solution that can be deployed as stage monitors, fills, or additional coverage as needed. Throughout the theatre, eight of KV2’s JK Series DI Boxes – four JK1s, two JK2s, and two JKAs – are used by the engineers to provide clean signal management with high headroom and low output impedance, helping maintain signal quality throughout the venue.