L-Acoustics’ L series work hand-in-hand with custom-engineered steel arms to enable deployment in challenging outdoor mountainous conditions at a historic open-air theatre.
Sat at a dramatic 454 metres high in Germany’s Harz mountains, the Harzer Bergtheatre open-air cultural venue faces extensive operational challenges due to the exposed mountaintop environment. As a venue that aims to attract high-calibre performers and expand summer programming, a cutting edge sound system was required to replace the venue’s aging rental systems.
The theatre’s unique location features steep audience seating, which demands pinpoint accurate coverage and strict regulations to safely remove the main sound system at night due to unpredictable mountain weather conditions.
Soundvision is used to model precisely how sound travels through the space, determining optimal placement for each component, especially the X12 delay and surround speakers which required even coverage from front row to the uppermost seats.
The final configuration features left and right hangs of one L2 over one L2D, with the L2D’s 60 degrees of vertical control and progressive horizontal coverage from 110 degrees to 140 degrees providing accurate coverage for the venue’s steep audience areas.
The main system is topped off by six ground-stacked KS28 subwoofers, with three installed per side. 14 X12 speakers are positioned strategically around the venue, with four each side and six at the back of the tiered seating area to provide complete coverage throughout the seating area.
The installation required a custom engineered steel arm construction designed for the venue, which allows the technical team to safely install and remove the main L2 arrays daily within a tight operational window. The L series arrays feature waterproof covering for protection during performances, with the rigging design enabling a quick turnaround during the busy summer season.
Photo credit: Carsten Kammer