SLAGELSE, Denmark – Slagelse Musikhus, a historic powerhouse-turned-cultural hub in western Denmark, is one of the first venues in the world to install Meyer Sound’s new Ultra-X80 point source loudspeakers. Working in tandem with Meyer Sound’s 2100-LFC low-frequency control element, the new system brings enhanced clarity, headroom, and low-end extension to the venue’s main hall.
More details from Meyer Sound (www.meyersound.com):
The installation was overseen by Anders Jørgensen, project lead at Denmark-based AV integrator and consultant firm Stouenborg. The venue team first heard the system during an onsite product demo, where the ULTRA-X80 and 2100-LFC were showcased for staff and local engineers. That proved decisive in the selection process, says Jørgensen, who arranged the demo. “They’d been looking for the right replacement for years,” he says. “As soon as they heard the ULTRA‑X80 and 2100‑LFC, they knew it was the right tool for the job.”
The new Meyer Sound system replaces an aging point source solution and marks a major step forward in the venue’s ongoing modernization efforts. “Our old system was almost 25 years old, and we couldn’t get parts anymore,” says Søren Siig, technical lead and main systems engineer at Slagelse Musikhus. “Once we heard the ULTRA-X80 and 2100‑LFC demo, it was clear that this was the future.”
Slagelse Musikhus first opened in 1995 following an ambitious restoration of a 1909 power plant. Its music hall, with soaring ceilings, arched windows, and preserved industrial finishes, hosts a full calendar of concerts and cultural events. While the venue is municipally supported, it operates as an independent foundation—and regionally, competition for top-tier acts is robust.
“We needed a system that would put us on the map,” says Anette Borg, director of Slagelse Musikhus. “We’re a mid-size venue outside the capital, and we want to attract high-caliber artists who expect a world-class spec. This system makes that possible—and it makes our stage look better, too.”
The new system is centered around one ULTRA-X80 per side, supplemented by two 2100-LFC low-frequency control elements per side and three ULTRA-X40™ compact point source loudspeakers as front fills, plus two UPJ-1P™ balcony delays and two ULTRA-X20™ under-balcony delays, all managed via a Galileo® GALAXY Network Platform.
“With the ULTRA-X80 and a small underhang of ULTRA-X40s, we were able to clear the stage completely,” says Jørgensen. “The old system was eating up a meter and a half on each side. This one sounds bigger but takes up less space.”
The sonic benefits are immediate. “There’s just more of everything,” says Siig. “The mids are stronger, the dynamics are better, and the system is extremely transparent. You hear every detail. And with the 2100-LFCs, we now have a whole new sub octave we didn’t before—it’s a big deal.”
This deeper low-end reach makes it easier for the venue to accommodate contemporary genres, particularly hip-hop and electronic shows. “The way artists mix today is different than it was 20 years ago,” Siig explains. “They need more sub. With this system, we can deliver that without pushing the limits.”
To keep operations efficient and scalable, the system is fully integrated via Milan AVB networking and monitored using Meyer Sound’s Nebra™ software platform. “Before, we had no way to monitor anything in real time,” says Siig. “Now I can monitor the state of the system, including real time measurement of temperatures, voltages and limiting — so I can respond to the health of the system during a show instead of fixing things afterward.”
Despite its power, the system’s generous headroom ensures clarity at any volume. “We can play louder if we need to, but we don’t have to,” he explains. “The headroom makes it sound better, even at lower levels. There’s no strain.”
For Borg, the upgrade is as much about audience experience as it is about technical specs. “The system gives us a clean, honest sound,” she says. “You can play louder, but it doesn’t feel aggressive. There’s no harshness—just music.”
Artists and visiting engineers have taken notice. “The first night we used the new system, the band’s engineer was standing next to our engineer, smiling,” says Borg. “That told me everything.”
The strong partnership between the Slagelse team, Stouenborg, and Meyer Sound was key to the project’s success. “Everyone was extremely collaborative,” Borg adds. “They helped us get the best system for our space—and they made sure it was installed and tuned exactly right.”
As Slagelse Musikhus heads into a new programming season, the staff are optimistic that the sonic upgrade will help expand their audience and attract new talent. “We have a super beautiful venue, and now we have state-of-the-art equipment to match,” says Borg. “We’re ready to attract even more great artists.”
PHOTO CREDIT: Nalle Magnusson
