NEW LONDON, CT – The first person to deliver a speech using new EAW gear installed at the renovated 1,500-seat Leamy Hall auditorium at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy was none other than President Barack Obama. The commander-in-chief spoke to the 229 newly commissioned Coast Guard officers during the Academy's 2011 commencement ceremony.
Akustiks LLC, the acoustical consultant on the project, chose EAW's new QX Series speakers for the main L-C-R system. Two QX596 compact enclosures and two EAW SB250z subwoofers form the main center cluster of the system above the stage. One EAW KF394 three-way full-range speaker is mounted on both sides of the stage.
In addition, six EAW JFX88 compact full-range loudspeakers are built into the front edge of the stage and are used for front fills. Two EAW UX8800 digital signal processors with EAW focusing control the audio system, providing EQ, delays and other processing. Sound Stage Systems installed the system.
"They performed flawlessly, which is a very good thing when the person speaking happens to be the President of the United States," said Akustiks consultant Sam Brandt. The system's intelligibility and coverage, Brandt added, will be a boon to many guest lecturers who address the Corps of Cadets there during the school year.
Along with the new gear, Akustiks redesigned the concert shell and did acoustic-shaping of the venue's side walls. The EAW QX speakers also proved "the perfect fit" with the venue – and the need for minimal aesthetic impact on the venue's architectural design.
The auditorium, home to the 45-member Coast Guard Band, is also used for the annual cadet musical performed by cadets and Academy staff.
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