Emmaus Church installs new sound system to support music

Emmaus Church in Redlands, California recently upgraded its sound system to support the musical elements of its contemporary services. One of the church’s congregants, Michael Betancourt, is also the general manager of AV design and integration company, Props AV, based in nearby Beaumont. When contracted to design and install the new sound system at Emmaus Church, Props AV put together a solution comprising DAS Audio Artec 320 line arrays with Artec 322S subwoofers and Artec 306 passive point source enclosures.

‘For this audio system upgrade, we elected to fly a centre mono cluster of six Artec 320 loudspeakers over the altar/stage area,’ Betancourt explained. ‘These enclosures are supported by three Artec 322S subwoofers flown directly behind the Artec 320s with the middle sub being in a cardioid position to reduce the low-end sound pressure at the altar. Additionally, the sanctuary has a wing area off to the left as you face the stage. To ensure coverage here, we placed two Artec 306 loudspeakers. For amplification, we used a single DAS DX-80i four-channel power amp to drive the centre cluster and the subwoofers. We also used a DAS IA-402 stereo power amp to drive the two Artec 306 loudspeakers.’

Betancourt and his team chose the DAS Artec speakers for a number of reasons. ‘First and foremost was the Artec Series’ excellent sound quality for both music reproduction and speech intelligibility,’ he said. ‘Second, the dispersion characteristics of these loudspeakers made for a nice directional sound – eliminating the need for any sound treatments to reduce echo. Furthermore, the compact size of the enclosures made for a very clean installation that doesn’t distract, while flying the subs kept the alter area clean of any obstruction or from overpowering the first few rows with low end.’ All of the loudspeakers have been painted white to blend in with the sanctuary’s aesthetics.

‘I can say with confidence the new sound system has helped us become more effective in our mission,’ commented the church’s lead pastor, Forrest Short. ‘It delivers a clarity and focus to our worship gatherings in a way that has been broadly experienced by our congregation. I am happy to say it has met and exceeded my hopes.’