Powersoft Amplifiers

Linea Research DSP

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• The main loudspeaker location is immediately in front of the proscenium wall.  Any rear-radiating energy would reflect off the wall, interfering with speech intelligibility and clarity of music.
• The wide footprint of the audience area required a solution with precise pattern control to optimize coverage.
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Nick Moon from Tone Proper AV was chosen to create a high-fidelity sound system for church services and other performances in Grace Chapel’s new sanctuary. Moon installed five FL283T Line Array Modules on either side of the altar for the main coverage. Fulcrum Acoustic's patented Passive Cardioid Technology dramatically reduces the rear low frequency radiation from the FL283T which would otherwise reflect off the wall. “Most people don't realize how much low frequency energy radiates from the back of most line arrays; they aren’t as directional as many assume,” says Moon. “Fulcrum's Passive Cardioid mitigates that leakage without adding all this extra equipment."

"The FL283T presents such an effective use of resources. I love working with it," Moon continues. "You can deploy a lot of modules without needing too many amp channels. Plus, the vertical coverage from each unit is impressive on its own. We have five FL283Ts in each array but with other products we would need six or seven units to achieve a similar performance.”

The compact Sub218L subwoofers provide ample low frequency support for the system within the small envelope of the concrete cavities built into the altar. “Between the room treatment and the system design, this is one of the best sounding multi-purpose worship spaces out there,” says Moon.

Powersoft Ottocanali and Quattrocanali Amplifiers/DSP

• The church wanted a sound system capable of high output without sacrificing musicality, clarity, and speech intelligibility.

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Ford AV deployed ten Fulcrum Acoustic AH4 Higher-Output Coaxial Horns in a semi-circle above the altar for the main coverage. The AH4s were deployed in five groups of two vertically arrayed units. Each array consists of an AH443 over an AH463, with the AH443 providing long-throw coverage and the AH463 oriented downward to serve the lower-level seats. The broadband pattern control and extremely high output of Fulcrum’s AH4 delivered the power that First Baptist Church was seeking while maintaining fidelity and clarity.

“Fulcrum’s AH4 is perfect for the space," says system Designer Jim Tassey. “It ended up supplying more power than a line array with focused coverage and high fidelity. We knew First Baptist wanted to push the system and it needed to sound amazing under pressure without distortion and the AH4 pulled it off."

Ford AV installed Fulcrum’s US221 subwoofers in stacks of four on both sides of the center array in an active cardioid array. "I was really excited about the US221s for this project," says Tassey. "None of us had used 21-inch subwoofers before and the low frequency impact was impressive."

Nine AH96 High-Output Coaxial Horns were mounted at the ceiling midway between the altar and rear of the church as delay rings. CX826 Compact 8” Coaxial Loudspeakers were mounted under the balcony and on the altar for supplemental coverage and front fill respectively. "The sonic quality of the CX8 is incredible," says Tassey. "The wide dispersion for short throw coverage, the off-axis response, and the common voicing they have with the AH loudspeakers is very important, so it sounds the same everywhere no matter where you sit in the church. Another great feature is the mid-range coverage in the CX8. People too often forget how important mid-range coverage is for delays.”

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Symetrix DSP

Powersoft Amplifiers

Allen & Heath SQ-7 Mixing Console

• The church has a modern rock praise band that performs to the side of the stage directly underneath the main loudspeakers. This has the potential for feedback and low frequency buildup which can interfere with speech intelligibility and clarity of music.

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St. George’s new multi purpose room was fully acoustically treated with a combination of absorptive and diffusive surfaces to reduce instances of slap and flutter echoes. David Hosbach from DSH Audio Visions designed an audio system around Fulcrum’s FH1596 Full Range Coaxial Horns suspended from the ceiling in groups of three at the front and middle of the space.

The FH’s broadband pattern control focuses sound directly on the congregation and reduces sound spilling onto the band below. The high output of the FH series products maximizes gain before feedback and creates a versatile system that delivers high fidelity sound at St. George’s.

“The amount of directivity can mean the difference between success or failure of a sound system,” says Hosbach. “The horn loading in Fulcrum’s FHs gives control to below 500 Hz which is critically important. That translates to significantly better clarity for speech and definition for music.”

Two of Fulcrum’s Sub215 Dual 15” Direct-Radiating Subwoofers were suspended at the front of the space between the FHs to enhance the low-end foundation for music. “The FHs create a fantastic full range system on their own,” says Hosbach. “We added the Sub215s to extend the system response to well below 50 Hz to maximize flexibility.”

“We have heard nothing but wonderful comments on the sound,” says Parish Administrative Officer Laura Zabaski. “People are ecstatic with the final results.”

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We have heard nothing but wonderful comments on the sound. People are ecstatic with the final results.
Laura Zabaski, Parish Administrative Officer

Linea Research Amplifiers

Allen & Heath Avantis Mixer

• Multiple levels of seating and a large, open space require strict pattern control to concentrate sound on the congregation.
• The location and shallow depth of the altar requires broad band directional control to keep sound energy off the altar.

Terry Stewart from Simon Productions flew 16 FL283T Dual 8" Subcardioid Line Array Modules in two separate arrays of 8 on either side of the altar as the main loudspeakers. The FL283T provides the throw and tight vertical dispersion needed to distribute uniform coverage to the floor, stairway, and balcony seats without energizing the full vertical expanse of the space.

Fulcrum Acoustic's Passive Cardioid Technology controls the rear low frequency radiation in the FL283Ts thereby providing the broadband control needed for the project. Additionally FW15 Coaxial Cardioid Stage Monitors were selected for use on the altar. The Passive Cardioid feature allows the FW15s to provide precise control, resulting in better separation for different monitor mixes and better control of offaxis spill.

Stewart installed four of Fulcrum's US221-2 Dual 21" Direct Radiating Subwoofers directly into the front of the altar in their own insulated wall niches. Two of the US221-2s were coupled in the center of the room while the other two were deployed on either side.

The wide dispersion of the S Dual 8” Coaxial Loudspeakers allowed for three of them to provide front fill for congregants approaching the altar. This area is otherwise outside of the coverage of the main FL283T arrays. The coaxial drivers of the S loudspeakers provide stable, high fidelity imaging at close range which is ideal for their placement at the lip of the altar.

"We are absolutely thrilled with the sound of this Fulcrum system," says Pastor Kyle Flowers. "We had lots of guests from different churches that came to be with us for our first service and everyone was remarking on the clarity and high quality."

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We had lots of guests from different churches that came to be with us for our first service and everyone was remarking on the clarity and high quality.
- Pastor Kyle Flowers

Powersoft Amplifiers with Dante Network

QSC Core 110

• The sanctuary had a number of reflective surfaces which can lead to speech intelligibility issues.
• Smooth and even coverage is difficult to achieve in such a wide room.

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The team at DP Design installed an array of four DX1595s above the leading edge of the stage as the main loudspeakers for the installation. The broadband pattern control of the DX1595s provides direct sound to parishioners without splashing sound off of reflective surfaces. "I love the horsepower of the DXs," says Rhodes. "Between their pattern control and fidelity, they are my favorite loudspeakers from Fulcrum Acoustic."

Three low profile Sub218L subwoofers were able to fit under the existing stage, saving the need for costly modifications. The subwoofers were spread across the width of the stage. The combination of the DX1595s and Sub218Ls provide the output, fidelity and impact required for the contemporary worship style. The array of DX1595s provided the necessary coverage for the wide seating area.

Six of Fulcrum's RX599 5" Coaxial Loudspeakers were installed on the front lip of the stage for front fill. The broad 90 conical pattern of the RX599 is well-suited to near field applications. They provide the necessary output and coverage for the first few rows of seats. The high output delivered within such a compact enclosure at the lip of the stage kept the sight lines clear for parishioners while delivering high fidelity sound.

Four of Fulcrum Acoustic's CX1295 Compact Coaxial Loudspeakers were flown as a delay ring to cover that back portion of the sanctuary and provide precise control while avoiding reflections.

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I love the horsepower of the DXs. Between their pattern control and fidelity, they are my favorite loudspeakers from Fulcrum Acoustic.
- Terry Rhodes, System Designer

Linea Research Amplifiers

• The main cluster of loudspeakers that were originally mounted behind the stage led to unbalanced audio coverage for the congregation.
• The placement of additional front fill loudspeakers created overlapping audio coverage resulting in intelligibility issues.

"The stage at Kingdom Life Christian Church is carved into one of the longer walls and has a lower ceiling than the congregation," says Installer Kevin Maxwell. "The main cluster of loudspeakers used to be set up behind the stage and they were so low that we couldn't get sound to people in the back without blasting the front. The additional front fill loudspeakers only muddled the sound due to overlap.

"I was excited to use Fulcrum for this project," he continues. "I remember a demo a few years back where another loudspeaker company was showing how loud their speakers can get and it was just too aggressive. Then Fulcrum did their demo and pushed their loudspeakers to the same decibel level but this time it didn't hurt my ears at all. That's what initially piqued my interest in their products."

Kevin Maxwell deployed Fulcrum's CCX1295 Coaxial Cardioid Loudspeakers in three concentric rings with two fills in the back corners of the room on each side in order to provide full coverage within the wide room. "This project would not work with a single point source or it would be way too loud in order to reach listeners at the back of the room," says Maxwell.

The Passive Cardioid technology in the CCX helped reduce low frequency spill into delay rings closer to the stage, which interferes with intelligibility. "This is one of the first projects we did with that many CCXs," says Rich Frembes, the Product Developer at Fulcrum Acoustic. "Normally you have to roll off the low end to keep it from people in the front but it sounds less natural in the back. By using Passive Cardioid this was much easier to tune."

"I talk to Bishop Ramirez a lot," mentions a parishioner. "This new system is the first time he has sounded like we are talking face to face when he's speaking in the microphone. It's amazing!"

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This new system is the first time he has sounded like we are talking face to face when he's speaking in the microphone. It's amazing!
- Church Parishioner

Lab Gruppen C48-4 Amplifiers

Symmetrix Prism DSP

Allen Heath dLive Mixer

• The loudspeakers needed to provide sound for a 600 person congregation while fitting into a 3 foot vertical space to avoid blocking projection screens.

The new multi-purpose worship space was designed for a line array sound system. Yet when construction began, the amount of space for the loudspeakers was minimized due to the placement of the projection screens. Additionally, the beams in the ceiling prevented the loudspeakers from being hung outside of the screens without creating a wider splay in the audio. "These constraints required us to consider a different system configuration," says installer Dallas Anderson. "We entered the project into EASE and saw that the FH series from Fulcrum Acoustic would be the perfect choice."

Tricorne Audio deployed Fulcrum Acoustic's FH1566 Full-Range Coaxial Horn with the CS121 Subcardioid Subwoofers to match the output of the Line Array system initially planned for this job. Fulcrum's unique TQ Processing provides exceptional clarity and precise transient response, even at the high sound pressure levels necessary for a space as large as First Lutheran Church. The FH's compact trapezoidal shape allowed it to be mounted close to the ceiling with minimal visual obstruction while providing the necessary output and pattern control for the space. The light weight of the CS121 cabinet and variety of mounting points allowed the subwoofers to be mounted on their side and flown directly behind the FH1566 speakers to fill out the low end. "We had about three inches of extra space without blocking the screens," says Anderson. Fulcrum Acoustic provided a custom finish for the speakers to match the ceiling, aptly titled "Amazing Gray," so the loudspeakers could seamlessly blend into the space.

"I've used Fulcrum before but not these particular models," says Anderson. "Pattern control, gain before feedback, and sustain before output were on our minds when we added the cardioid subs and the system performed just as I expected. It sounded amazing."

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Pattern control, gain before feedback, and sustain before output were on our minds when we added the cardioid subs and the system performed just as I expected. It sounded amazing.
- Dallas Anderson, System Installer

Linea 44M Series Amplifiers/DSP

• The wide sanctuary presented a challenge in obtaining smooth, even coverage.
• The concave back wall focuses amplified sound onto the LED video wall onstage creating echoes and focusing at the pulpit position.
• The reflective parallel side walls and back corners of the sanctuary cause echoes throughout, leading to intelligibility issues for speech and clarity of amplified music.

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The precise coverage patterns provided by the FH1596 Full Range Coaxial Horn loudspeakers were an ideal choice for minimizing sound hitting the reflective and focusing surfaces. The extended low-frequency pattern control of the FH Series further helps achieve clarity, despite the various reflections. Additionally, the low frequency extension of the FH series speakers allows them to seamlessly integrate with the Sub218L subwoofers. The speaker system was installed in an LCR configuration to adequately cover the wide seating area and with enough output to easily accommodate modern rock worship music. Sub218L Direct-Radiating Subwoofers were installed in pockets beneath the stage, providing a more spectrally balanced single-source sound.

Darren Bowls chose Fulcrum's DX896 Dual Coaxial Loudspeakers as front fills to maintain the spectral balance and supplement coverage for the first few rows beneath and between the FH1596 mains. FW15 Coaxial Cardioid Stage Monitors, utilizing Fulcrum's Passive Cardioid Technology, were deployed for frontline musicians on stage to minimize low frequency leakage from spilling into the front rows.

"I first installed Fulcrum's FH loudspeakers at a high school gymnasium last year. Between the speakers and the acoustical treatments, that is one of the best listening environments we have created to date," says Bowls. "Knowing Oak Valley's sancutary was near the same size as the gym, I knew FH15s would be a perfect fit for that room. The speakers sound brilliant. The system as designed distributes sound exactly how and where we want it."

Zack Tuttle, the driving force behind Oak Valley Church's technology vision adds, “There is a unique smoothness and clarity that you get from Fulcrum speakers. It is such an enjoyable sound. Even when you push the system hard, you just get more of that same great sound.”

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The speakers sound brilliant. The system as designed distributes sound exactly how and where we want it.
- Darren Bowls, Designer

Ashly Perma 8250 combined DSP and Multi-Channel Amplifiers

Tannoy Ceiling Speakers

The sanctuary’s hard reflective surfaces and lack of acoustical treatment presented significant acoustical challenges. Its aesthetic challenges included parameters on loudspeaker placement to avoid detracting from the awe-inspiring architecture.

“Saint Pius Tenth is the first new church in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Rochester in 40 years, so I knew expectations were running high,” recounts Joe Barone. “While the original sanctuary had been acoustically dead, the new one’s highly reflective marble, drywall, glass, and wooden surfaces create a very live and reverberant worship space.”

“Loudspeaker selection, aiming and placement were critical,” explains Barone. “While many loudspeaker brands offer limited driver sizes and horn patterns, and leave it up to designers to fit them into their projects, Fulcrum’s broad range of coaxial loudspeaker systems all but ensures the right tool for any given project.”

“We flew left/right Fulcrum DX1577 dual 15-inch coaxial loudspeakers with 75° x 75° horns as mains,” relates Barone. “Four compact DX896 dual 8-inch coaxes with 90° x 60° horns serve as fills for the sanctuary’s side and mezzanine sections. Rounding out the system, a pair of compact Fulcrum FX896 8-inch, portable coaxial vocal monitors provide clarity and source separation for the church choir.”

“Church deacons and parishioners have been very positive about the new sound system,” enthuses Barone. “The discrete system provides an aural clarity and presence that makes the room breathe like a fine wine. An elderly gentleman who always sits in the back of the church told me he could now hear every single word of the service. I’m honored to have been chosen to be part of Saint Pius Tenth’s rebirth and I couldn’t have done it without Fulcrum’s coaxial loudspeakers and support.”

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An elderly gentleman who always sits in the back of the church told me he could now hear every single word of the service.
- Joe Barone

Symetrix Radius 12x8 EX Scalable DSP Unit

• The acoustics were ideal for organ and choir, but speech intelligibility was poor with its old, piecemeal sound system
• The space was large in terms of cubic volume and very live acoustically
• The speakers needed to cover the congregation without interfering with sightlines or distracting from the church’s beauty, and without acoustically overexciting the space

System integrator Intermedia Systems Group president Doug Klein recommended replacing the church’s outdated sound system with a unified, clean, clear-sounding, modern system that could handle everything, including delivering highly intelligible spoken word.

Klein’s solution relied on a Fulcrum Acoustic DX1295 loudspeaker for the main, a Fulcrum US212 subwoofer flown with the main above the altar area, and a delayed DX1295 set 40 feet back and centered to cover the balcony and rear seating area. DX 1295s feature dual 12 inch coaxial loudspeakers with a 90° x 45°dispersion pattern and operate between 49 Hz and 19 kHz. The US212 employs dual 12 inch direct radiating subwoofers that go down to 35 Hz. The DX1295s are biamped, creating a 3-way system with the US212. Finally, a pair of Fulcrum RX699s serve as sidefills for the transepts on either side of the altar, providing intelligibility to the side seating areas.

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Q-SYS DSP

Allen & Heath SQ-5 Digital Mixer

Consistent coverage and high fidelity were required from compact, full-range speakers with minimal visual impact on church architecture and iconography. Precise pattern control and extended low-frequency control were also essential to keep sound off hard, reverberant surfaces lacking acoustic treatment

“Previous Saint Sabina Church sound systems using line array and column speakers failed to provide clear, uniform coverage throughout the sanctuary,” explains ASC systems consultant Brent Handy. “Rather than using a long 55-foot throw to the back of the church, our approach was to get high-fidelity, point-source speakers as close to the congregation as possible to provide the same tone and sonic character to everyone.”

Handy based his design on Fulcrum Acoustic’s compact CX Series coaxial loudspeakers. To cover the center liturgical area, he deployed four downward-firing Fulcrum CX896 8-inch coaxial speakers with 90° x 60° dispersion along the side wooden trusses. Each CX8 is backed by a CCX1265 12-inch cardioid coaxial loudspeaker on the opposite side of the truss directed at the horseshoe-shaped seating area. Two standalone CCX1265s with 60° x 45° horns provide even coverage for seating closest to the church entrance.

“Fulcrum had just launched their cardioid CCX product family, applying their patented Passive Cardioid TechnologyTM to their best-selling line of compact coaxial installation loudspeakers,” states Handy. “The timing couldn’t have worked out better for us as this truss-speaker design approach demanded cardioid patterns to minimize low-frequency blowback and work within the architecture rather than fight against it.”

“When Father Jeff Stephan uttered his first hello with the new system, parishioners had never heard such volume and clarity in their church sound,” remarks Handy. “Church members love the musicality of the new Fulcrum system and as far as Father Jeff’s homilies, well, he had them at hello.”

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When Father Jeff Stephan uttered his first hello with the new system, parishioners had never heard such volume and clarity in their church sound
- Brent Handy, ASC Systems Consultant

Powersoft Quattrocanali Series Amplifiers

Precise pattern control was essential to keep sound energy off hard reflective surfaces. Compact loudspeakers with high output and exceptional clarity were also required to support a dynamic worship band, as well as intelligible spoken word.

“Trinity’s unconventional layout, exposed wooden roof, and glass and plaster surfaces make for a very acoustically live room,” explains Bruce Jensen. “Complicating matters, the stage takes up a third of the sanctuary’s floor space, and the angled walls behind it act as a parabolic reflector due to lack of proper acoustic treatment in the church.”

Jensen utilized the eight laminated wood beams branching out from the octagonal room’s 40-foot high apex as locating points for his sound system design. Three Fulcrum FH1596 full-range, high-sensitivity coaxial horns with 90° x 60° dispersion are rigged from beams in an expanded left/center/right mono cluster for optimal room coverage. A single downward-firing Fulcrum CX1295 12-inch coaxial speaker with a 90° x 45° horn is centered behind the cluster to serve as a choir monitor.

“Trinity’s worship band tends to play louder than one might expect from a traditional Baptist church, averaging between 96 and 100 dB,” says Jensen. “The FH15 horns and CX12 coax give us all the headroom we could possibly need for the full band and choir.”

“My history with David Gunness predates his co-founding Fulcrum Acoustic in 2008,” states Jensen. “His innovative use of DSP as an integral part of the design process has revolutionized our industry. When Fulcrum released the FH Series of coaxial horn systems as a DSP-aware update to the traditional horn-in-horn coaxial loudspeaker concept, I trusted they’d get it right. I specified FH horns for Trinity before even hearing them, and couldn’t be more pleased. The FH horns’ output and sonic character make them sound like studio monitors on steroids.”

“Trinity of Fairview Baptist Church loves the new system’s sound quality and uniform coverage,” concludes Jensen. “They’ve finally found the sound they’ve been waiting to hear for years.”

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Trinity of Fairview Baptist Church loves the new system’s sound quality and uniform coverage. They’ve finally found the sound they’ve been waiting to hear for years.
- Bruce Jensen, B&R Audio

Symetrix Prism 12x12 DSP

Powersoft and Lab.gruppen Power Amplifiers

The Sanctuary required a compact sound system with accurate tonal balance, high output and precise directivity.

Excel AV Group owner Kevin Crow and engineer Brian Olson worked closely with Fulcrum Acoustic Application Assistance Service’s Rich Frembes to match a sound system to the church’s needs. “Some of the best musicians in the twin cities have played in The Sanctuary’s gospel band and we needed a slamming system that could keep up with them,” explains Crow. “The system is based on left/right flown Fulcrum AH96 full-range coaxial horns with the output to support a band that runs loud and the 90° x 60° pattern control to work with room acoustics. Two Fulcrum US221-4 dual 21-inch subwoofers are installed above the center stage lip for LF extension along with a CX1295 12-inch coax for down fill. A Fulcrum CX1226 with 120° x 60° dispersion is installed in the church lobby to match the house system when the lobby doors are open.”

“What really strikes me about this system is that the midrange is so present and in your face and the roll-off near the stage is incredibly smooth,” enthuses Crow. “Unlike many loudspeaker companies who focus primarily on large stadium and touring venues, Fulcrum really understands the audio needs of smaller rooms. Over the years I’ve heard every rig you can imagine and this is definitely the best sounding system we’ve ever installed. The church has been singing its praises.”

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Fulcrum really understands the audio needs of smaller rooms. Over the years I’ve heard every rig you can imagine and this is definitely the best sounding system we’ve ever installed. The church has been singing its praises.
- Kevin Crow, Excel AV Group

Q-SYS Core 110f DSP Platform

QSC 4.3 and 4.5 Power Amplifiers

Midas M32 Digital Mixing Console

• Rear low frequency cancellation was needed to keep sound energy off the stage and back wall
• The new sound system needed to be easy to operate, and provide even coverage and high fidelity for music reproduction and voice intelligibility

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Two Fulcrum Acoustic CS121 21 inch Cardioid Subwoofers flown behind a CX1595 15 inch Coaxial Loudspeaker flanked by left/right CX1565 15 inch Coaxial Loudspeakers at New Life Church in Prince Frederick, Maryland.

“As shallow trussing didn’t leave room for under-stage subwoofers, we knew they’d have to be flown to get the coverage we needed,” recounts AVE design engineer Max Clixby. “Space was also a challenge overhead with only 12 feet of stage depth to install mains, subs, a laser projector and screen. We needed a cardioid pattern to keep sound energy off the stage, back wall and video gear, but lacked the space and budget for an active cardioid array.”

Painted into an acoustical corner, Clixby saw Fulcrum Acoustic Cardioid Subwoofers with Passive Cardioid Technology™ as the only solution capable of creating a cardioid effect in half the footprint of an active cardioid array. Clixby’s design includes two Fulcrum CS121 21 inch subcardioid subwoofers flown behind compact 15-inch CX Series coaxial loudspeakers; a CX1595 (90° x 45°) on center flanked by left/right CX1565s (60° x 45°). “We’ve been very intentional about reducing sound on stage and focusing on how our contemporary services sound to our congregation,” explains New Life Church special projects coordinator Ronny Settle.

“We’ve gone to ‘silent stages’ using in-ear monitors where everything you hear comes out of the house speakers. It’s amazing how Fulcrum’s Cardioid Subwoofers provide incredible bass while keeping sound energy off the stage where it would interfere with live mics. We are blown away by Fulcrum’s quality of sound. New Life Calvert has set a new sound standard for all our church campuses.

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We are blown away by Fulcrum’s quality of sound. New Life Calvert has set a new sound standard for all our church campuses.
- Ronny Settle, New Life Church Special Projects Coordinator

Dante-enabled Yamaha QL5 Console and Stagebox

BSS DSP

Music reproduction, voice intelligibility and high SPLs were crucial for the church's orchestra and choir, as well as for concerts the church hosts.

To cover the front rows of the church, three Fulcrum AH65 loudspeakers were flown above the proscenium. The AH65 is a bi-amplified, 2-way, high-sensitivity, arrayable coaxial horn system that provides precise pattern control to below 400 Hz, low frequency extension to below 80 Hz and exceptionally high output with modest amplifier power. Even at high SPLs, the AH65s can deliver the clarity and consistent voicing the church required.

To fill the rear of the auditorium, delayed Fulcrum CS1595 15-inch coaxial loudspeakers were mounted along the sides. The 2-way CX1595 uses a 3-inch coaxial titaniumdiaphragm compression driver and a 15-inch woofer with a single neodymium magnet. CX Series loudspeakers provide the output capability and pattern control of normal, premium 2-way systems in significantly more compact enclosures suitable for many applications. Their vertically trapezoidal shape and compact size allows for mounting very close to ceilings or under balconies, making them ideal for the church’s sidefills.

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• The Church’s extensive stained glass and hard surfaces create a reverberant chamber
• The sound system needed to be visually unobtrusive so as not to detract from the sanctuary’s remarkable architecture
• The system needed to provide improved intelligibility and output

Designer and system integrator Ford Audio-Video Systems selected Fulcrum Acoustic’s AH Series horn-loaded loudspeaker systems. “The previous point source speakers were medium-long throw systems, but lacked the tight pattern control the space required, particularly in the mid- and low-mid frequency range,” says Ford’s Shawn Slocum. “The AH65’s 60 x 45 degree pattern covers the seating area but ends just inside the angular side walls, limiting reflections and improving intelligibility.” The existing pew back system adds coverage for the far outside seats, and a pair of Fulcrum Acoustic US212 subwoofers are installed in the front organ towers, adding low frequency reinforcement that the sanctuary had never previously enjoyed.

“The new system delivers a marked improvement in both intelligibility and frequency response for parishioners seated in both the main floor and balcony areas,” Slocum reports, adding that the next phase of the project will include several Fulcrum DX896 loudspeakers to provide greater forward imaging for the front third of the main floor. “The new system has already made a dramatic difference, and will be even better when the front fills are installed next year.”

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The new system delivers a marked improvement in both intelligibility and frequency response for parishioners seated in both the main floor and balcony areas.
- Shawn Slocum, Ford Audio-Video Systems

Powersoft K20 2-Channel Power Amps

(2) Symetrix DSP Units

Yamaha CK5 Digital Mixer

As an Assembly of God church with contemporary services featuring a seven- to nine-piece praise band, Highpointe required a very powerful and precise system that could focus sound on the seating areas to maximize clarity.

To build the sound system with the requisite high SPLs and precise directional control, the Enginuity team chose three custom-built Fulcrum LCR clusters, each with three powered DX1565AC dual 15-inch cabinets with 60° x 45° dispersion – an unusual configuration. DX Series 3-way loudspeakers provide superior output and pattern control in an enclosure size that would typically house a conventional 2-way system. Each of the nine cabinets is driven by two 1,500-watt modules for a total of 3,000 watts per channel.

Four powered FA28ac dual 8-inch coaxial loudspeakers were deployed as front fills, and four dual 15-inch TS215 direct-radiating subwoofers were tied into the center cluster. For sub-lows, four TS221 dual 21 inch direct-radiating subwoofers were ground stacked on the left and right of the stage. The end result of this massive and challenging force majeure-caused AVL overhaul is that Fulcrum loudspeaker’s signature clarity and well behaved directionality have Highpointe Church sounding brighter and better than ever.

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BSS London Processor

QSC CX Series 4-Channel Power Amplifier

Allen & Heath Qu-32 Digital Mixer

The worship center’s low ceiling required loudspeakers small enough to avoid sightlineinterference, yet powerful enough to deliver high-fidelity music and intelligible spokenword uniformly to inspire the congregation.

Harvest A/V Solutions’ Jason Holmes based the system design on left/right clusters of Fulcrum GX1295 12-inch and CX896 8-inch coaxial mains above the stage lip. “The GX1295 top cabinets handle the long throw to the back of the sanctuary and the CX896s provide fill for near field and center aisle coverage while keeping sound energy off the stage,” explains Holmes. “I chose Fulcrum GX and CX boxes for their even coverage, extreme clarity and transparency.”

“Fulcrum’s coaxial technology and design packs a lot of sound into compact and lightweight cabinets. The super small clusters not only sound great but look right for the low-ceiling room,” states Holmes. “Onstage, Fulcrum US212 Dual 12 inch direct-radiating subwoofers provide plenty of low end support. Fulcrum also provided processor settings that made for easy setup and tuning, as well as a system that sounded terrific right out of the box.”

“The old sound system was hindering our ability to minister, and making it difficult to preach from the floor which helps me connect with the congregation,” explains Pastor Torrey House. “Beyond solving our immediate sound quality and coverage challenges, the new system has the capacity to meet the needs of our planned expansion to double the sanctuary’s size.”

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Beyond solving our immediate sound quality and coverage challenges, the new system has the capacity to meet the needs of our planned expansion to double the sanctuary’s size.
- Torrey, Pastor

Lab.gruppen Power Amplifiers

Symetrix DSP

Electro-Voice EVU Speakers (front fill and surrounds)

• The rectangular room’s concrete walls and metal-skinned roof presented significant acoustical challenges
• The new system needed to provide even coverage and high fidelity for both music reproduction and voice intelligibility

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In scoping and designing the sound system for the worship center renovation, John Crawford focused on directivity and fidelity. Fulcrum CX Series 2-way loudspeakers with powerful single-neodymium-magnet coaxial transducers serve as mains – with left and right CX1595s (90° x 45°), and a CX1526 (120° x 60°) and CX896 (90° x 60°) on center.

“To provide low frequency support while directing energy off the stage, we flew a pair of Fulcrum US221-2 dual 21 inch subwoofers in an active cardioid array above the proscenium. The sub array is an excellent match for the coverage and output level of the mains,” explains Crawford. “We also redesigned the side walls with angles to eliminate parallel reflections, and we installed acoustic paneling to the rear and to select areas of the side walls. This let us create a balance between life in the room for acoustic sources and the sound quality of the speaker system.”

“Our old downward-firing, ceiling-mounted speaker cluster would blast the center of the room while leaving quiet corners to which some of our older members gravitated,” recalls Christ’s Church Worship Minister Jordan Clark. “Now, sound levels are consistent throughout the room with no hot spots to avoid. We are extremely happy with our new sound system and have heard nothing but positive feedback from our congregation on its benefit to our services.”

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We are extremely happy with our new sound system and have heard nothing but positive feedback from our congregation on its benefit to our services.
- Jordan, Worship Minister

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“My background stems from decades of high-end studio production, recording and mixing,” explains BESA’s founder/acoustician/system designer Darren Bowls. “I have a pretty good idea of what music should sound like at this point, no matter the size or deficiencies of the room, and we always leverage the most sophisticated technologies to achieve that sound.”

“This church sanctuary was acoustically designed in the early 1970s for choir, piano and organ,” Bowls continues. “It’s full of odd reflective angles, has a high peaked ceiling, and a 100-foot length from stage to balcony back wall. Acoustically the room is the same today as it was when it was built.”

Two Fulcrum AH65 full-range coaxial horns with 60°x45° dispersion are rigged as left/right mains above the stage with four DX896 dual 8-inch coaxial loudspeakers deployed as front fills along the stage lip to draw the listeners attention down to the stage. Three floor-stacked Fulcrum Sub218L dual 18-inch subwoofers are centered between stage stairs. The system is powered by Linea Research DSP amplifiers programmed with Fulcrum’s TQTM filters for impact and precise signal response.

“The technology inherent in Fulcrum Acoustic loudspeakers and processing allowed the directional pattern control and throw necessary to lay the sound in the listener’s lap despite the room deficiencies,” states Bowls.

“There is something uniquely special about the midrange and detail of Fulcrum loudspeakers,” notes Bowls. “The combination of clarity and warmth is extremely musical and very rare.”

“BESA has always focused on how a room makes a person feel while listening to music,” states Bowls. “If done correctly, the immediacy of the music and spoken word will engage the listener from any point in the room. We achieved that here.”

“Calvary Chapel Tustin’s new sound system is a tenfold improvement over the original,” concludes Bowls. “It will continue to inspire its congregation for many years to come.”

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Calvary Chapel Tustin’s new sound system is a tenfold improvement over the original. It will continue to inspire its congregation for many years to come.
- Darren, Acoustician/System Designer

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Yamaha M7CL-48 Digital Mixer

• Rear low frequency cancellation was essential to keep sound energy off the reverberant architecture and the stage where it would interfere with microphones
• Even coverage and high fidelity were required from a visually unobtrusive system that wouldn’t detract from the sanctuary’s architecture

“As we couldn’t install loudspeakers below the proscenium arch, and lacked the space and budget for an active cardioid array, Fulcrum’s passive cardioid loudspeakers were the perfect choice,” explains GLS Principal Greg Hockman. “We flew a five-speaker array of Fulcrum FL283 Dual 8 inch Subcardioid Line Array Modules paired with a single CS121 21 inch Subcardioid Subwoofer six feet from the ceiling and just below the arch. The fullrange FL283 modules deliver amazing sound quality and intelligibility for music and spoken word, while the CS121 provides low-end extension and the directional control needed to keep sound from radiating off the proscenium and onto the stage.”

Church sound director Bruce Ornee, a retired aerospace engineer, worked closely with GLS and Apex throughout the project. “Our original sound system had two big horns and two subwoofers chained to the ceiling and housed in a large rectangular box above the pulpit that was a real eye sore,” recalls Ornee. “A major requirement for the new system was that it not detract from the sanctuary’s aesthetics. Fulcrum’s compact, custom-painted cabinets seamlessly blend into the sanctuary, and the sound is unbelievable. Our pastor, chancel choir and praise band have never sounded so good.”

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Fulcrum’s compact, custom-painted cabinets seamlessly blend into the sanctuary, and the sound is unbelievable. Our pastor, chancel choir and praise band have never sounded so good.
- Bruce, Sound Director

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Allen & Heath Digital Mixer

• The historic church’s highly reflective hard surfaces and “shoebox” footprint presented considerable acoustical challenges
• High-fidelity music reproduction and voice intelligibility were essential to support CBG’s contemporary worship services which incorporate awe-inspiring production to deliver their message

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“We reviewed five acoustical models using various loudspeaker line arrays before ShowPro suggested we look at Fulcrum,” recalls CBG production director Andrew Sheffler. “Not only was Fulcrum’s point source solution for the church 100 percent better than anything we’d seen, it came in at half the cost.”

Fulcrum DX1595 dual 15-inch coaxial loudspeakers are deployed as left/right mains with two DX896 8-inch speakers as outfills. Left/right CX1295 12-inch coaxial speakers serve as balcony mains with four CX896 8-inch coaxials installed under the balcony for additional coverage. Rounding out the system, four CS121 21-inch subcardioid subwoofers adjacent to stage access stairs deliver low frequency support.

“Low frequency blowback from the subs rattling the hollow wooden stage was an initial concern,” explains Sheffler. “I couldn’t believe my ears when SPL dropped 20 dB at the top of the stage stairs. Fulcrum’s Passive Cardioid TechnologyTM was a real lifesaver.”

“Loud doesn’t always equal good energy, and quiet just doesn’t carry for our worship style. I am amazed at the loudspeakers’ ability to create clear, crisp energy throughout the room without changing timbre at higher volume. We are extremely happy with the PA and I’ve recommended Fulcrum to others,” Sheffler enthuses. “This system has made me a Fulcrum Acoustic believer.”

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I am amazed at the loudspeakers’ ability to create clear, crisp energy throughout the room without changing timbre at higher volume. We are extremely happy with the PA and I’ve recommended Fulcrum to others