Spurred by growing student populations and a general shift toward high-tech
teaching support systems, Becker High School in Becker, Minnesota and United
South Central K-12 in Wells, Minnesota undertook new construction projects that
were only recently completed. Becker added a swimming pool and a 900-seat
auditorium, and USC erected a whole new school that includes a 600-seat
auditorium, a primary gymnasium, an auxiliary gymnasium, and a commons area.
David Peterson of Peterson AV designed the sound systems for both projects, and
VSI, a Mankato-based integration firm, performed the installation. VSI specified
Ashly Audio amplifiers for both projects, citing their uniquely high performance-to-
price ratio.

“The original specification for both projects was for a much pricier brand of
amplifier,’ explained Tim Suedbeck, design engineer with VSI. “We’ve worked with
Ashly many times in the past, and have always been impressed by their build and
sound quality. They go in reliably and then just work. Thus, we knew that a shift to
Ashly would maintain the intended performance level. When you couple Ashly’s
quality with its competitive price point, it’s a no-brainer.’

Becker’s new auditorium includes a host of wired and wireless microphones and
playback devices that feed a new Allen & Heath mixer – everything they need to put
on dramatic and musical performances, as well as presentations. A Symetrix Radius
DSP handles the processing, and Fulcrum AH96 loudspeakers and Sub218
subwoofers deliver stereo output. Altogether, two Ashly nX 1.54 four-channel
programmable output 1500W amplifiers, two Ashly ne4250 four-channel 250W
network amplifiers, and one Ashly ne8250 eight-channel 250W network amplifier
provide clean, reliable power for the new system.

At USC, the auditorium has an independent system, whereas the two gyms and the
commons area are tied together. The equipment complement in the auditorium is
similar to Becker’s, only a bit smaller (it omits the Ashly ne8250 because the
loudspeaker system has fewer components). The primary gym/auxiliary
gym/common area system uses one Ashly nX 1.54 four-channel programmable
output amplifier and two Ashly ne8250 eight-channel network amplifiers to power
primarily Fulcrum CX1295 loudspeakers.

“Each of the Ashly amplifiers came out of the box working, and all of them went in
without a hiccup,’ said Suedbeck. “They’ve been happily using the systems for the
duration of the fall semester, and everything continues to work flawlessly.’