America’s third-oldest college, Yale University is perhaps as noted for its Gothic-
flavoured architecture as for its history and academic achievements. So, when
updating the AV systems in several of Yale’s existing spaces, as well as one of its
newest ones, systems integrator North American Theatrix (NAT) turned to L-
Acoustics knowing that its products would deliver superior audio fidelity while
discreetly blending into each room’s decor.

“We’re a preferred vendor for Yale and have worked on their AV systems in the
past, so when they asked us to find the best sound solution we could for these
spaces, we naturally went with L-Acoustics,’ says Pat Nelson, Chief Operating
Officer of NAT, which is also an L-Acoustics Certified Provider for Install (CPi).

Using L-Acoustics’ Soundvision 3D real-time acoustical modelling software to
determine the optimal designs, stereo Kiva arrays and SB15m subs were specified
for the Orchestra Rehearsal Room in the School of Music’s newly opened Adams
Center, whose $57.1 million cost was largely borne by the school’s alumni, is a
stunning, three-story soundstage-like space, and will be the first home that the Yale
Philharmonia and Yale Symphony Orchestra have had on campus.

Kiva and SB15m also recently went into William L Harkness Hall’s Sudler Recital
Hall, which hosts classical and other types of musical performances as well as
speech reinforcement and video presentations as part of its mission as a
performance space and a classroom.

Sterling Law Building’s Room 127, which is Yale Law School’s largest classroom and
named for its address in New Haven, is classic Yale architecture built in 1931 and
follows the designs of English Inns of Court. For the range of lectures and other
teaching applications there, NAT once again turned to Kiva, plus some ultra-
compact 5XT coaxial systems.

Six 5XTs powered by an LA4X installed at Greenberg Conference Center Dining Hall
further underscore the benefits of L-Acoustics’ solutions. Each system that NAT
designed is powered and processed by a single amplified controller, not only
minimizing rack space requirements but also simplifying and speeding up
installation for a cost benefit to both the contractor and client.

Nelson additionally notes that the loudspeakers and amplifiers were a key
component of a larger AV integration project that also included QSC’s Q-Sys
networking system and Shure ULX-D microphones.

For more information on North American Theatrix, visit www.natheatrix.com. Yale University’s
home on the Web is found at www.yale.edu.

L-Acoustics systems recently installed at Yale University include:

• Orchestra Rehearsal Room: four Kiva line source array elements and two
SB15m subwoofers, configured in stereo, all powered by one LA4X amplified
controller

• Sudler Recital Hall: five Kiva, one SB15m and one LA4X

• Sterling Law Building Classroom 127: four Kiva, two 5XT and one LA4X

• Greenberg Conference Center Dining Hall: six 5XT and one LA4X