A SOUND LESSON FROM BOSE

BOSE sound systems have been delivering superb sound in schools, colleges and universities for years, and many rely on the BOSE badge as a visual reminder of their commitment to quality sound and atmosphere.

Whether the need is for discreet background music, full-on sound, or a good PA system, there is a BOSE sound system that will fit the bill. Large areas benefit from loudspeakers such as the Panaray LT (long throw), or Panaray 502, combined with a patented Acoustimass bass enclosure for a full, rich sound. For smaller rooms there is a choice of BOSE Business Music Systems. These range from a complete system, such as the FreeSpace 3 or FreeSpace 6 which include an amplifier and four surface or flush mounted ceiling speakers, to the Model 302SE wide dispersion speaker which can be used indoors or out to reproduce sound over a wide listening area. Whatever the size of installation, all BOSE sound systems meet the three main parameters for quality sound - naturalness, clarity and a deep, rich bass. All are the result of extensive research, innovative technology and rigorous testing.

One school that is already benefiting from a BOSE sound system is the American School in Thorpe, which has installed a series of BOSE 32SE loudspeakers to assist in creating a welcoming ambience in the school's dining area, and to support the public address system. The buzz of activity in the canteen means that the sound system has to be heard above the cacophony of plates, cutlery and loud conversation that greets visitors to the dining room. The system is usually used for background music, but on occasions must deliver important messages to the students. It can also be used as a public address system when evening and weekend functions are held in the room.

The Hall at King's College, Cambridge is the venue for some of the university's most prestigious functions, but with a very high vaulted wooden ceiling, wood panelled walls and a stone floor, sound can echo around the massive space and become unintelligible if not properly directed.

A hall of such magnificence clearly required a sound system that carried the hallmark of quality, both in terms of sound and visual aesthetics, and the BOSE team came up with a solution that would deliver quality sound from a system that was visually discreet.

The client was able to test the acoustics of the system, after BOSE sound engineers created an acoustic model of The Hall using the BOSE Modeler system, to ensure that the design minimised unwanted echoes, excessive reverberation, and acoustic hot and cold spots. The system was also initially tested on site using the BOSE Auditioner system, a sophisticated total sound simulation software package that allows the designer to create a three dimensional computer model of the venue and then produce an exact virtual representation of how the system will sound.

Finally came the real test, when the proposed units were temporarily installed in The Hall and demonstrated live to an audience during a large dinner engagement.

For the first time in years, every member of the audience was able to hear the speeches clearly. Echoes had been eliminated, reverberations had been kept to a minimum, and the acoustic problems of The Hall were finally solved. In addition, once some cleverly designed hardwood shrouds had been constructed to shield the loudspeakers from view, there were no problems from the aesthetic point of view, and the adornment committee gave their approval to the BOSE system.


Contact for further information:

BOSE Professional Systems Division Email: uk_pro@bose.com  Tel: 0870 741 4500

www.bose.co.uk