Located
in the centre of Hamburg, Planten un Blomen is the city’s beautiful 45
hectare park, renowned for its lake with summer fountains. Each evening
the fountains are illuminated in changing colors and perform a
choreographed display set to music in a spectacular Wasserlichtkonzerte
(water light concert).
With the sound system for their famous attraction seriously showing
its age, the city authorities wanted a state-of-the-art system, with
high quality audio reproduction in keeping with the status of the
attraction. Rüdiger Peter of Ingenieurbüro Peter GmbH was awarded the
contract for the implementation of a new system and Mediasystem GmbH was
commissioned to handle the installation.
The challenge in designing the new sound system was that the
loudspeakers are mounted in the lake, so they have to withstand wind,
water, and all year round Hamburg weather.
Additionally, being accessible in a public park the system had to be
protected from vandalism and theft. Community W SERIES loudspeakers
were chosen for their audio quality combined with robust construction
and class-leading, all-weather capability.
Five sets of W SERIES W2-228 loudspeakers with W2-112 subwoofers are
positioned just above the surface of the water on frames mounted on the
lake bed. A further ring of W2-218 loudspeakers are mounted in the park
on a delay line, ensuring even coverage for all spectators.
The Community loudspeakers are driven by a Biamp Audia FUSION with
AM-600 modules, with all Community and Biamp products supplied and
supported by prodyTel Distribution GmbH, the distributor for both
brands. The system is controlled from a Crestron touch panel,
programmed by Mediasystem to be clear and self-explanatory so that it
can be used by non-technical staff. The system is backed up with
automated and manual safety systems against theft. In addition, the
Crestron controller notes any system defect with a message on the touch
panel and notifies engineers by email.
“We are pleased to have equipped Planten un Blomen with such a high
quality, reliable, sound system that provides visitors with a
first-class audio experience,” said Finn Melf Pergande, Manager of
Mediasystem. “The Community loudspeakers are perfectly suited for
operation in Hamburg’s most extreme weather and the system is also well
protected from theft or damage by the latest technology."