The Grey Eagle Event Centre, part of the Tsuut’ina Nation’s Grey Eagle Resort & Casino complex and one of Calgary’s largest concert event venues with a capacity of almost 3,000, was recently outfitted with a new sound reinforcement system headed by L-Acoustics K2 arrays in a design and installation by FM Systems.
“Our previous sound system was starting to show its age, giving us technical issues and reliability concerns, so we knew it was time for an upgrade,” says Grey Eagle Event Centre director of entertainment Sheldon Lachambre. “FM Systems have supported Grey Eagle in the past with various production services, so we were fortunate to have their assistance again on this project to help us define the right system, and L-Acoustics was clearly that choice.”
Installed and tuned over six days, the centre’s new loudspeaker setup incorporates six K2 enclosures flown over three Kara downs per side, with far left and right outfills each comprised of seven K3i. Four K1-SB subwoofers are hung behind each main array, and three A10i are flown as a centerfill array. Six ground-based KS28 subs are divided three per side while eight A10s spread out across the stage serve as lipfills. Onstage, 14 X12 coaxial wedges and four SB18 subs are on hand for monitoring use, as are two A15 flown per side as stereo sidefills. Seventeen LA12X and six LA4X amplified controllers drive the loudspeakers and are fed via Milan AVB, with AES backup, from a P1 processor, which also allows the system to integrate with the resort’s extensive, existing AV network.
“This L-Acoustics design was ideal for the Event Centre for two big reasons,” says FM Systems Calgary general manager Cody Volk. “First, it’s the brand that top A-class artists and their engineers prefer; the most requested PA system on riders from acts coming through the Event Centre has been L-Acoustics. And second, its performance is unparalleled. The venue hosts acts from a wide range of genres — including rock, metal, and hip-hop, which all require a high level of output — and the K2/K3i design delivers incredible fidelity and punch.”
“With the previous system, the listening experience within the main/front 90 degrees of the audience was vastly different from the left and right 90-degree sides,” adds FM Systems president and CEO Marlin Jones. “With the L-Acoustics system now in place, no matter where you are in the room, the experience is the same across the entire frequency spectrum. The low end is very even, and the mid-high coverage is smooth and pristine from the stage to the top of the raised seating area. Many people who were familiar with the room’s previous system versus this one have mentioned a noticeable improvement in clarity, impact, and coverage — the experience there is simply much more enjoyable. We are always impressed by the performance of L-Acoustics products, and this installation is no exception. It has exceeded expectations for all parties involved.”
