Pulz Custom Designs 5.1 Audio System Covering 10,000 Sq Ft Area
Adiyogi Audio-Visual Presentation Need for All Weather Outdoor Modular Audio System
Pulz 5.1 all Weather Outdoor Modular Audio System
The Isha Yoga Centre, Coimbatore has been attracting spiritual seekers and devotees in large numbers. The Dhyanalinga temple, a powerful consecrated space is now recognized as one of the most powerful places for meditation. Adiyogi statue, a 112 feet tall bust, the largest face on earth is the latest addition to the sprawling Isha complex of 150 acres in the foothills of Velliangiri, an extension of the Western Ghats. The large open venue facing the Adiyogi statue is where Mahashivratri is celebrated, attracting lakhs of devotees.
Sadhguru wanted to tell the story of Adiyogi by using the latest technology in audio-visual presentation. 3D mapping was the preferred format for visuals, to be complimented with a high impact audio system. This was no standard project. If projection on a black surface was not challenging enough, the need for a high impact all weather outdoor audio system yet compact enough to move around was equally demanding. Extensive discussions followed and it was decided to be a 5.1 system with an extended low frequency response and mid and high frequency section with a well-defined propagation pattern covering the Mandapam area of about 10,000 square feet.
Pulz accepted the challenge and decided to custom design a system as no existing product could meet these demanding specifications. Starting with the LF section a dual interactive vented chamber enclosure was designed with the help of advanced software using finite element analysis. The system was built with a careful selection of material and powered with two new generation 18” drivers of 1,000 Watts each and long excursion capability. For directivity control, the LF section was configured to be cardioid. A total number of nine Pulz SIC 218 subwoofers were deployed in three groups. They were powered with 25,000 Watts of continuous power amplifiers with sophisticated digital signal processing for directivity control and impact.
Pulz SIC 218 sub-woofer, powered with continuos amplification of 25,000 watts
For perfect timber matching and image formation, the Left, Centre, Right (LCR) and the surround channel speakers were decided to be identical. The challenge was to create a system compact and moveable yet capable of very high Sound Pressure Level (SPL), well defined directivity and extremely low distortion. The venue demanded 85dBc SPL reference at 118’ with 20dB headroom in open air. After several engineering hours and considerations specific to the venue a 3-way active system was configured with 4” X 12” (1,000 Watts) each neodymium LF section making a semi line source. The mid-high section consists of a horn loaded MTM configuration with two high SPL compression mid-range section and a concentrically placed HF compression unit. The mid-high section is capable of going below 500Hz. Hence, the entire system performs stunningly well with minimum vertical lobing and a wide horizontal coverage without any frequency aberrations. To ensure headroom, 20,000 Watts of continuous power with sophisticated digital signal processing was a must.
The result was striking realistic sound to compliment the full impact of the 3D projection befitting the narrative and Sadhguru’s vocal compliments.