JBL Professional Loudspeakers Power Beijing Olympics Fencing Hall, Soon To Be The National Convention Center

Demonstrating the wide variety and interoperability of JBL loudspeakers in one of the world’s largest showcases, the Fencing Hall at the National Convention Center in Beijing recently hosted the fencing and modern pentathlon events at the 2008 Summer Olympic Games. This brand new space, located on the Olympic Green, was built specifically for the Olympics.

The Fencing Hall features 14 fencing strips, a warm-up room, stands for thousands of fans, a television broadcasting room, and lounge and shower facilities. With the conclusion of the games, the hall will now be converted to a convention hall. There are also numerous features aimed at lowering the environmental impact of the hall including an increase in energy savings and water conservation.

The audio system is nothing less than the state of the art, and truly showcases the breadth JBL’s lineup of world-class, industry-leading loudspeakers. The main PA system features six VERTEC® line arrays, each containing six VT4888DP midsize powered line array elements and two VT4882DP powered arrayable subwoofers. The system also includes 400 Control24CT and 300 Control26CT ceiling speakers, along with 130 Control 300 series large-format ceiling speakers. Further bolstering the system are 92 SRX712M stage monitors, 10 VRX915M stage monitors, along with 20 EON15P portable loudspeakers. Additionally, the system includes eight AM4215/64, eight AM4215/95, eight AM6215/64 and four AM6315/64 loudspeakers. Not to be overlooked are eight PD5322/64, two PD5212/64 and three PD5322/43 loudspeakers. The entire audio system will remain intact during the conversion of the hall, although the system can be reconfigured to suit different events.

Beyond the massive JBL system, the Fencing Hall is also a showcase for numerous Harman brands, includes a total of 253 Crown CTs amplifiers, two Soundcraft Vi4 consoles, and BSS Soundweb London BLU-80 processors, part of the HiQnet™-enabled London Architect™ system design and control protocol. Hong Kong-based Advanced Communications Equipment (ACE) installed the system.

JBL is a unit of Harman International Industries, Incorporated (www.harman.com).
Harman International designs, manufactures and markets a wide range of audio and infotainment products for the automotive, consumer and professional markets, and maintains a strong presence in the Americas, Europe and Asia, employing more than 11,000 people worldwide. The Harman International family of brands includes AKG®, Audioaccess®, Becker®, BSS®, Crown®, dbx®, DigiTech®, Harman Kardon®, Infinity®, JBL®, Lexicon®, Mark Levinson®, Revel®, QNX®, Soundcraft® and Studer®. Harman International’s stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “NYSE: HAR.”

Harman HiQnet™ is the world's first connectivity and control protocol that integrates all product categories in the signal chain for professional audio systems of all types, size, and applications. Harman HiQnet no longer requires the user to manage multiple disparate operating systems or be responsible for programming individual signal processors, speaker controllers, wireless microphone systems, and mixing consoles. HiQnet was developed by engineers from across the Harman Pro Group and is coordinated by the System Development and Integration Group (SDIG), a team of dedicated systems specialists based in Salt Lake City, Utah.