Harman Professional Sound Systems Score Highly At Paralympics Opening And Closing Ceremonies

Following up on the successful deployment of Harman Professional audio technologies at the Beijing Summer Olympics ceremonies and competition events, professional-grade audio components from Harman brands, JBL Professional, Crown Audio and Soundcraft formed the backbone of the AV system used at the Paralympics opening and closing ceremonies. Hosted at the 90,000-capacity Beijing National Stadium, both events were designed by artistic directors Zhang Yimou and Zhang Jigang and featured spectacular, highly evocative performances of sound and light that provided a beautiful culmination to inspiring 12 days of competition.

The main system comprised of 20 JBL Professional VERTEC® VT4888DPAN powered line array elements featuring Crown-designed DrivePack® power amplification modules complemented by four JBL VERTEC VT4880 arrayable subwoofers powered by two Crown I-Tech Series iT6000 amplifiers. This system featured Soundcraft Vi6 digital mixing consoles at front of house and monitor positions and also included two Soundcraft MH4 consoles for backup applications. One hundred thirty-two Crown I-Tech Series iT4000 amplifiers were also deployed for fill applications.

Twenty-six JBL Professional MS26 loudspeakers powered by 16 Crown I-Tech Series iT4000 amplifiers provided sound at the VIP area and an additional 60 JBL Professional PRX512M portable loudspeakers were deployed throughout the stadium in special zones like at video walls, athlete entrances, media and production centers and athlete waiting areas.

The systems were designed and deployed by ACE (Advanced Communication Equipment Co., Ltd.,) led by Terry Lo and Bingo Tso. ACE was also responsible for much of the permanent audio system installations at the various game venues and according to Terry Lo, the Paralympics marked a special conclusion to a busy-but-inspiring Olympic Games. “The scale of achievements at these games from the initial bid and organization to venue design and construction and ultimately, sporting performance is a remarkable, lasting tribute to all of those involved,” Lo said. “At ACE, we are at once humbled by the achievements of these people and also proud of our contribution to the audio video success.”

Commenting on the application, Michael MacDonald, Harman Professional Executive Vice President of Marketing & Sales, noted today, “Though our systems are used to support the most prestigious and technologically-demanding political, sporting and entertainment events around the globe, few projects can match the tremendous pride and satisfaction we draw from the fact that our products were used at the Paralympics. We applaud the designers and systems engineers at ACE and also the great athletes and artists whose spirit and achievements make the Paralympics such an important and impressive event.”

Harman Professional sound systems were featured at the opening and closing ceremonies of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Summer Games and were also featured in 12 of the most prestigious venues for the games. The Beijing National Aquatics Centre, featured JBL Professional loudspeakers, a Soundcraft console, Crown amplifiers and BSS Audio processing. The Fengtai Softball Field sound system is comprised of Soundcraft consoles, JBL Professional loudspeakers, dbx processing and Crown amplifiers. Many of the same Harman companies are featured at the Chang Ping indoor arena that hosted Tae Kwon Do competitions. The AV system at the Beijing Foreign Language University Stadium comprised BSS processing, Crown amplifiers, dbx patchbays, Lexicon processors and Soundcraft consoles. In Shanghai, the Shanghai Stadium featured an arsenal of JBL loudspeakers, BSS Audio signal processors, Crown microphones, Lexicon processor and Soundcraft consoles. Basketball competitions were held at Wukesong Indoor Stadium, home to an AV system that featured Crown amplifiers and JBL Professional loudspeakers for public address. The AV system at Hong Kong’s Olympic Equestrian Venue was complete with JBL Professional loudspeakers and Soundcraft mixers and the Laoshoan Velodrome sound system featured JBL loudspeakers, Crown amplifiers, BSS processors and dbx Control. The Olympic Green Convention Centre which served as the International Broadcast Centre and the Main Press Centre featured Soundcraft consoles, Crown amplifiers, BSS processors and JBL loudspeakers and the sound system at the now-iconic Beijing National Stadium was powered by a battery of Crown amplifiers.

Harman International Industries, Incorporated (www.harman.com), designs, manufactures and markets a wide range of audio and infotainment products for the automotive, consumer and professional markets. Harman International maintains a strong presence in the Americas, Europe and Asia, and employs 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.”