The Bucharest National Opera House, a cornerstone of Romania’s cultural heritage, recently undertook an audio upgrade project focused on enhancing performances whilst preserving the venue’s historic interiors. Previously, the venue largely relied on rented live sound systems. Oftentimes bulky and not suitable as a permanent solution, these systems risked detracting from the old-world grandeur of the space and potentially distracting audiences. The opera house team collaborated with local distributor and integrator, Senia, to implement a permanent K-array solution, which offers a sleek and unobtrusive design and superior sound quality. “One of the key challenges we faced at the Opera House was balancing the requirements for a high-performance audio system with the need to maintain the original architecture and features of the venue,” reflects Ionut Mavrichi at Senia. “K-array’s slim-profile loudspeakers were carefully selected for their ability to blend seamlessly into the environment.”
The main PA system features twelve Kayman KY102X loudspeakers, with six units per side, ensuring even sound distribution throughout the venue. To provide deep, resonant bass without overwhelming the space, four Thunder KS3P I subwoofers were suspended from the ceiling, with four more units available on dollies for flexible positioning based on the performance and event requirements. Audio coverage at the balcony level is achieved with six additional Kayman KY102X loudspeakers, ensuring a consistent listening experience for all audience members. Front-fill is provided by the ultra-flexible Anakonda KAN200+ loudspeakers, which are discreetly mounted to the front of the stage, delivering audio to those sitting closest to the action without interfering with the sight lines. The entire system is powered by Kommander KA208 and KA104 amplifiers, allowing the venue’s technicians to easily control and monitor system performance through the K-Framework 3 software. Custom RAL-coloured finishes were applied to the wall-mounted Kayman loudspeakers, blending them into the opera house’s interior design. The addition of a separate Pinnacle system in the lobby offers a consistent audio solution for smaller-scale events and gatherings.
The acoustic calibration of the system was a major part of the project, given the venue’s complex sound dynamics, including multiple balconies and highly reverberant surfaces. “Matteo Fanara and I had the opportunity to visit the site and calibrate the sound system in person,” says Paolo Capponi, Product Support Specialist at K-array. “The calibration process presented several challenges, primarily ensuring a well-balanced sound distribution throughout the entire venue and, secondly, achieving homogeneous low-frequency coverage in the audience area without interfering with the orchestra pit and the stage.” To address these challenges, K-array and Senia’s team opted for a cardioid-suspended subwoofer configuration, which allowed for better control over low-frequency dispersion whilst minimising unwanted low-frequency energy on stage. Through extensive testing, using multiple measurement microphones across the theatre, the team achieved a precise and linear frequency response, ensuring not only an even and well-balanced sound experience for the audience but also a precise calibration for the technical front-of-house engineers.
This project represents a milestone for Romania’s cultural sector, marking the first major audio upgrade at the Bucharest National Opera House since the 1990s. Through modernising the venue’s AV infrastructure, the installation sets a new benchmark for cultural institutions seeking to integrate advanced technology without compromising their own heritage. “The project is a great example of the power of collaboration,” says Mavrichi. “Beyond its technical achievements, our expertise coupled with the support and hands-on calibration of the K-array team has resulted in a very high-quality system that, I am sure, will inspire other cultural venues across Romania.”
