Lovers Lane United Methodist Church
In the late 1940s, a small group of faithful founded this Methodist Church on a Dallas street called Lovers Lane. Though the Church has since moved several blocks away, the name remains a part of its history and culture. Lovers Lane United Methodist Church’s sanctuary is a stunning architectural gem, its soaring glass walls and 36-foot ceiling making it the largest free-standing stained glass structure in North America. But while the Church’s architecture is awe-inspiring, it also presents acoustical challenges.
Challenges
- The Church’s extensive stained glass and hard surfaces create a reverberant chamber
- The sound system needed to be visually unobtrusive so as not to detract from the sanctuary’s remarkable architecture
- The system needed to provide improved intelligibility and output
Solution
Designer and system integrator Ford Audio-Video Systems selected Fulcrum Acoustic’s AH Series horn-loaded loudspeaker systems. “The previous point source speakers were medium-long throw systems, but lacked the tight pattern control the space required, particularly in the mid- and low-mid frequency range,” says Ford’s Shawn Slocum. “The AH65’s 60 x 45 degree pattern covers the seating area but ends just inside the angular side walls, limiting reflections and improving intelligibility.” The existing pew back system adds coverage for the far outside seats, and a pair of Fulcrum Acoustic US212 subwoofers are installed in the front organ towers, adding low frequency reinforcement that the sanctuary had never previously enjoyed.
“The new system delivers a marked improvement in both intelligibility and frequency response for parishioners seated in both the main floor and balcony areas,” Slocum reports, adding that the next phase of the project will include several Fulcrum DX896 loudspeakers to provide greater forward imaging for the front third of the main floor. “The new system has already made a dramatic difference, and will be even better when the front fills are installed next year.”
The new system delivers a marked improvement in both intelligibility and frequency response for parishioners seated in both the main floor and balcony areas.
Project Details
| Location | Dallas, Texas |
|---|---|
| Market | Worship |
| Type | 800+ seat sanctuary |
| Fulcrum Products | (3) Legacy AH Series Loudspeakers |
| (2) US212 Dual 12″ Direct-Radiating Subwoofer |
