One of the Nicest Sounding Churches in Australia: Inside the Equippers Church Adelaide Refresh
Twenty years is a long life for a sound system. More than two decades ago we installed a Martin Audio system at Equippers Church Adelaide, and it did its job. But things change over time, technology improves in leaps and bounds, the church building and auditorium changes and so does the surrounding community.
The brief for the speaker system refresh was clear: Increase clarity and consistency of sound to every seat, even at lower volume levels and reduce the transmission of sound, particularly bass through to the external of the building.
What was the actual problem?
Not volume. Clarity and containment.
Like a lot of churches, Equippers Adelaide had sound leaking out of the building and into the surrounding community. At the same time this is a multi-generational congregation, so the system had to work for a room full of people who don't necessarily have the same preferences for a Sunday morning. The older system struggled to produce the right amount of clarity at the desired levels.
Those constraints pull against each other, and they're what shaped every decision that followed.
How do you design for both control & clarity at varying volume levels?
Extensive modelling and experience. We modelled multiple system options in the auditorium to find the one that gave even coverage and clarity to every seat, and maximum directivity and control of the sub-bass.
The result was a carefully designed Adamson iS10 line array, supported by iS10p left, right and centre fills, with iS5c lip fills across the front of the stage, and an accompanying CS119 end fire sub bass array.
The combination delivers precise, even coverage throughout the room, with exceptional clarity and depth without having to push overall volume levels (although there is much headroom for that too). More impact with less output; a critical factor in helping to contain the sound within the building, and also cater to the multi-generational congregation.
Where does the low end actually go?
Mostly into the room, and not much further.
Low frequencies are the hardest thing to contain and the most likely to travel beyond the walls of a building. Our end-fire sub array allows us to focus and steer the majority of the sub bass energy into the seated areas. Mitigating sub energy behind onto the stage and also very importantly, to the external of the building..
Why put a second, smaller SPEAKER SYSTEM at front of house?
At front of house we installed a near-field monitoring solution built around Adamson IS7px speakers paired with an IS118 subwoofer.
The new PA system doesn’t mean losing sensitivity to the outside community. Having the small monitoring system at FOH, tuned and voiced the same as the main PA, means that the existing schedule of operation can continue with even more benefit.
It lets the team build and refine their mix without engaging the main PA - translating seamlessly when switching over to the full system
t's a practical, forward-thinking approach: better results, faster, and far less noise in the building during rehearsal and setup - and the opportunity for unlimited mid-week training for operators to hone their skills.
What's powering it?
Adamson XG amplifiers, and this is the first installation of that platform anywhere in Australia.
It brings the same advanced technology found in Adamson's CS Series touring systems into a fixed install environment, which means a new level of control and performance in the room.
For us it's technology we already trust on major events and productions, now adapted to serve the long-term needs of a local church.
How do you cover a full band every week?
With enough wireless that nobody has to compromise.
To support a large band and multiple speakers each week, we deployed 12 channels of Sennheiser EW-DX EM4 wireless microphones. Reliable, high-quality wireless performance across a wide range of applications, so every voice is captured clearly and integrated cleanly into the broader system design.
GEAR USED
Wireless Microphones & IN-ear monitors
3x Sennheiser EW-DX EM 4 DANTE 4 Channel Wireless Mic Receivers
10x Sennheiser EW-DX SKM Wireless Handheld Mics with MMD945 and MM435 Capsules
2x Sennheiser EW-DX SK Wireless Beltpack Transmitters
Sennheiser BA-70 Rechargeable Batteries
Sennheiser CHG70 Charging Docks
8x Sennheiser EW IEM G4 Stereo In-Ear Monitor Systems
4x Sennheiser EW IEM G4-TWIN In-Ear Monitor Systems
RF Venue CP Stage & CP Beam Antennae
Speaker System
7x Adamson iS10 : Main Left Array
7x Adamson iS10 : Main Right Array
3x Adamson iS10p : Centre & Outfills
5x Adamson iS5c : Stage Lip Fill
8x Adamson CS119 - End Fire Sub Array
2x Adamson iS7px : Near Field Monitors
1x Adamson iS118 : Near Field Monitor
1x Adamson XG2 Amp : Near Field Monitors
2x Adamson XG4 Amp : Main Left & Right Arrays
1x Adamson XG8 Amp : All Fills
What about the visuals?
To complete the space we designed and installed a 14.5m x 5m 3.9mm instaLED screen, creating a bold and immersive visual focal point.
As well as being a striking and flexible centre-stage feature, the high brightness and clarity of this affordable but powerful LED screen keep content, lyrics and visuals sharp and engaging from every seat in the room.
Was this just an upgrade?
Not really. For Equippers Church Adelaide it's a carefully considered answer to a modern problem: powerful, engaging sound that still respects a growing neighbourhood and a congregation of diverse ages and tastes.
And for us it's a full-circle moment. Coming back more than 20 years after the original installation, not just to upgrade what was already working but to reimagine it for the next season, says something about how we'd like to work: systems that last, and partnerships that outlast them.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Yes. We're based in Newcastle and we typically design and install systems across NSW, VIC, QLD, ACT, SA, WA and internationally.
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It can make a big difference. Low frequencies are the hardest to contain, which is why we deployed the CS119 subwoofers at Equippers Adelaide in an end-fire array. That gives directional control over low-frequency energy, keeping it focused into the room and significantly reducing spill behind the stage and into the surrounding area.
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Always. We model different system options in the auditorium first, so the design is chosen on even coverage and clarity to every seat rather than raw output.
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Yes. At Equippers Adelaide we designed and installed a 14.5m x 5m 3.9mm instaLED screen alongside the audio system. We also design and install lighting.
Thinking About Your Church Sound System?
Whether it's a full system refresh, an LED screen, or a second opinion on what you already own; here or anywhere in Australia. Just get in touch. We'd love to help.