Shanghai ACE installs Harman systems into NECC

Harman distributor Shanghai ACE has installed an end-to-end Harman Professional Solutions networked audio system at the National Exhibition and Convention Centre (NECC).

At 15.8 million square feet, the NECC in Shanghai is the largest convention facility of its kind in the world. The four main exhibit halls total 5.4 million square feet, each branching off from a central plaza to form a four-leaf-clover. In preparation for the inaugural China International Import Expo trade fair proposed by Chinese President Xi Jinping and due to be held in November, the facility has undergone extensive renovations. The NECC hired Shanghai ACE to upgrade the facility with a complete Harman networked audio solution including JBL loudspeakers, Crown amplifiers, dbx and BSS signal processors and Soundcraft mixers.

“Due to the rigid security of state leader conferences, there were strict requirements for the renovation project of the National Exhibition and Convention Centre,” said a spokesperson at Shanghai ACE. “We designed the Harman audio system to meet the toughest standards with excellent performance and high flexibility. Following the China Import Expo show, this audio system will continue to deliver premium audio quality for many more large-scale conferences and exhibitions.”

Shanghai ACE installed a wide range of JBL loudspeakers for different roles. The main sound systems in the exhibition halls are comprised of VRX and VTX Series line array elements, which provide ample power and coverage to fill the vast, pillarless spaces. Additional sound reinforcement is provided by JBL AM Series loudspeakers with switchable bi-amp/tri-amp design. CBT Series column loudspeakers deploy Constant Beamwidth technology to deliver consistent vertical coverage for specialised applications, while LSR Series nearfield monitors are used for mixing and reference. For outdoor sound reinforcement, Shanghai ACE provided JBL EON 600 portable PA systems with Bluetooth connectivity.

The entire sound system is powered by 36 network-connected Crown I-Tech amplifiers and 26 DCi Series models, while dbx loudspeaker management controls all systems throughout the facility. The system is connected by a network of BSS BLU-800 and BLU-100 signal processors, which perform signal routing via high-speed CobraNet and Dante protocols. A total of 18 Soundcraft mixers provide dozens of analogue and digital inputs and an intuitive user interface for mixing audio for large-scale events.