NZICC unveils major JBL VTX installation
NZICC unveils major JBL VTX installation
The newly opened New Zealand International Convention Centre (NZICC) has deployed what is reported to be one of the largest JBL Professional installations in the APAC region. The installation includes a JBL VTX A Series system forming the centrepiece of a venue wide Harman Professional audio infrastructure designed to support conferences, exhibitions, banquets and live performances.
Located in central Auckland, NZICC is New Zealand’s only venue with official International Convention Centre status. To meet the demands of its diverse event programme, the venue required an audio system capable of delivering consistent performance across hundreds of spaces while remaining flexible enough to accommodate multiple room configurations.
Delivered by Harman Professional distributor JPRO and integration partner Vega Global NZ, the installation centres on a JBL VTX A8 line array system in the Te Paepae Theatre. The modular venue seats up to 2,850 guests and can be reconfigured into two independent theatres, requiring an audio system capable of adapting without compromising coverage or clarity.
“One of the most important things for us as an international venue is that when you cater to such a huge international audience, we have to provide world-class audio for every single one of our attendees,” said Ryan Gollner, technology services manager at NZICC. “You need an internationally recognised brand that can meet that brief and that’s where JBL came in. We were looking for consistency across the entire venue and so we needed the best products and solutions.”
The theatre system comprises 40 VTX A8 loudspeakers configured in L-C-R arrays, supported by VTX G28 dual 18-inch subwoofers, VTX B18 single 18-inch subwoofers, VTX F15 delay loudspeakers, VTX M20 stage monitors and AC18/95 loudspeakers for front fill. When operating in its full performance configuration, the system is designed to achieve consistent coverage throughout the auditorium while supporting rapid reconfiguration for dual theatre operation.
Systems design and optimisation were carried out using JBL Venue Synthesis 3D Acoustic Simulation software, which enabled the project team to model Full Performance, Dual Conference and Hybrid Conference operating modes before installation.
Power and loudspeaker management are provided by 34 Crown I-Tech 4x3500HD amplifiers, with all tuning, calibration and preset data stored directly within the amplifiers for rapid recall during room reconfigurations.
Audio networking and processing are handled by BSS Soundweb London BLU-806DA processors operating over a Dante network, providing centralised signal routing and control throughout the facility. FOH mixing is managed via dual Soundcraft Vi3000 digital mixing consoles paired with Soundcraft 64-channel and 32-channel stageboxes.
“The Te Paepae Theatre represents a milestone for professional audio in New Zealand,” commented Paul Edlin, director at JPRO. “The selection of the JBL VTX A8 was driven by performance, efficiency and value. What truly stands out is how effortlessly it meets the demands of a space this size. The coverage is seamless, the sound is stunning and the system gives NZICC the flexibility to handle anything from keynote addresses to world-class performances with ease.”
Beyond the theatre, JBL loudspeakers have been deployed throughout meeting rooms, exhibition halls, public areas and back of house spaces, creating a consistent audio experience across the entire venue through a unified JBL, Crown, BSS and Soundcraft ecosystem.
