Harry hires out VTX
Harry hires out VTX
A side-by-side comparison with its existing line array inventory recently led Australian event production company Harry the hirer Productions to invest in a new JBL VTX A Series system.
Supplied by Australian distributor MadisonAV, the purchase comprises 24 VTX A8 line array elements, 20 VTX B18 subs and four Crown VRack amplifier systems, each equipped with three I-Tech 4x3500HD amplifiers. The new system has already put to work at a Hyrox fitness event in Sydney and the AFL Grand Final Toyota Footy Fest in Melbourne. Rather than replacing the original system, the new investment adds a second line array brand to the company's inventory.
The decision to invest on the new system followed discussions with MadisonAV at ISE 2026, after which the distributor arranged a demonstration at Harry the hirer's Victorian warehouse. MadisonAV head of tour sound Peter Kubow worked with the company's audio team to compare the VTX A Series against an existing system, with both rigs tuned flat.
“We set up and tuned an existing rig next to it,” explained Rob Nickels, senior account manager at Harry the hirer Productions. “We were both surprised and happy to hear the overall performance when comparing both systems.”
Before committing to the purchase, the company also wanted to evaluate the system in a live production environment. That opportunity came at Hyrox at Sydney Showground, where the VTX A Series was deployed in Halls Five and Six for the event's Hyrox House area. The configuration comprised eight VTX A8 elements per side, with one flown B18 and three ground-stacked B18 subwoofers per side in cardioid mode.
Following the successful trial, the order was placed and six Harry the hirer Productions staff completed HARMAN-approved VTX A Series training delivered by Kubow and MadisonAV's Grant Embury. The new equipment was subsequently deployed at AFL Grand Final Toyota Footy Fest, which attracts around 65,000 people to Yarra Park on game day. With the event's production requirements expanding late in the planning process, MadisonAV further supplemented the company's new inventory with additional VTX A12 and A8 systems for the main stage.
In total, the main stage configuration included eight VTX A12 elements per side, four A8 front fills, 14 B18 subwoofers and an eight-element A8 delay hang. Harry the hirer's own equipment covered two additional locations along the Grand Final Parade route, each using six VTX A8 elements and three B18 subwoofers per side.
According to Nickels, the main stage system was rigged in approximately two hours, with testing and tuning completed in a further 90 minutes.
Front-of-house engineer Will Petts, who mixed the main stage, was impressed by the system's performance. “I've left the system basically flat since deployment, and it's been beautiful,” he commented. “Straight out of the box, it's done exactly what we hoped it would and more.”
Nickels also highlighted the practical advantages of the new inventory, particularly its rigging design. “The rigging is next level; it's so quick and easy to use,” he said. “Our A8 system fits into our inventory exactly where we need it. It's a good-looking, neat and tight box. It's very clean, and it's very discreet, and it's precisely the right price point.”
