Historic sanctuaries and houses of worship present some of the most complex acoustic environments for integrators. Hard surfaces, vaulted ceilings and architectural nuances often create high reverberation times that drastically reduce speech intelligibility. When St. John the Baptist Church in Jefferson, Wis., sought an audio upgrade, the project demanded a solution that could overcome these acoustic hurdles without compromising the sanctuary’s recently updated aesthetics.
Peak Systems Group, the Reedsburg, Wisc.-based, audiovisual systems integrator, took on the challenge, setting out to deliver a high-quality, intelligible sound system. By leveraging specialized passive loudspeaker technology from 1 SOUND, the integration team achieved exceptional clarity and seamless visual integration.
The Challenge: Reflective Surfaces and Specific Client Requests
Worship spaces are uniquely challenging due to their architectural designs, which prioritize visual grandeur over acoustic dampening. At St. John the Baptist Church, this challenge was amplified by a recent remodel that included the removal of the existing carpet. This change significantly increased the room’s reflective surfaces, making acoustic control a top priority.
Furthermore, the client had specific technical preferences based on past experiences. While many modern integrators might turn to steerable column arrays to combat high reverberation in difficult acoustic spaces, the church explicitly requested an alternative.
“The client wanted to move away from steerable column arrays,” explained Isaac Mittlesteadt, design engineer at Peak Systems Group. “While these systems often address difficult acoustics, a prior negative experience led them to request a fully passive approach. The remodeled sanctuary required a system that performed at a high level without compromising aesthetics or architectural integrity.”
To meet these strict criteria, the team needed a passive system that offered exceptional pattern control, transparent high-frequency response and a discrete physical footprint.
The Solution: Precision Audio Engineering
To achieve both acoustic performance and visual integration, Peak Systems Group selected a comprehensive suite of products from 1 SOUND. The deployment strategy focused on delivering consistent coverage and clarity across the entire seating area while keeping the technology visually unobtrusive.
The core of the new system relies on three specific 1 SOUND models:
- Contour CT28 Loudspeakers: Deployed as the primary audio source, providing precise pattern control to keep sound energy focused on the congregation and off the reflective walls.
- Cannon C5i Loudspeakers: Utilized to provide critical audio support and fill coverage in smaller, targeted zones within the sanctuary.
- SUB12 Subwoofers: Integrated to deliver necessary low-frequency support for musical performances and spoken word resonance, without overwhelming the acoustic space.
The CT28’s smooth high-frequency response proved essential for delivering transparent, intelligible speech throughout the highly reflective room.
Validating the Design with 3D Prediction Software
In complex acoustic environments, guesswork is not an option. To ensure the selected hardware would perform exactly as intended, Peak Systems Group utilized advanced modeling tools before a single cable was pulled.
“A quick model in Auralis confirmed proper trim heights and down angles for the CT28’s horn pattern, supporting the overall design strategy,” noted Mittlesteadt. By using 1 SOUND’s proprietary 3D audio prediction software, the integration team accurately mapped the room’s dispersion requirements, guaranteeing that the passive system would effectively mitigate the sanctuary’s acoustic reflections.
Achieving Architectural and Acoustic Harmony
In high-end integration projects, the visual impact of the technology is just as critical as its technical performance. For a historic or traditionally styled sanctuary, bulky black speaker cabinets can severely detract from the architectural beauty of the space.
To ensure the system blended naturally into the environment, Peak Systems Group specified the 1 SOUND enclosures in standard white. This color matching complemented the sanctuary’s updated, light-colored architecture.
“Ensuring the system matched the sanctuary’s aesthetics helped minimize potential negative feedback,” Mittlesteadt said. The careful physical integration of the hardware allowed the congregation to focus entirely on the service, experiencing clear, natural sound without any distracting visual elements.
The Value of Strategic Manufacturer Partnerships
Courtesy / 1 SOUND
Delivering a successful AV integration project requires more than just high-quality hardware; it demands a strong relationship between the integrator and the manufacturer. For Peak Systems Group, the collaboration with 1 SOUND proved highly beneficial.
“1 SOUND is great to work with,” Mittlesteadt added. “The family-operated ‘small feel’ company aligns well with our heritage and culture at Peak Systems Group, and we’re happy to have them as a partner in our loudspeaker toolbox.”
This alignment in company culture and commitment to engineering excellence allowed Peak Systems Group to deliver a bespoke solution tailored precisely to the client’s operational and aesthetic needs.
Elevate Your Next Integration Project
The successful deployment at St. John the Baptist Church highlights the importance of matching the right technology to the specific acoustic and architectural demands of a space. By utilizing precise 3D modeling, strategic hardware selection, and a fully passive design approach, Peak Systems Group provided the church with an elegant, highly effective solution for both speech reinforcement and musical performance.
The resulting system delivers consistent coverage, total transparency, and flawless clarity, proving that strict client constraints can lead to highly innovative and successful engineering outcomes.
