The Atrium is a large open glass-roofed space at Derby University’s Kedleston Road campus. The area forms the reception, student dining and student support centre for the site and is one of the main ‘mass congregation’ spaces in the University.

The requirement for a new PA system was put out to tender by the University with specific requirements regarding product type and speech intelligibility. Due to the complex nature of the acoustics within the Atrium space the University specified the need for a beam shaping column array system that could meet a specific STIPA rating. STIPA stands for Speech Transmission Index and is a defined measurement of the inteligibility of transmitted speech.

SSE Audio Group's Project Manager Mark Hatfield submitted a design utilising JBL Intellivox DSX, including models proving the required STIPA rating and the contract was awarded to SSE's Northern Office in Bradford.

JBL Intellivox DSX loudspeaker arrays were installed in key locations throughout the Atrium with special care taken to ensure they remained as hidden as possible in the open plan surroundings. The system was configured primarily for paging from Reception with provision to accommodate local inputs catering for events out in the Atrium.

SSE Audio Group's Technical Support Specialist, Paul Todd commissioned the system utilising Wincontrol software, to download system design parameters to the DSX arrays.

The installation took place during the summer holiday period with all the work completed prior to the students returning for the Autumn term. Mark Hatfield commented, ’The system was very well received by both staff and students with particular reference being made to how clear and intelligible the paging announcements now are. It was also good to once again receive positive comments regarding our engineers going the extra mile and carrying out the installation in an efficient and professional manner.'

JBL Intellivox, as part of the HARMAN Professional range, is distributed in the UK/ROI by Sound Technology Ltd.  For more information please call +44 (0) 1462 480000 or visit www.soundtech.co.uk/professional-audio

Contact SSE Audio at http://www.sseaudiogroup.com/Group or +44 (0)1527 528822.