China: On March 15, 2025, the debut performance and 20th anniversary celebration of the large-scale historical outdoor dance drama “The Song of Everlasting Sorrow” took place at the scenic Huaqing Palace near Lintong, Xi’an. With Mount Li as the backdrop and Nine-Dragon Lake as the stage, the show captivated countless visitors with its unique artistic expression and awe-inspiring production. Behind this extraordinary performance, Martin Audio played a vital role, delivering an immersive auditory experience for the audience.
The performance venue of “The Song of Everlasting Sorrow” is truly one-of-a-kind — Mount Li provides a natural backdrop, while Nine-Dragon Lake serves as a dynamic stage. However, this distinctive terrain also posed significant challenges for the sound system. The vast stage area and complex topography made sound distribution difficult, with reflections from the mountains and refraction from the water surface leading to uneven audio, decay, and echoes.
To ensure every audience member enjoys clear, powerful, and immersive sound from any seat, Martin Audio’s professional team conducted an in-depth acoustic analysis of the venue. Through repeated testing and fine-tuning, the 2025 Ice & Fire edition of “The Song of Everlasting Sorrow” was fully upgraded with Martin Audio’s flagship WPL + SXH218 line array system. Lighting, stage design, audio equipment, and props were also comprehensively upgraded — with the addition of ice and snow-themed elements for a refreshed visual impact.
Martin Audio’s WPL system played a critical role in this sound system upgrade. Utilizing advanced DSP optimization technology, it allows precise control over each speaker element, achieving accurate sound positioning and even coverage. Whether in the front row or the back, every audience member experiences equally clear and powerful audio, as if they were in the center of the stage.
The WPL system also offers high SPL output, making it well-suited for large, open-air venues and complex show conditions, delivering an immersive and emotionally engaging auditory impact.
At the performance site, Martin Audio’s product deployment was nothing short of ingenious. Two small pavilions on either side of the stage — typically hidden underground — rise up like sleeping giants during the performance, transforming into powerful sound towers. Each side features an array of 5 WPL speakers, working together like a well-rehearsed symphony orchestra to blend vocals, dialogue, music, and environmental effects into one seamless soundscape.
Additionally, 8 SXH218 subwoofers were discreetly positioned on both sides of the stage. Hidden from view but powerfully present, they deliver deep and resonant bass that enhances the emotional depth of the performance. The entire system is driven by 10 iK42-Dante amplifiers.