Category: LEA Professional

After 20 years of operation, some of the original audio infrastructure began to fail. Individual devices were replaced to keep the system functioning, but the school district recognized they needed a more comprehensive equipment overhaul to ensure reliability for crucial public address functions. Culwell Center staff contacted Ron Stanley, Proprietor of NX A/V, with whom they had a long-standing relationship for audio systems support, to recommend system upgrades. Stanley immediately included LEA Professional amplifiers as part of the retrofit.

“Recently, I was trying to decide on what our go-to amp was going to be moving forward, so I brought in several amps for a shootout,” said Stanley. “LEA was the winner, not just for the sound quality but feature set as well.”

Stanley’s team installed five Connect Series 354, four Connect Series 704, and four Connect Series 1504 amplifiers to power the venue’s public address system. The CS354 is a 4-channel amplifier with 350 watts per channel, while the 4-channel CS704 offers 700 watts per channel, and the 4-channel CS1504 provides 1500 watts per channel. All Connect Series amplifiers are professional-grade IoT-enabled smart amplifiers for any size installation, support Hi-Z (70V or 100V) and Lo-Z selectable by channel, and feature Smart Power Bridge technology. 

The Connect Series delivers an industry-first professional amplifier family to feature cloud connectivity, a revolutionary advancement and a significant benefit for anyone maintaining the systems. With LEA Cloud, AV teams can remotely control and monitor the amplifiers regardless of the location or time of day, and with no subscription model or hidden costs, it’s completely free to use.

Stanley remarked, “With the cloud registered amps, we, as well as registered venue staff, can get notification of events and faults, like a speaker circuit that is over or under the expected impedance that could indicate a blown speaker or broken wire, often before anyone in the venue actually notices.”

To create an exceptional audio experience for their diners and players, the team at Henry Dorrbaker’s turned to Brent Hayes, President of the Cherry Valley, IL-based AV integrator SVL Productions, to design and install a sound system to elevate the already amazing upbeat atmosphere inside the venue. The goal was to provide polished background music, flexible zone control, and capabilities fit for the fast-paced and ever-changing needs of live entertainment, all while ensuring simple remote management for the venue’s staff. 

SVL specified LEA Professional Connect Series amplifiers and the LEA Cloud for this project, leveraging the company’s industry-renowned features and reliable performance standards to meet the venue’s needs. Hayes installed the Connect Series 124D, Connect Series 354D, and Connect Series 702D amplifiers to enhance the guest experience at Henry Dorrbaker’s.

“We greatly appreciate the LEA Cloud platform and the Connect Series amplifiers as they provide us with extensive visibility and control over our customers’ systems,” said Hayes. “We currently have hundreds of LEA amplifiers online and anticipate adding around 30 more in the coming months. The remote access feature allows us to support our clients efficiently without needing to be on-site.”

The Connect Series amplifiers provide Dante-enabled network connectivity, making them ideal for Henry Dorrbaker’s distributed audio system. Featuring Smart Power Bridge technology, these amplifiers allow for flexible configuration with both high- and low-impedance speakers, ensuring consistent, high-quality audio throughout the venue. Hayes utilized the LEA Cloud, which enables staff to monitor and manage the amplifiers remotely. This cloud-based platform offers real-time insights into amplifier performance, allowing for quick and efficient system adjustments and troubleshooting.

The Connect Series amplifiers offer audio power to various zones throughout Henry Dorrbaker’s, ensuring vibrant sound coverage in the dining areas, bar, restrooms, and outdoor spaces. The amplifiers drive the outdoor speakers, transforming the patio into a lively venue for guests to enjoy fresh air and amazing audio with their night out. As the weather warms up, the team looks forward to fully utilizing the outdoor space to enhance the guest experience with high-quality audio.

Wellington International’s management team is very tech-forward and acknowledges the value and benefits that superior AV solutions bring to outdoor venues. The venue has recently undertaken a holistic overhaul of its AV systems to provide a more consistent and expandable solution. Overseeing the retrofit is Patrick McKenney, Director of Technology at Wellington International, who immediately turned to LEA Professional amplifiers to help improve sound quality around the property.

“As large as our property is, we began with a pilot program at our dressage ring to see how the new system components performed regarding dust and humidity,” said McKenney. “Dressage involves a custom music soundtrack for each rider, so it’s essential that the rider and horse hear the music. Once we switched over to LEA amplifiers, there was a night and day difference in the audio clarity and power of the amplifiers. It’s really impressive.”

McKenney deployed Connect Series 704 amplifiers to power the ring’s speakers. The IoT-enabled 4-channel 704 provides 700 watts per channel, supports Hi-Z (70V or 100V) and Lo-Z selectable by channel, and features Smart Power Bridge technology. Venue staff can connect to the built-in Wi-Fi access point, the center’s Wi-Fi, or the local area network via Cat5 or Cat6 cable. The CS704s also provide the DSP for the dressage arena’s audio system.

Given the pilot program’s success, McKenney moved forward with upgrading the main stadium’s AV system, deploying Dante Connect 704D and Dante Connect 352D amplifiers. The 352D is a 2-channel amplifier with 350 watts per channel. Dante Connect models include the same features as Network Connect models, plus 96kHz-capable Dante and AES67 connectivity options.

The Connect Series delivers an industry-first professional amplifier family to feature cloud connectivity, a revolutionary advancement and a significant benefit for anyone maintaining the systems. With LEA Cloud, AV teams can remotely control and monitor the amplifiers regardless of their location or time of day. 

After 25 years of operation, parts of the stadium’s audio system needed maintenance. Following a competitive bidding process, C.V. Lloyde AudioVisual was selected to oversee the stadium’s audio upgrades. Originally specified with competitive products, the team at C.V. Lloyde saw an advantage in pivoting to amplifiers from LEA Professional.

“We offered an alternate against the approved amplifiers because we felt there was an opportunity for the client to take advantage of excellent performance, ease of use, and distinct cost savings on the project,” said Stephen Morris, President of C.V. Lloyde AudioVisual. “After performing our due diligence on breaking down the home runs and verifying the requirements of each potential zone, we confirmed that a complement of LEA amplifiers would be more than sufficient to meet the venue’s needs.”

C.V. Lloyde installed multiple Connect Series 704D and Connect Series 1504D amplifiers to power the lower bowl in the venue. The 4-channel CS704D offers 700 watts per channel, and the 4-channel CS1504D provides 1500 watts per channel. All Dante Connect Series amplifiers are professional-grade IoT-enabled smart amplifiers for any sized installation, support Hi-Z (70V or 100V) and Lo-Z selectable by channel, feature Smart Power Bridge technology, and both 96kHz-capable Dante and AES67 connectivity options. 

C.V. Lloyde utilized LEA’s free SharkWare software to perform offline programming of all the pre-staged LEA amplifiers. SharkWare includes amplifier grouping, offline design, granular user access control levels, locked speaker tunings, and a graphical EQ. SharkWare also allows users to monitor the status of every amplifier connected to the network and the status and performance of individual channels. In addition, the software gives users the ability to view and adjust channel settings such as input settings, signal generator, crossover, equalizer, limiter, and load monitoring for all LEA Professional Connect Series amplifiers.

Before opening, venue staff contacted Joseph Hazelwood, founder of Hazelwood Laboratories, to design an audio system for their indoor and outdoor areas. The bar wanted audio capabilities for a wireless handheld mic, background music, and TV audio, with local zone control for specific areas like the bar and outdoor play area.

“I use LEA amplifiers for every project because I’ve found them to be well-suited to my installations, and there are enough products in the LEA line not to seek out other options,” said Hazelwood. “I like to keep my offerings streamlined and not make engineering complicated, so there was no question going in the door what amps I would use.”

Hazelwood installed Connect Series 354 and Connect Series 704 amplifiers to power the upbeat audio experience in the venue. The CS354 is a 4-channel amplifier with 350 watts per channel, while the CS704 is a 4-channel amplifier that outputs 700 watts per channel. All Connect Series amplifiers are professional-grade IoT-enabled smart amplifiers for any sized installation, support Hi-Z (70V or 100V) and Lo-Z selectable by channel, and feature Smart Power Bridge technology. There are three ways to connect: the venue can engage the built-in Wi-Fi access point, connect to the Wi-Fi, or connect to the local area network via Cat5 or Cat6 cable.

The CS354s power the loudspeakers in the indoor bar, restrooms, and a side room, while the CS704s power the outdoor bar and perimeter loudspeakers around the play area. 

The Connect Series delivers an industry-first professional amplifier family to feature cloud connectivity, a revolutionary advancement and a significant benefit for anyone maintaining the systems. With LEA Cloud, Hazelwood’s team can remotely control and monitor the amplifiers regardless of the location or time of day. 

Hazelwood also installed custom HX wall controllers in the Urban Dog Bar, allowing staff to select zones, control the volume, and change sources separately. His unique audio controllers combine the tactile experience of analog hardware with the capability of smart technology, providing users with simple, independent control of multiple zones and sources through API calls to the LEA amplifiers. 

Jakarta-based AV systems integrator PT Albeta Sukses Mandiri was contracted to install the AV systems based on their extensive regional experience. The scale of the site, new technology, and the multinational nature of the operation proved to be exciting challenges they faced head-on.

“This was our first installation with LEA Professional amplifiers,” said William Gendri, project manager at PT Albeta Sukses Mandiri. “We were very impressed with the amplifiers’ feature sets, including the fact you only need Wi-Fi to connect to the web browser. Plus, the WebUI software was very intuitive.”

Gendri’s team mounted four-column loudspeakers in the sports bar, and a daisy-chained network of surface-mount loudspeakers was ceiling-mounted along the corridor connecting the outdoor bays to minimize audio spillover between the individual bays. Pendant loudspeakers cover zones such as the specialty bar and the outdoor dining area, while landscape loudspeakers and subwoofers reinforce the outdoor range. Ceiling loudspeakers provide background music in more peripheral zones.

PT Albeta Sukses Mandiri installed multiple Connect Series 352 and Connect Series 704 amplifiers to power the immersive audio experience in the venue. The CS352 is a 2-channel amplifier with 350 watts per channel, while the CS704 is a 4-channel amplifier that outputs 700 watts per channel. All Connect Series amplifiers are professional-grade IoT-enabled smart amplifiers for any sized installation, support Hi-Z (70V or 100V) and Lo-Z selectable by channel, and feature Smart Power Bridge technology. With three ways to connect, the venue can engage the built-in Wi-Fi access point, connect to the Wi-Fi, or connect to the local area network via Cat5 or Cat6 cable.

The CS352s power the loudspeakers in the sports bar and the dividable social room, while the CS704s power the remaining loudspeakers.

In addition to enhancing the customer experience, ease of use and futureproofing were underlying design parameters for Gendri and his team. “The technicians can manage and control all the audio parameters via LEA’s WebUI,” he explained. “LEA’s amplifiers can also be managed and configured from a PC or a wireless touchscreen when connected to the venue’s existing Wi-Fi network.”