New location expands HARMAN Professional’s global network of experience centers; Multi-functional facility will serve as new headquarters for EMEA region and showcase cutting-edge technology offerings

(NORTHRIDGE, Calif. & LONDON) —HARMAN Professional Solutions, the global leader in audio, video, lighting and control systems, including networked AV, today announced the grand opening of the HARMAN Experience Center – London. The new facility expands the growing global network of HARMAN Professional Solutions Experience Centers, including locations in Los Angeles, Singapore and Shanghai, and will serve as the new headquarters for the EMEA region.

Designed to showcase how HARMAN solutions uniquely address customer needs across a variety of entertainment and enterprise market applications, the 25,800-square-foot (2,400-square-meter), multi-functional facility including EMEA headquarter offices, demonstrates the integration of brands including JBL Professional®, AKG Acoustics®, AMX®, BSS Audio®, Crown International®, dbx Professional®, DigiTech®, Lexicon Pro®, Martin®, Soundcraft® and Studer®.

“The opening of the experience center in London represents a major investment in the EMEA region, enabling us to deepen relationships with our customers and greatly expand our presence across critical markets,” said Chris Smith, Vice President, EMEA, HARMAN Professional Solutions. “Not only will the facility offer customers the opportunity to experience HARMAN innovation firsthand, it provides our staff with a state-of-the-art headquarters that will allow us to pursue new opportunities with greater speed and efficiency.”

The HARMAN Experience Center—London is comprised of several dedicated spaces along with the EMEA office space and meeting rooms.The Product Showroom is filled with HARMAN solutions including HARMAN’s Connected Retail Experience, Huddle Space, Connected Hotel Room, Home Recording, Networked AVoIP, and much more. The Foyer, Boardroom and Auditorium are not only practical-use spaces, but also areas that demonstrate HARMAN solutions for restaurant, corporate, education, corporate, and theatre environments.

“By opening this HARMAN Experience Center in London, we expanding our robust global network of experience centers and enabling our customers around the world to experience the One HARMAN Solution proposition firsthand,” said Mohit Parasher, Executive Vice President and President, HARMAN Professional Solutions. “From JBL Professional sound and Martin lighting to AMX controllers and Samsung displays, the entire facility is a brilliant demonstration of what HARMAN products can do when deployed seamlessly together in enterprise and entertainment environments.”

The HARMAN Experience Center—London is open by appointment only to HARMAN and Samsung customers, employees, distributors, sales representatives, dealers, artists and other industry professionals for meetings, performances, productions, hospitality events, and more.

The HARMAN offices and Experience Center is located at Westside, London Road, Hemel Hempstead, HP3 9TD. For more information, contact European.Marketing@Harman.com.

Ba Sao Investment installs solutions by JBL, Crown, Soundcraft and dbx in Nguyen Van Dao Hall to optimize coverage and clarity for lectures and on-campus events

HANOI, VIETNAM—Ba Sao Investment recently installed a complete HARMAN Professional Solutions audio system in Vietnam National University’s Nguyen Van Dao Hall.

Founded in 1945, the state-owned academic institution currently offers graduate and undergraduate degrees in 131 Master programs, 126 Bachelor programs and 107 PhD programs in fields such as natural sciences, multi-industry technologies, social sciences and humanities, economics, education, foreign languages and more. In order to provide world-class audio for lectures, student activities and on-campus events, university leaders hired Ba Sao Investment to upgrade Nguyen Van Dao Hall’s aging sound system with a comprehensive HARMAN audio solution.

“Vietnam National University is one of the most prestigious schools in Vietnam,” said Nguyen Khac Anh, CEO, Ba Sao Investment. “VNU officials asked us to design a sound system that would enhance the clarity and coverage in the hall, while minimizing early reflections and unwanted reverberation. We surveyed the venue and determined the specifications required to achieve the university’s goals. The HARMAN system we installed met all those specifications, while staying within their budget.”

The HARMAN system installed in Nguyen Van Dao hall includes a main hang of JBL VRX932LA-1 line array speakers, supplemented by VRX918S subwoofers. VRX915M two-way speakers provide lecturers and performers with accurate, low-profile stage monitoring. The entire system is powered by Crown MA9000i tour-grade amplifiers, while a Soundcraft GB4-32 analog console ensures a clean, professional-sounding mix at each event.

One of Ba Sao Investment’s biggest challenges was designing a system that would deliver proper coverage and clarity, despite the hall’s traditional architecture and high ceilings. Ba Sao Investment relied on a dbx VENU360 loudspeaker management system to tune and optimize each speaker’s performance in the room. Additionally, a dbx AFS224 processor delivers advanced feedback suppression to eliminate microphone feedback during lectures and events. 

“The biggest obstacle we faced was working within the acoustic constraints of the existing architecture of the hall,” continued Mr. Khac Anh. “Fortunately, HARMAN Professional Solutions provided all the necessary tools and processing power to achieve proper sound coverage in the hall, and all of the equipment worked together seamlessly—making it that much easier to optimize the system.”

“We are proud to see our solutions being used by Vietnam National University,” said Ramesh Jayaraman, VP & GM, HARMAN Professional Solutions, APAC. “We believe the students and faculty will now enjoy a world-class audio experience in Nguyen Van Dao Hall. We thank Ba Sao Investment for their confidence in HARMAN’s products and their dedication to customer satisfaction.”

New video showcases how HARMAN Professional audio and lighting solutions deliver exceptional results for more than 2,000 events each year   

WASHINGTON D.C.—As the nation’s premier performing arts and cultural center, The Kennedy Center houses nine world-class performance spaces, including four theaters, three concert stages, an opera house, and a concert hall. It is also the resident venue for the National Symphony Orchestra (NSO) and the Washington National Opera (WNO). Each year, the Kennedy Center produces more than 2,000 events and performances, making it one of the only venues in the world to host such a high and diverse volume of programming.

In order to support a huge range of performances on a demanding schedule, the Kennedy Center relies on HARMAN Professional audio and lighting solutions to provide brilliant sound and lighting for each event. Every venue in the Kennedy Center features JBL Professional speakers, Crown amplifiers, dbx signal processing, Soundcraft or Studer consoles, AKG microphones, and Martin lighting.

To celebrate the 20-year partnership between HARMAN and The Kennedy Center, HARMAN traveled to the facility to create this video, which shows how HARMAN Professional audio and lighting solutions give event producers impressive artistic license to achieve their vision.  

• See how a complete HARMAN Professional audio and lighting solution enables the Kennedy Center to produce daring and artistic live performances across its nine venues
• Learn why HARMAN equipment provides the reliability, ease-of-use, and technical redundancy required for 365 days of performances across multiple venues
• Discover how more than 1,000 JBL loudspeakers and 500 Crown amplifiers bring impressive sound to every event
• Find out how Soundcraft and Studer consoles, and dbx signal processing help audio engineers deliver world-class mixes for each event
• See how AKG microphones provide professional sound reproduction for the NSO, WNO, and touring artists
• Learn why production teams use Martin moving-head fixtures to create stunning lighting designs

“The partnership that we've had with HARMAN is 20 years old, and in those 20 years we have done extraordinary work together. We've been creative, HARMAN has been responsive. And together we have done things that we alone could never have done.”
—Deborah Rutter, President, Kennedy Center 

“When the technology is at its best, you never think about it, you never see it. That allows culture to be culture and technology to just be the infrastructure that we know we need. And we're grateful to be working with HARMAN because they're a partner who can help us realize that vision.”
—Garth Ross, Vice President, Community Engagement, Kennedy Center

Watch the video now.

Free software update adds user-friendly features to HARMAN Connected PA system, including Offline/Online editing mode, Lexicon effects returns and more

NAMM (Booth #14811), ANAHEIM, Calif.—HARMAN Professional Solutions, the global leader in audio, video, lighting and control systems, including networked AV, today announced the immediate availability of the HARMAN Connected PA 1.1 for Mac, Windows, and iOS and Android tablets.

Connected PA 1.1 delivers new features that offer performing musicians, professional sound providers, and retail sales engineers greater flexibility and increased control. Offline/Online editing mode enables users to create virtual system configurations from any variety of Connected PA compatible components, before an event or performance and without being connected to the hardware. Users can then push their system configurations to the hardware for an event, installation or performance—greatly reducing setup time and complexity.

Connected PA 1.1 also makes it easier to enhance mixes with renowned Lexicon effects. Connected PA 1.1 now displays effects return channels for the Soundcraft Ui-mixer’s integrated Lexicon effects directly in the user interface, making it faster and easier to get a great sound. Lexicon effects returns are now displayed alongside the input channels, allowing users to adjust the levels of reverb and delay effects directly from the Connected PA.

“HARMAN Connected PA 1.1 makes it even faster and easier for musicians to set up and get professional sound,” said Scott Wood, Mixers Solutions Manager, HARMAN Professional Solutions. “With Offline/Online editing mode, musicians and audio professionals can design and configure their system at any time, streamlining setup when it’s time to perform. And with control over Lexicon effects-return now directly within the app, musicians will find it even easier to tailor their sound on the fly.”

As the world’s first completely integrated live sound system, HARMAN Connected PA brings together Soundcraft mixers, JBL speakers, AKG microphones and dbx DI boxes into a single, easy-to-use interface. At the heart of the Connected PA system, HARMAN’s exclusive ioSYS™ technology enables compatible products to recognize each other, and automatically configures the system for professional results. Powered by Soundcraft Ui-mixers’ integrated dbx, DigiTech and Lexicon processing, the HARMAN Connected PA app includes presets to help musicians find and optimize their sound in various venues and performance environments. Current compatible products include Soundcraft Ui12, Ui16, and Ui24R digital mixers, JBL PRX800 loudspeakers, dbx Di1 active direct boxes, AKG P5i microphones and the AKG MDAi dynamic microphone adapter.

Availability

The HARMAN Connected PA 1.1 mobile app is now available from the Apple App Store and Google Play. The Windows and Mac versions of Connected PA are available for download at connected-pa.com. The Soundcraft, AKG, dbx and JBL components mentioned in this announcement are all currently available. For additional information on the HARMAN Connected PA app and ecosystem, please visit http://connected-pa.com.

ITC Solutions deploys solutions by JBL, Crown, Soundcraft, dbx and AKG to provide world-class sound in lobby, lounge, event spaces and more

ULAANBAATAR, MONGOLIA — ITC Solutions installed a complete audio system by HARMAN Professional Solutions at Holiday Inn Ulaanbaatar.

The newly opened four-star hotel is the first property in Mongolia to satisfy the IHG “Green Engage” standard of sustainability. In addition to 170 rooms and 13 suites, the 20-story hotel features a lobby, SkyView Lounge, large ballroom and six conference rooms. In order to deliver a world-class audio experience to its guests, Holiday Inn Ulaanbaatar hired ITC Solutions to install an end-to-end HARMAN audio solution made up of solutions by JBL, Crown, Soundcraft, dbx and AKG.   

“HARMAN Professional Solutions is privileged to be a part of Holiday Inn Ulaanbaatar,” said Ramesh Jayaraman, VP & GM, HARMAN Professional Solutions, APAC. “We’re thrilled to see our solutions integrated in the first and only IHG “Green Engage” hotel in Mongolia. Holiday Inn staff and guests benefit from the quality and robustness of a HARMAN system. We thank our partner ITC Solutions for their faith in HARMAN and dedication to customer service.”

ITC Solutions faced a major challenge during the installation—building construction had begun before the audio system was designed. Fortunately, HARMAN offered a comprehensive variety of flexible solutions to accommodate the different reinforcement needs and acoustic environments within the hotel. The system ITC Solutions installed at Holiday Inn Ulaanbaatar consists of JBL loudspeakers, Crown amplifiers, Soundcraft mixers, dbx signal processors and AKG microphones, and enables the staff to produce a wide range of successful events.

JBL 8214 and 8128 in-ceiling loudspeakers discretely deliver elegant music throughout the lobby, Skyview Lounge and other public areas at Holiday Inn Ulaanbaatar. JBL Control HST wall-mount speakers’ patent-pending design eliminates room reflections and provides a flat frequency response and consistent sonic character throughout the hotel. The systems in the ballroom and conference rooms consist of JBL VRX932LA line array speakers and VRX918S subwoofers, delivering concert-worthy sound in a compact and efficient package. JBL PRX412M portable speakers provide versatility by functioning as stage monitors, conference room PAs or miscellaneous applications—depending on the event requirements. The entire system is powered by Crown XTi Series amplifiers, and optimized using a dbx DriveRack 4820 loudspeaker management system.

Events held in the hotel’s ballroom benefit from AKG CGN521 STS condenser gooseneck microphones, which include a control switch for mute, on/off, high pass filter and other functions—perfect for conference tables and podiums alike. When an event features musical entertainment, AKG D5 dynamic vocal microphones deliver crisp, dynamic live vocals with high feedback suppression. AKG WMS470 handheld/lavalier microphone sets provide the hotel AV staff with versatile wireless capabilities and convenient flexibility to handle any speech reinforcements.

A powerful and transparent audio mix is essential to the success of events at Holiday Inn Ulaanbaatar. A Soundcraft Si Expression Series digital mixing console offers extensive features and legendary sound quality in the ballroom, while Soundcraft EFX8 compact mixers enable intuitive control of microphone and playback levels during meetings in the conference rooms. 

Ba Sao Investment selects JBL, Crown, dbx, Lexicon and Soundcraft solutions to deliver premium sound quality at the historic Vietnamese puppet theater

HANOI, VIETNAM—Ba Sao Investment recently installed a complete audio system by HARMAN Professional Solutions at the Vietnam National Puppetry Theatre.

Since 1956, the Vietnam National Puppetry Theatre has preserved the uniquely Vietnamese art of water puppetry, hosting multiple performances per week. Considered a cultural highlight in northern Vietnam, these shows combine dramatic performances by skilled puppeteers with accompaniments by a traditional Vietnamese orchestra. In order to enhance the performances and ensure superb audio quality for audiences, the National Puppetry Theatre hired Ba Sao Investment to upgrade its aging audio system with a complete end-to-end HARMAN audio solution.

“One of the main objectives was to seamlessly integrate the new sound system with our existing equipment,” said Trịnh Đình Tân, Technical Manager, Vietnam National Puppetry Theatre. “It was also necessary to implement an outdoor-friendly solution that would be easy to set up and operate. The HARMAN system installed by Ba Sao Investment met all these requirements, delivering an audio experience worthy of the prestige our show is known for.”

The HARMAN sound system Ba Sao Investment installed in the National Puppetry Theatre includes JBL VT4886 line array speakers and VT4883 subwoofers, JBL PRX412M 12-inch portable speakers, JBL AWC129 weather-resistant speakers, JBL AC 25 ultra-compact speakers, Crown DSi2000 power amplifiers, dbx iEQ-31 equalizer/limiters, a Lexicon PCM92 digital effects processor and a Soundcraft GB8 series mixing console.

“We rely on HARMAN Professional Solutions to provide quality products for all of our installation needs,” said Nguyen Khac Anh, CEO, Ba Sao Investment Co. Ltd. “The National Puppetry Theatre wanted to make sure the audio solution would be easily integrated with their existing system. Thanks to the versatility of HARMAN products, they are very happy with the system we provided.”  

Ba Sao Investment designed the audio solution around JBL VerTec series line array speakers and subwoofers, which offer excellent performance and coverage in a compact footprint. PRX412M portable speakers provide clear and precise stage monitoring, while JBL AC25 ultra-compact speakers offer high output and 90° x 90° coverage. JBL AWC129 full-range speakers are highly weather-resistant and satisfy the theater’s outdoor use requirements.

The entire system is driven by Crown DSi 2000 amplifiers, which deliver unmatched sound quality and reliability. To ensure maximum sonic performance from the system, dbx iEQ31 graphic EQ/limiters offer 31-band equalization, AFS™ feedback suppression, Type V™ noise reduction and PeakStopPlus® limiting. The Lexicon PCM92 is the most advanced reverb and effects processor in its class and lends its famously rich and smooth sound to the productions. Finally, a Soundcraft GB8 dual-mode topology audio mixer brings industry-standard mixing control to each performance.

“We are honored to be a part of the unique traditions of Vietnamese puppetry art performance,” said Ramesh Jayaraman, VP & GM, HARMAN Professional Solutions, APAC. “We thank the National Puppetry Theatre for trusting HARMAN products to improve its audience experience, and Ba Sao Investment for continuing to have faith in HARMAN’s ability to deliver custom-tailored solutions for every client’s needs.”