LEUSDEN, The Netherlands – June 2024 – “We wanted the best system in the Netherlands. It had to be refined and future-proof,” says Daniël Bril, audio engineer at AFAS Theater, who found the perfect solution in a combination of L Series and L-ISA immersive technology. The world’s first L-ISA installation using the L Series is a perfect match for AFAS Theater, a state-of-the-art, purpose-built multifunctional venue commissioned by AFAS Software, a leading ERP developer. Like the company itself, the venue, opened in 2021, needed to be flexible, versatile, and innovative in everything from layout and décor to audiovisual technology. To identify the optimal solution, they consulted Jeroen ten Brinke, an experienced sound designer and consultant. His involvement streamlined the process and kept the focus on finding the best solution for the venue.

“AFAS embraces new technologies, and when L-Acoustics introduced the L2 system, it truly amazed us,” Bril explains. The 800-seat theater, at the heart of the AFAS complex, hosts everything from conferences, corporate events, and award ceremonies to theatrical productions and live concerts. Dedicated to new technologies and innovation, the AFAS Theater team tested several systems. From the moment they were introduced to L-Acoustics’ new L Series professional audio system, their choice was clear, launching the world’s first permanently installed L-ISA implementation with the L Series.

Pushing Boundaries

Bril worked closely with René van der Linden of Fairlight, L-Acoustics Certified Provider Distributor for the Netherlands, and Gert Wiersema, application engineer at L-Acoustics. Using Soundvision audio modeling software, they designed a system that would meet the theater’s wide range of events while remaining visually unobtrusive. “Sightlines were a key consideration for this project,” Bril explains. “The L Series allows us to provide full coverage with a relatively small PA, from the top row of the balcony to the edge of the stage. The L Series is much smaller than cabinets with comparable power, and it looks great too!”

Installed by Fairlight, the audio partner for the project, the L-ISA setup consists of five hangs of one L2 over one L2D and ten flown KS21 subwoofers . Two X8 coaxial enclosures are used for in-fill, while twelve 5XTs provide front-fill coverage. Two X8s are positioned under the balconies to fill two small gaps not covered by the main system, while four 5XTs serve the private boxes. An overhead catwalk blocks coverage for the top rows of the balcony, so three A10 WIDE speakers restore this missing coverage and are fed via an LCR downmix from the L-ISA Processor II . The entire system is powered by eleven LA7.16i , two LA12X , and one LA4X amplified controllers.

Making Immersive Audio Simple

Van der Linden notes that integrating L-ISA technology was relatively straightforward, thanks to L-Acoustics’ first-class training and support throughout the process. “A visiting FOH engineer told me that L-ISA was easy to program, and the production team was pleased with the results,” he says. “The common perception is that implementing immersive technology is complicated, but this project shows how simple it can be. The AFAS Theater team was eager to learn and picked it up very quickly.”

“The synergy between this L2 L-ISA system and a venue so focused on technological innovation is clearly evident. It’s a perfect combination that enables AFAS Theater to continue expanding and diversifying its offerings. Everyone involved, from engineers to performers, is absolutely thrilled with the performance,” Bril concludes.