O2 Academy Brixton upgrades sound system

Iconic London music venue, the O2 Academy Brixton, has upgraded its audio system, installing a permanent L-Acoustics K Series professional sound system. The Grade II listed building features a unique 140-foot domed ceiling, Art Deco interior, posed specific challenges when it came to installation.

After extensive consultations with touring sound engineers and meticulous room modelling, Academy Music Group partnered with Adlib to install a sophisticated L-Acoustics K1 concert sound system. This innovative design not only ensures world-class audio for O2 Academy Brixton’s diverse schedule, but radically streamlines tour setups.

"L-Acoustics was the ideal choice for its rider-friendly reputation, superior sound quality, and reliability," says Rob Crossland, Installation Project Manager at Adlib. "L-Acoustics Soundvision modelling software was instrumental, allowing us to create an optimal design that overcomes the room's unique challenges."

“The major question in the system design was to keep acoustic energy off the deep, flat front of the raked balcony. We overcame this by creating an array with L-Acoustics K1-SB halfway down, allowing us to maintain pattern control of the LF while avoiding mid/high frequency reflections on stage, resulting in a very clean sound,” adds Crossland.

The L-Acoustics setup includes dual hangs of four K1-SB, eight K1 and three K2 per side. 16 KS28 subwoofers are ground-stacked on the stage eight per side in four stacks of four. Four A10 Focus are placed across the stage lip to provide front-fill. An additional two A15 Focus per side increase imaging for those stood towards the front. Under balcony fill is catered to by two X8 coaxial loudspeakers and ten A10i Wide. LA12X and LA4X amplified controllers, driven by P1 processors, provide ample power and seamless system management.

"O2 Academy Brixton is one of the world’s most prestigious venues and the new L-Acoustics system elevates our audio capabilities to meet the highest standards expected in touring” says Steve Hoyland, Chief Operating Officer at Academy User Group. “Our objective was to have a system that is respected amongst industry professionals to deliver the best-in-class audio, and the K1 does exactly that.”