The iHeartRadio Theatre New York City is the ultimate ticket you can’t get. The
Manhattan venue, the East Coast counterpart to the company’s flagship Los Angeles
venue, regularly hosts a steady stream of A-list music artists, from Mary J Blige and
Ed Sheeran to Muse and Blink-182. When it was deemed that the theatre’s sound
system was not up to par with the best touring systems used by top-notch artists, the
decision was made to install a new L-Acoustics house loudspeaker system in the
intimate, 200-seat space.

With tickets to shows reserved for iHeart’s own subscribers, the bands’ fan clubs and
other exclusive channels, what those fortunate ticketholders experience is a close-up
interaction with some of the best musicians in the world, standing on a stage that’s
barely a foot off the floor, and sharing the show with millions who’ll watch it streamed
live through the iHeartRadio app and the more than 850 iHeartRadio stations
throughout the country.

Since April, fans at the shows have now been hearing artists through an L-Acoustics
sound system installed by See Factor, a leading New York rental and installed-sound
provider specialising in live clubs and theatres. The new system comprises two hangs
of three ARCS II speakers per side augmented by four KS28 subwoofers under the
stage, all powered by three AVB-enabled LA12X amplified controllers. Three X15HiQ
coaxial loudspeakers are used as a fill for the theatre’s raised VIP section.

The sound onstage is equally amazing, with eight X12 and four X15HiQ loudspeakers
used as monitors, buttressed by a pair of SB18 subs. The X Series speakers are
powered using a mix of LA8 and LA4X amplified controllers.

iHeart’s Technical Director, Stephen Wyker, says the previous sound system had been
the iHeartRadio Theater’s weak point since it opened in 2008. “When you look at the
calibre of artists that are performing here regularly, the sound system was not at that
level,’ he says. “Now, it’s like night and day. It’s amazing!’

Wyker previously guided the technology at Webster Hall, another legendary New York
music venue where an L-Acoustics Kara sound system met rider requirements for
artists globally. He says there was never a doubt that L-Acoustics was destined for the
iHeartRadio Theater eventually. “We wanted the performers and the audience to have
the best sound experience possible, and now they do,’ he says. “The fidelity is
incredible.’

The iHeartRadio Theater is not a typical live-music venue—it was designed from the
start as a space to record and stream live shows. That meant the space needed to be
an acoustically controlled environment.

“It’s a pretty dead space, to control reflections and volume,’ Wyker explains. “So, the
sound system has to be able to liven the sound up, and the ARCS II does that
wonderfully. And the bass is fantastic. The ARCS II is full range, so we’d get plenty of
low end from those alone. But when the KS28’s kick in, you can feel the bass.’

What feels best, though, is having a sound system that can handle the venue’s
challenges and meet the expectations of the top-line artists who perform there.
“What’s great is now we have a sound system that’s as good as what these artists
play through at their own shows,’ he says. “And it’s probably the same one they tour
with.’