Visioneering Design specifies Sommer Cable for Atmos installs

Visioneering Design has specified Sommer Cable for its recent installations featuring Meyer Sound cinema systems and powered surround speakers equipped with IntelligentDC technology for use with Dolby Atmos.

One particular application involved fitting Meyer Sound MINA line array loudspeakers for the new 4K cinema at the former Jay Leno Stage in Burbank, California.

"Our challenge on this project was to install a cinema experience in a large live venue in a former soundstage. The specification was to be Dolby Atmos 4K/3D, with full-blown projection suitable for premieres and red carpet showings," said Visioneering’s Ron Lagerlof (pictured, left alongside Andy Potvin of Dolby). "It was pretty obvious that we weren’t going to be able to do the standard theatrical installation."

The line arrays are configured as five screen channels – left, centre, right, left extra and right extra – situated behind the largest roll-down screen that Stewart Filmscreen has built to date, with a 45ft-wide x 25ft-tall viewing area. The MINA’s are separate from the sound system installed specifically for live performance.

Lagerlof continued: "The newer speakers that Meyer Sound has been developing use what they call IntelligentDC technology. Each speaker has its own built-in amplifier, but unlike most other self-powered speakers that need 110 line voltage from the wall, these speakers take 48 volts from an external power supply.

"It is very important with this IntelligentDC system to have a cable that is able to get power and audio in the same jacket and not have interference from the voltage side into the audio side. Sommer Cable has been making cable for a number of years that does this, and it’s similar to a cable that’s used a lot in lighting or control systems, but it has a heavier gauge power conductor."

Sommer’s Monolith Power/DMX cable, which was chosen for this project, is shielded by a tinned helical copper mesh. Both the power cable and the balanced pairs have their own jackets for extra safety and easy wiring for DMX controlled lights, powered speakers, and other devices that require power and analogue or digital audio feeds. Sommer’s Kolorith cable was specially designed to fit the EN3 Switchcraft connector for the IntelligentDC technology loudspeaker series from Meyer Sound, transmitting audio and power in one cable.

The Meyer MPS-488HP IntelligentDC power supplies are more than 150 feet from the speakers and the heavier gauge Sommer Cable allows for the longer runs necessary, with enough power to handle the Atmos peak levels.

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