d&b KSL creates clarity for audience at Uppsala Konsert and Kongress.
Inaugurated in 2007, Sweden’s Uppsala Konsert & Kongress (UKK) is now one of the most vibrant cultural centres in Scandinavia. The venue hosts everything from classical symphony concerts, to folk, jazz, and rock bands as well as musicals and children’s shows. Designed by award-winning Danish architects the building is a striking split crystalline monolith that rises eight storeys above Vaksala Square in central Uppsala. Internally the building is every bit as impressive with a genuinely multi-functional design. The jewel in the crown of UKK is the 1,150 seater Grand Hall, situated on the sixth floor to maximize available space. Developed in close collaboration between architects, engineers, and acoustic consultants, the result is an unconventional concert hall with exceptional acoustics.
UKK’s Technical Director and renowned sound engineer, Hans’ Surte’ Norin, has been part of the story from the very beginning. When Norin specified the first system back in 2007, he was already an experienced d&b user. He decided – with the help of d&b distributor, Arva Trading – that a Q-Series system was the right choice for the Grand Hall. “It was a world-class system in its day and has served us incredibly well over the years. However, technology has developed considerably since then, and the time came for us to upgrade,” states Norin.
“Our basic requirements haven’t changed” he adds, “We still host a huge variety of music in the concert hall. Such a wide range of styles and genres means that it’s important to keep up with technological developments. We must remain at the forefront of what we do. It’s also true to say that audiences today are more demanding than they were in the past. We have a duty to ourselves and our public to ensure that our facilities remain world-class. Last year we invested heavily in projectors and lighting - this year, our focus was on audio.”
Norin tried out several systems from different manufacturers, including the V-Series from d&b, before finally deciding on KSL. “I’ve kept an eye on d&b product developments over the years, so when they announced the KSL System, obviously it caught my attention,” he recalls. “I was fortunate to be invited to the launch of the system in Germany. d&b and Arva Trading then made an effort to bring the system over so that we could try it out in situ in the Great Hall. The results were just stunning.”
“For me, KSL represents a new generation of loudspeaker systems. Every single parameter is better than anything else I have heard to date,” affirms Norin. “With KSL, d&b has taken everything back to the drawing board and started at the beginning – that means effect on overall system intelligibility; the system sounds louder than it really is, simply because everything is so clear. As a result, audience listening comfort has increased while SPL levels actually decrease.”
“I’m immensely proud to say that we have the very first installed KSL System in Europe. It underlines our philosophy of leading from the front and investing in the future. I’m very excited to be presenting the coming season with such an amazing sounding system that I know will continue to impress audiences for many years to come.”
