Parish church AV system embraces community needs

It’s mid-2024, and Creative Audio-Visual Solutions (CAVS) are commissioned to start a major AV upgrade at St Andrew’s Church in Hertford. St Andrew’s is not only a busy church in the heart of Hertford, but is also a popular venue for folk groups and ensembles. The brief for the audio system was to cater effectively for all those requirements at the highest level.

At the front of the nave two JBL Professional CBT-70J array column speakers provide superb speech and music projection, with wide coverage for the side transepts. With narrow vertical dispersion, the CBTs ensure little sound is projected into the ceiling, to reduce echo and maintain clarity. JBL Control 28 speakers were installed down the main body of the church – with smaller Control 25’s in the side aisles and chancel – to provide uniform coverage for all parts of the congregation. Dual compact Electrovoice ELX active 12” subwoofers ensure full-range sound quality. Dynacord amplifiers were employed throughout.

The audio system is managed via an Allen & Heath AHM-32 matrix processor to equalise the building’s acoustics and provide individual speaker optimisation, including delay and parametric EQ. An Allen & Heath SQ5 digital mixer with a remote digital stagebox provides full mixing capabilities, as well as flexible band connection in three locations, allowing for different band configurations. Via Engenius-managed Wi-Fi, an iPAD allows the system to be controlled from anywhere within the church.

Other audio features include Bluetooth music connectivity at the dais and console – for service, wedding and funeral playlists from a phone or other compatible device – and Sennheiser antenna distribution for their current systems, ensuring reliable wireless speech coverage throughout.

The next project was to provide a high-quality visual system, again for church and wider community usage. A Screen International 7m long drop winch allows the 3m screen to be raised and lowered discreetly from the ceiling in front of the chancel arch. An Epson 13,000-lumen laser projector, with 4K enhancement, provides exceptional image quality from the rear of the church, utilising a long-throw lens – at a distance of 22m to the screen.

Iiyama anti-glare IPS displays were installed for further coverage: two 55” versions strategically placed for choir, confidence monitoring and the side aisles and dual 32” providing additional side aisle coverage.

A bespoke console, matching the church décor and providing a tactile control position for two operators, was also installed. Future upgrades will include a streaming system and multi-platform visual production mixer for enhanced AV control both within the church and online.

• For an on-site installation consultation, or for advice on the best systems for your church, call 01707 649355, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., or visit www.cavsolutions.co.uk. Local references are available upon request. Or you can ‘Like’ CAVS on Facebook (Cavsolutions) for the latest installation case studies and product news.