FELLOWSHIP BIBLE CHURCH ENHANCES MULTI-PURPOSE SPACE WITH MARTIN AUDIO TORUS
Fellowship Bible Church (FBC), located in Sewell, New Jersey, serves hundreds of families across Gloucester County. Its busy programme of worship services, youth activities and community events has recently been enhanced with the installation of a Martin Audio TORUS sound system in its multi-purpose gymnasium.
The gymnasium is one of the church’s most flexible spaces, regularly hosting church gatherings, youth group events, community wellness programmes and live worship. However, its existing sound system was no longer able to meet the demands of the room, prompting Fellowship Bible Church to turn to local AV integrator Starlite to design and install a modern replacement capable of delivering significantly improved clarity and coverage.
“Large, open gymnasium spaces are known for poor acoustics,” says Starlite’s Nick Minieri. “Hard surfaces, exposed structure and high ceilings create reflections that make speech hard to understand and music difficult to control.”
To achieve the consistent coverage required, Starlite specified a Martin Audio TORUS constant curvature line array system, taking advantage of its ability to direct sound towards the audience while minimising energy directed onto the walls and ceiling, where unwanted reflections occur.
We wanted something that would be relatively lightweight and easy to hang"
“The constant curvature design of the TORUS system allows for even coverage across the listening area, which was critical in this space,” says Minieri.
Acoustic treatment also formed an important part of the installation. Impact-resistant absorption panels were installed along the walls, while additional acoustic hardware was used to minimise reflections from the exposed steel roof structure.
Practical installation considerations also influenced the final specification: “We wanted something that would be relatively lightweight and easy to hang, and we wanted it to be passive so we didn’t need to install new electrical boxes.”
The final system comprises two flown hangs, each array featuring 2 x TORUS T1230 and 1 x TORUS T1215 elements, supplemented by a Martin Audio SX218 dual-18in subwoofer. Four Martin Audio CDD15 loudspeakers provide delay coverage while also allowing the space to be configured into multiple audio zones. Power is provided by Martin Audio iKONiK41 amplifiers.
“The CDD paired nicely with the TORUS as delay speakers as their voicing is so similar,” explains Minieri. “But we also used them in a divisible room configuration and a side configuration, giving the space three distinct stereo sound system options depending on how the client wants to use the space.”
The SX218 subwoofer delivers the low-frequency extension required for contemporary worship services and live music performances. “This space is being used as a worship space with a live worship band, so the sub was a must-have to support the bass and kick drum,” Minieri notes.
The completed installation has transformed the gymnasium into a highly capable multi-purpose venue, providing consistent, intelligible audio across a wide variety of applications.
“Fellowship Bible Church now has a gymnasium that functions as a true multi-purpose space,” concludes Minieri. “Speech is clear, music translates well, and events can shift throughout the week without technical limitations getting in the way.”