When Eaglemont Christian Church in Beaumont, Alberta, recently embarked on an ambitious expansion project, audio quality was high on the list of priorities. With a growing congregation and a vision to create a purpose-built sanctuary, the church leadership wanted clear, natural sound for both worship and spoken word. The project brought together several key players, including Comtec Associates Ltd. as the consultant, dbi Systems Integration as the AV integrator, and Contact Distribution as the supplier. Central to the audio solution was British manufacturer EM Acoustics, whose loudspeakers were chosen for clarity of voicing, consistency, and compact design.
“A group of us from Eaglemont Church visited other facilities in the greater Edmonton area to listen to a few installations showcasing other audio systems,” recalls David Cacka, co-lead of audio at Eaglemont Church. “Whilst those other loudspeaker systems were certainly capable and a definite upgrade in terms of clarity and intelligibility, their application in our new facility ultimately lacked the natural, open voicing qualities of the EM Acoustics R10, and the very even sound field coverage of the Reference Series.”
The audio installation at Eaglemont Church unfolded in two phases. The first focused on the gymnasium, which functioned as a temporary sanctuary during the construction of the new auditorium. This space required an adaptable sound system that could support full worship services in a reverberant, acoustically challenging environment. The second phase was the realisation of a new, dedicated sanctuary auditorium, along with several multipurpose spaces and meeting rooms designed to support a variety of ministries and community functions.
“The design was developed by Comtec Associates, and we were fortunate to be awarded the project through the tender process,” says Jordan Van Dyke of dbi Systems Integration. “From the beginning, it was clear that the church wanted high-performance and reliability, and that meant EM Acoustics was a natural fit.”
“Through EASE modelling and simulation for evaluation, the EM Acoustics R10s demonstrated impressive coverage consistency and pattern control in a less-than-ideal acoustic environment,” recalls Lance Spratt of Comtec Associates. “The boxes exhibited good mid-band pattern control, and the simulations indicated that interactions between boxes were well behaved. As a result of the simulation outcomes, EM Acoustics’ R10s were approved for inclusion as a viable solution.”
In the gymnasium, two EM Acoustics R10 loudspeakers are deployed as the main PA system, complemented by an S-218 dual 18" subwoofer for extended low-frequency support. A DQ20 DSP amplifier powered the system. This temporary sanctuary setup not only served the church during construction but also doubled as a proof of concept for the larger installation to come.
“With the positive experience gained from the Eaglemont Church Gymnasium project, it was a natural choice to consider EM Acoustics for the new auditorium build, maintaining consistency in product selection throughout the venue,” continues Spratt. “The auditorium’s wide fan layout and upper balcony necessitated a comprehensive design approach. When modelled using Reference series and EMS series products through various iterations, the simulations once again instilled confidence to proceed with EM Acoustics products as the preferred installation solution.”
The main Auditorium loudspeaker system consists of four R10 loudspeakers to provide even audio coverage throughout the room, supplemented by five smaller EMS-61 loudspeakers deployed as balcony fills for consistency across all seating zones. A single ST-218 subwoofer delivers low-frequency content, and two DQ20D DSP amplifiers with Dante onboard are designed for powerful and flexible system control.
“The R10s gave us that perfect combination of form and function,” says Van Dyke. “The loudspeakers are compact, which helped a lot given the low ceiling height and crowded rigging space, but they still deliver tremendous output and good pattern control. Plus, the rigging hardware made installation convenient.”
The sanctuary auditorium’s architecture posed notable challenges. The relatively low ceiling heights, combined with extensive HVAC systems, acoustic panels and stage lighting infrastructure, left limited real estate for loudspeaker placement. Here, Van Dyke says, the compact footprint and precise coverage patterns of the EM Acoustics products proved indispensable.
“There just wasn’t a lot of room to work with,” continues Van Dyke. “But the EM products are remarkably small for what they deliver. That let us position everything exactly where it needed to be without compromising sound quality or visual aesthetics.”
Cacka echoes this sentiment, “Comtec Associates created EASE models for multiple loudspeaker systems, but the R10s stood out not just in simulations, but also in the real-world demos we attended. The voicing was so open and natural.”
For the congregation, the experience is designed to be intelligible and immersive with vibrant music and clear speech. For the volunteer technical team, the consistency and reliability of the system offer peace of mind.
“The result is a great sounding space with minimal visual impact,” confirms Van Dyke. “We’ve had many compliments on the room acoustics and loudspeaker system, from local choir directors using the auditorium for a cappella concerts, to other FOH engineers visiting us for a Sunday service on their summer holidays,” remarks Cacka. “The overall sound system is fun to use and excellent to train new sound volunteers.”
As Eaglemont Church continues to grow and serve its community, the new audio system will remain a key tool in its spiritual and cultural mission.
