In September 2024, Harvest Christian Fellowship Church in Riverside, California, began an ambitious audio upgrade to enhance its outdoor amphitheater's sound quality. After 23 years of using an older point source system, the church’s leadership aimed to create a sound experience that could support various events, from Sunday services to seasonal celebrations.
The church narrowed down options with system engineer Brian Bauer and then reached out to Evan Hamilton at E2i Design for guidance. Together, they identified the K-array Firenze KH7 system as their solution.
"As we approached the installation of our new audio system, we explored many options. Given the awkward layout of our courtyard, we realized that a standard line array would not meet our needs. Our former system engineer, Brian Bauer, suggested considering a column array instead. After conducting some research on the K-array KH7 column array, we reached out to E2I for assistance with the design and installation of the new system,” says Bryan Goode, Production Supervisor at Harvest Christian Fellowship.
The new setup includes five Firenze-KH7 speakers with electronic beam steering (EBS) and two Firenze-KS7 subwoofers with advanced bass control. “Chosen for its ability to provide consistent, immersive sound across expansive outdoor spaces, the Firenze system's precise, independent control of each array element minimizes noise pollution and ensures continuous and even coverage throughout the amphitheater. With its compact design, the system delivers instant sound projection without resonance, making it particularly suited to the open-air environment,” according to K-Array's announcement.
Designed to withstand harsh outdoor elements, Goode says the KH7 speaker system was an ideal choice for the permanent setup at Harvest Christian Fellowship. The administrative team was thrilled with the results, especially after the system’s debut during a Sunday service.
"After using the new system for our first Sunday morning service, everyone was amazed at how good it sounded and the clarity it provided. Our admin team was very happy with the outcome of the new system and thrilled with its performance," Goode adds. "I am excited about the various events where we will be using this sound system. We have a wide range of activities, including Sunday Morning services, worship nights, movie screenings, our annual tree lighting, as well as Christmas and Easter celebrations. This sound system will meet all of our needs perfectly."
The new system promises to enhance the church's services and many annual events. K-array's Firenze system is designed to address multipurpose acoustic environments, particularly in outdoor settings. This project highlights the technical capabilities of the K-array products as well as the importance of tailored audio solutions for modern church settings.
