Christ Covenant Church staff and attendees now enjoy the results of a major audio upgrade in the uniquely shaped worship center. After selecting Eastern Acoustic Works’ (EAW) AC6 Adaptive Column Loudspeakers and Otto Subwoofers the congregation is experiencing more consistent, high‑clarity coverage across the entire sanctuary. The installation, designed and integrated by Remote Production Group, marks the culmination of a multi‑year modernization effort led by Tech Director Alexander Guadagno, A1 Audio Engineer and Advisor Michael Seaman, and Rigging/Fabrication Specialist David Rasnake.
The Knoxville, Tennessee church’s worship space, a vaulted diamond‑shaped room with challenging acoustics, had long struggled with uneven coverage, harshness and significant low‑frequency inconsistencies. “We tried treating the room acoustically with large acoustic panels up high, down low, everywhere that made sense,” says Seaman. “It got us somewhere, but not where we wanted to be.”
The turning point came when Guadagno and Seaman attended an EAW loudspeaker demo at a local community college. “We were really blown away by the speakers and the ability to direct the sound off of unwanted surfaces,” Seaman recalls. “It was very clear we wanted the AC6.”
The AC6 provided various key benefits, essential for Christ Covenant’s structural constraints. “Our roof structure didn’t give us the ability to rig a heavier scenario,” Seaman explains. “The lightweight design of the AC6, its directional control and low‑profile design all made the decision an easy one.”
The final system design features four EAW AC6 Adaptive column loudspeakers deployed as two vertical columns of two cabinets each, flown at 15 feet, 9¼ inches from the stage deck to the bottom cabinet and finished in white to blend seamlessly into the worship environment. Between the two AC6 columns, Remote Production Group installed a pair Otto subwoofers in a center mono configuration to resolve the severe low‑frequency nodes and anti‑nodes caused by the church’s previous under‑stage sub placement. This configuration allowed the team to achieve even, controlled coverage throughout the uniquely shaped sanctuary while working within the constraints of the existing ceiling beams and cloud structure.
The improvement was felt instantly by both leadership and congregants. “We’ve gotten nothing but compliments,” Guadagno shares. “People are saying they’re able to hear instruments they’ve never been able to hear before. There’s a lot more clarity in our worship.”
Before the upgrade, the church received 10–12 complaints per month, often related to harshness or discomfort. “We were getting complaints at only 80–85 dB SPL,” Seaman says. “It wasn’t loud, and the sound quality was harsh. With the new system, that has changed entirely. Now we’re able to run 85 to 90 dB with a very clear, even sound.”
The visual impact has also been well‑received. “Congregants love the new look of the speakers,” Guadagno says. “The white finish really complements the room.”
The church also streams services to YouTube, supported by a recent upgrade to a Waves LV1 system and new DPA microphones. Beyond weekly services, Christ Covenant hosts a large annual VBS program with theatrical elements and has previously welcomed touring artists. “We’ve talked about doing that again,” Guadagno says. “We’re in a better place now to accommodate that.”
For Christ Covenant, Seaman says the EAW installation represents the final step in a long‑term modernization effort and a dramatic leap forward in audio quality. “We were able to get our ideal system installed,” he concludes. “We’re very, very happy with it.”
For more information, visit www.eaw.com.
