XLR equips OM with an L-Acoustics K3 system capable of bringing the power, coverage and performance of a major festival to Wallonia’s leading concert venue.
Located in Seraing, on the banks of the River Meuse near Liège, Belgium, OM has established itself as Wallonia’s largest concert venue since opening in 2023. Built in 1948 as a social hall for workers at the historic Cockerill steel complex, the building has been transformed into a 1,700-capacity venue that combines its industrial heritage with a programme spanning genres as diverse as metal, jazz, techno and hip-hop.
The technical challenge extended beyond delivering high sound pressure levels. The venue needed to provide an experience comparable to that of a major festival, with consistent coverage and full-bandwidth reproduction, without compromising the room’s visual character through oversized loudspeaker structures or extensive subwoofer deployments.
To address the project, OM appointed L-Acoustics Certified Provider XLR, which proposed an installation based around the L-Acoustics K3 system.
A system designed for multiple production formats
Louis Lukusa, CEO of XLR, explains that the objective was to develop an installation capable of supporting a wide range of productions, from acoustic concerts to high-energy shows with demanding SPL requirements.
According to Lukusa, K3 represented the most suitable solution thanks to its ability to deliver full-range performance in a particularly compact format. Its low-frequency extension reduces reliance on large subwoofer configurations, an especially valuable feature in a mid-sized venue where the visual impact of the system was also an important consideration.
Another decisive factor was the widespread acceptance of L-Acoustics on international technical riders, making it easier to accommodate touring productions already familiar with the system’s performance.
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OM’s management also highlights the importance of delivering sound quality capable of meeting the expectations of both artists and engineers. Previous experience with other systems from the manufacturer contributed to the decision to specify K3 for the venue.
Full coverage without delay systems
The configuration was designed using L-Acoustics Soundvision, enabling the project team to model the acoustic behaviour of a building with a particularly challenging architectural layout before installation began.
The main system comprises two arrays of eight K3 per side, providing coverage across the entire audience area without the need for delay loudspeakers. According to XLR, the design achieves an approximate 3 dB distribution across the audience area together with a high degree of acoustic consistency.
Low-frequency reinforcement is provided by four KS28 subwoofers per side, flown alongside the main arrays rather than ground-stacked. This configuration supports a more even distribution of low frequencies, keeps the stage area clear and is particularly well suited to electronic music events, where stereo bass imaging plays a more significant role.
Coverage for the front rows is completed by two X12 loudspeakers used as in-fills and four A10 Wide units deployed as front-fills, ensuring consistent performance from the front row to the rear of the venue. The system is powered and controlled by six LA12X amplified controllers.
A commitment to sound quality
Following the first months of operation, OM identifies the precision of the system as one of its main advantages, particularly in a venue whose architecture presents the acoustic challenges associated with a converted historic building.
Feedback from artists and touring crews has also been positive, supported by the familiarity of a platform widely used across international productions. For the venue, this combination of sound quality, consistent coverage and compatibility with established touring requirements strengthens its position as one of Wallonia’s leading live music destinations.
