A former cinema is reborn as a theatre with sound by KV2 Audio

At the foothills of the High Tatra Mountains in Slovakia, architectural studio Ateliér zerozero has transformed the former Kino Maj cinema, located in Vel’ká, one of Poprad’s oldest quarters, into a modern theatre.

Now Divadlo Poprad, this independent theatre answers a long-standing local demand for a permanent theatre space in the city. Collaborating with writers, directors, set designers and musicians from Slovakia and beyond, Divadlo Poprad has its own in-house acting ensemble and offers a year-round programme of shows for families, adults, children and schools.

To complement the venue’s extensive architectural transformation and diverse programme, a KV2 Audio system was chosen to provide the theatre with its new sound system.

When defining the audio requirements for Divadlo Poprad, the objectives were clear: exceptional speech intelligibility, accurate musical reproduction and even coverage throughout the venue. The theatre comprises three performance areas: the 164-seat Main Auditorium, the 76-capacity Studio and an outdoor Summer Stage with 100-seat capacity.

The theatre has a huge production programme throughout the year, as well as cultural events and club-style performances hosted in the Studio. When it came to the sound system, we knew it needed to be able to accommodate a wide variety of events and performances while ensuring audiences enjoyed the same quality of experience regardless of where they were seated, explains Eduard Fertáľ, External Sound Consultant at the theatre.

"I have had the opportunity to use KV2 Audio systems in many different applications, and they have never disappointed me", says Fertáľ. KV2 Audio’s portfolio of point-source systems is designed to handle wide dynamic ranges while delivering precise coverage and reliable performance, making them suitable for demanding theatre and live performance venues.

"Ever since my first experience with KV2, I have considered it a solution capable of handling virtually any environment. Perhaps the most unusual test was using their EX10 system to reinforce a live rock band in the courtyard of Kežmarok Castle. The impressive number of installations and references around the world has only reinforced my conviction".

This previous experience led to the Czech manufacturer being chosen to provide Divadlo Poprad with the sound system it needed. Slovak distributor Audio Production s.r.o. helped identify the most suitable solution for each space, resulting in a tailored system combining KV2’s EX, ESR, ESD and VHD series to meet the theatre’s varied acoustic and operational requirements.

These systems are designed to deliver high-quality music playback during live performances, making them ideal for theatres of this size. We handled the system design and configuration, while the physical installation was carried out by Art Lighting Production s.r.o., explains Alex Molcanov, Owner of Audio Production s.r.o.

In the Main Auditorium, the system comprises two ESR215MkII three-way full-range loudspeakers positioned on either side of the stage and powered by an ESR3000D amplifier. Their wide horizontal dispersion provides consistent coverage across the audience area, ensuring spectators experience the same clarity regardless of their position.

Four VHD4.18 subwoofers, driven by a VHD3200D amplifier, extend the system’s low-frequency performance, providing the power and impact required for musical performances and theatrical effects. Their compact footprint optimises space and allows all four cabinets to be stacked together.

To complement the main system, three EX26 systems are positioned at the front of the stage to provide additional vocal reinforcement and more focused coverage, particularly for concerts and larger productions. Two ultra-compact EX6 loudspeakers are used as near-field monitors in the control booth, allowing the technical team to monitor performances accurately. To complete the coverage, two ESD10 passive two-way loudspeakers are used as side fills, powered by an ESP2000D amplifier to maintain consistency throughout the system.

The Studio, used for club-style concerts and cultural events, features two EX12 active loudspeaker systems as the main left and right outputs, delivering balanced and accurate sound in a compact format.

"The outdoor Summer Stage uses a similar setup, with two EX12 loudspeakers and EX1.8 active subwoofers providing additional low-frequency impact for live music events", adds Molcanov. "The loudspeaker cabinets are portable, allowing the EX1.8s to be moved between the Studio and the outdoor stage depending on where productions are taking place, enabling the systems to be adapted to each event".

The different stages share eight compact EX10 full-range loudspeaker systems, providing a flexible solution that can be deployed as stage monitors, fills or additional coverage as required.

"Their compact size makes them easy to transport, giving the theatre the ability to scale the configuration of each area up or down according to the requirements of each show", explains Molcanov.

Throughout the theatre, the technical team also uses eight KV2 JK Series DI boxes —four JK1s, two JK2s and two JKAs— to provide clean signal management with high headroom and low output impedance, helping maintain signal quality throughout the venue.

Combined with the building’s architecture and the work of its acting ensemble and technical crew, the KV2 sound system completes the renovation of Divadlo Poprad. "The result has been remarkable", says Fertáľ. "The sound is precise and articulate, with every instrument clearly defined, vocals sitting right at the forefront, and excellent dynamics throughout the performance".

During the theatre’s opening gala, the acclaimed Polish MozART Group, an internationally recognised performance group, was the first to use the system.

The sound engineers thanked us for the sound quality and told us how surprised they were by its clarity and performance. One of the most satisfying things for me is watching the people who work at the theatre discover, with their own ears, that there is something special about the way the system sounds. I would say KV2 has not simply met my expectations, but exceeded them by a considerable margin, explains Fertáľ.