Concept Associates and Integrated Audio Visual Sdn Bhd have deployed 43 Powersoft Quattrocanali and Mezzo amplifiers at the Penang Waterfront Convention Centre (PWCC), Northern Malaysia’s largest MICE venue, with native Dante over the venue’s Cisco backbone.
PWCC spans 10,443 square metres within a waterfront development on the island of Penang. Its column-free multipurpose hall accommodates up to 10,000 guests across 7,318 sqm, complemented by ten meeting rooms, a waterfront terrace for up to 2,000 guests and a grand arrival hall.
The challenge
The audio system had to integrate fully with PWCC’s ICT backbone, supporting Dante alongside AVoIP devices, network amplifiers and control systems under strict requirements for network stability, bandwidth and cybersecurity. Speech intelligibility and consistent coverage were also needed across large, divisible halls whose layouts change from one booking to the next, all managed from a central platform without adding complexity for venue staff.
The amplification
AV consultant IHDesign Sdn Bhd specified a Powersoft platform, with Concept Associates supplying the hardware and Integrated Audio Visual Sdn Bhd leading system integration.
24 Quattrocanali DSP+D amplifiers (8 Quattrocanali 1204 DSP+D, 15 Quattrocanali 2404 DSP+D and 1 Quattrocanali 4804 DSP+D) drive the exhibition halls, concourses and public areas. 19 Mezzo AD amplifiers (18 Mezzo 602 AD and 1 Mezzo 322 AD) serve the meeting rooms and VIP spaces.
The Mezzo’s compact, mountable format allows it to sit close to the loudspeakers without a dedicated rack.
One converged network
All 43 amplifiers carry native Dante and share the Cisco C1300 backbone with the venue’s IT and control infrastructure. Allen & Heath Dante I/O interfaces handle the handoff between the QSC DSP platform and the amplifier network, while Crestron AVoIP and control systems manage room switching, signal distribution and real-time monitoring of the amplifiers. Audio routing, DSP, amplifier control and remote diagnostics all run without a separate audio network or point-to-point cabling.
Quattrocanali supports both low-impedance loads and 70 V/100 V distributed lines, so different architectures can be used across zones with a single amplifier family. Smart Rails Management (SRM) optimises power draw to the actual load, reducing heat and removing the need for external cooling at amplifier level. In mission-critical areas, the UPS-compatible power supply allows integration with life safety systems such as fire alarms.
Monitoring, DSP adjustments and routing changes can be made remotely through Crestron and Powersoft’s ArmoníaPlus, without technicians in the rack room, which eases complex event changeovers.
At this scale, the priority is creating a future-proof network without the clutter of traditional racks. Powersoft’s high-density Quattrocanali and Mezzo platforms allowed us to deliver massive power and sophisticated DSP over a single converged ICT infrastructure, giving PWCC total flexibility for any event configuration, says Sandhi Soong, senior sales manager at Integrated Audio Visual Sdn Bhd.
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