Tokyo’s Sumida Triphony Hall Expands Programming Capacity with L-Acoustics Kara II Professional Sound System Tokyo’s Sumida Triphony Hall Expands Programming Capacity with L-Acoustics...
Yamaha Sound System Corporation designs and installs L-Acoustics Kara II-based professional sound system, encouraging flexible musical programming and efficient operation by in-house Sigma Communications engineers
TOKYO, Japan – December 2024 — Opened in 1997, Sumida Triphony Hall stands as a cornerstone of Tokyo’s Sumida Ward “Music City Concept” initiative. Designed by Nikken Sekkei, this architecturally distinctive venue features two performance spaces dedicated to classical music. Its name, “Triphony,” was coined to symbolise the essential trinity of audience, artists, and hall. The venue serves as home to the New Japan Philharmonic Orchestra and hosts diverse programming from classical performances to jazz concerts and traditional rakugo storytelling.
Boasting ideal acoustics attributed to initial work by Nagata Acoustics, the Hall has been undergoing scheduled annual repairs, culminating in a large-scale renovation focused on a professional PA system upgrade earlier this year.
While the Hall’s 2-second reverberation time creates ideal acoustics for unplugged performances, it presented challenges when amplification was required. According to Haruka Kurokawa, Sound Operator at Sigma Communications, which manages the Hall’s audio operations, the aging point source speaker system struggled with coverage and clarity.
“When we increased volume to reach the upper balconies, the sound became harsh for listeners in the front rows,” explains Kurokawa. “The hall’s reverberant characteristics also made feedback a constant concern, making it difficult to achieve both balance and clarity in the mix.”
“We chose Kara II because it’s proven successful in venues similar to Sumida Triphony,” explains Takashi Fujii of the Sumida Cultural Promotion Foundation, which oversees the hall’s upgrades. “Our confidence was further reinforced by YSS’s proposal, given their extensive experience with music halls across Japan.”
The team at Yamaha Sound System Corporation (YSS) designed and installed a main L/R system of six L-Acoustics Kara II complemented by two SB18 subwoofers per side. One L-Acoustics X12 per side provide in-fill, while four X8 boxes are positioned across the front of the stage as front-fill. Pole-mounted X8 speakers cover each side of the second-floor balcony. Performers rely on two X12 speakers for on-stage monitoring. Eight LA4X amplified controllers drive the entire system.
Tomoyuki Miura, Chief Sound Operator at Sigma Communications, notes: “The new L-Acoustics line array professional sound system will reduce production costs and allow for more efficient technical planning, as visiting sound teams can now rely on our in-house system.”
The new system acquired from L-Acoustics Certified Provider Distributor Bestec Audio, has exceeded expectations, earning praise from performers across genres. The Hall’s regular MC immediately noticed the improvement in sound quality, noting that the transparent amplification makes his presentations effortless. Similarly, artists using the X12 stage monitors have reported that the clarity has enhanced their overall performance.
According to Kentaro Kawashima, who manages musical programming for the Sumida Cultural Promotion Foundation, the Hall’s enhanced acoustic capabilities have significantly expanded their programming options. “The system’s precision allows us to achieve perfect balance even with delicate instruments, opening doors to performances that were previously challenging to present here,” explains Kawashima. “This sonic flexibility means we can now accommodate a much broader range of musical genres.”
For more information on the Sumida Triphony Hall, please visit www.triphony.com
Learn more about Yamaha Sound System Corporation and Sigma Communications at www.yamaha-ss.co.jp and www.sigma-com.co.jp respectively
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