The need for a reliable, high-performance audio system was established during the recent restoration of the historic Goss Opera House in Watertown, South Dakota. After auditioning multiple loudspeaker brands within the space, venue management chose RCF’s HDL line array system as the clear winner. The Italian-engineered HDL Series, known globally for its superior sound quality and operational efficiency, offered an unparalleled blend of power, clarity, and adaptability that was well suited to the building’s unique acoustics.
Originally constructed in 1889, the Goss Opera House has been a local icon for well over a century. Following an extensive $5 million dollar renovation project led by local landmarks society Friends of the Goss, the opera house has been transformed into a state-of-the-art entertainment venue.
After benchmarking against competing systems within the venue, the RCF HDL system was praised for its “much cleaner sound” as noted by Chris Paulson, Entertainment Director at the Goss Opera House. “There was more clarity on the mids and high-end […] we were quickly impressed.” Chris also highlighted that the RCF system “complements the natural acoustics of a room,” an essential factor considering the opera house’s historic architecture.
The installation, guided by Jeff Engen from Audio Connections, had to address unique challenges given the venue’s inherent acoustics and diverse event roster, as Jeff emphasizes:
“The space itself has great natural acoustics for orchestras and opera, but for live music and playback, under the original tin roof, we knew we needed a good quality line array system to focus sound where we needed it to be. We knew that the Goss was planning on bringing more than plays and operas and that they needed a system that was going to handle all of it. The HDL system rocks.”
The system design incorporates 12 x HDL 30-A (6-a-side), 2 x dual 18” SUB 9006-AS subwoofers beneath the stage, 3 x HDL 6-A for front fills, and 2 x C 3108-126 units for side fill under the balcony. Equipped with RCF’s cutting-edge technology, these modules work to provide a detailed dynamic range, high vocal clarity, and solid low-end reproduction.
Since the re-opening of the Goss Opera House, the venue has attracted talent from local, national, and international acts- including Killer Queen (the international touring Queen tribute band), alt-rock outfit Soul Asylum, and The Silhouettes alongside theatrical productions and charity events. The site even served as a backdrop for an episode of the HBO documentary series ‘We’re Here.’
The Goss Opera House, paired with the HDL Series- itself graced with RCF’s 70+ years of heritage in the world of audio hardware- represents a unique marriage of history. This union not only serves to enhance the cultural heritage of the venue, but also ensures a memorable, high-quality entertainment experience for its patrons.
