7 February 2025
White Cloth Hall (Leeds) Audio Installation
The White Cloth Hall in Leeds presented unique challenges due to its triangular shape and structural limitations. To address this, custom flying hardware was fabricated onsite for a subwoofer where floor or ceiling mounting was not possible. The audio system features Audac speakers and subwoofers powered by Linea Research amplifiers, with routing and control managed via a Symetrix Prism using wall controllers and a web-based application. CUK Group supplied the Audac and Symetrix equipment, which was installed by Audioserv.
When the operators of Meanwood Tavern and Whitelocks sought an audio system for their newest venue, the White Cloth Hall in Leeds, a site visit was conducted. It quickly became clear that designing a system with minimal compromises would be a challenge and then they approached Audioserv.
First opened in 1775, the red brick Grade II-listed building on Crown Street, just behind Leeds Corn Exchange, has a rich history. The refurbishment has been carefully planned and executed, transforming the space into WCH, an all-day food and drink hall. It is encouraging to see this part of Leeds, which has experienced many closures over the past decade, being revitalized.
The venue’s triangular shape, combined with multiple open areas, made achieving a coherently time-aligned audio system particularly complex. Site design changes along the way impacted speaker placement options and structural limitations.
With Audioserv’s expertise, designing and fabricating custom speaker mounting solutions was straightforward. For WCH, custom flying hardware was fabricated onsite to position a flown subwoofer, ensuring adequate low-frequency coverage in an area where floor placement was not an option and no ceiling structure was available for mounting.
The system features a combination of Audac speakers, including Ateo 4M and 6M, Vexo 108 and 110, and Baso 10 and 12 subwoofers, all powered by amplifiers. Audio routing and client control are managed via a Symetrix Prism, utilizing a combination of wall controllers and Symetrix’s web-based control application.
