Open-air Minack Theatre Updates with RCF Weatherproof Systems

Simon Hutchings, the Minack’s Technical Manager, knew that the existing system, in use for over 25 years, was delivering diminishing audio quality for the theater’s wide range of musical and theatrical performances. He turned to Stage Electrics, reinforcing a partnership that has lasted for many years, to find a new system that would ensure the theater’s patrons could enjoy a higher-quality audio experience.

“When we made the inevitable decision to replace our performance speaker system at the Minack, we were always going to call Stage Electrics. Having worked with them for over 15 years, we knew they’d give us the best price, without needing to haggle.” said Hutchings. "We trusted the products Stage Electrics recommended would be right for us. So, with the combination of price and quality of solution, Stage Electrics offered by far the best value. Their customer service is impeccable, the whole process ran smoothly without any major hiccups. Which considering we started during lockdown is quite something!’

The Minack’s new system consists of 20 RCF MQ80P’s, 23 RCF P3108’s and 2 RCF P8105S weatherproof subwoofers, along with spare units for immediate support. In just a week, the team replaced every loudspeaker, repaired or replaced weathered rigging and electrical connections and commissioned the new system to deliver significantly improved audio to every seat in the theater.

RCF P Series was the best choice for its superior musical reproduction, clear speech delivery and high IP rating. All P Series models include stainless steel bracketry, powder-coated aluminum grilles, and water-repellent and UV-protected materials, making them the obvious choice for the challenging marine environment at the Minack. The series includes coaxial, point and line source loudspeakers, and subwoofers, all housed in IP55 rotomoulded cabinets with stainless bracketry. For areas that were difficult to cover, the Minack installed RCF MQ80P’s which offer wide dispersion and a small footprint, while still meeting the venue's weatherproof requirements. Two-way P3108’s, distributed evenly around the venue, feature high-powered 8” woofers and 1-inch compression drivers, delivering high SPL from a small cabinet. P8015S 15” subwoofers provide low-frequency support. 

Tom Martin from RCF added, "It was exciting for RCF to be chosen for such a prestigious venue such as the Minack. The venue holds a multitude of events over the year and is naturally stunning, so it needed an audio solution to match. I was absolutely confident of the P series’ ability to deliver on this and going by reviews since the installation, it is exceeding expectations. Ordinarily, it isn’t an easy task for a highly weatherproof solution such as this to match the capability of a conventional system, especially over time in an extremely harsh environment but the P Series has met and exceeded that demand."

A year after the installation, the RCF system continues to withstand the elements, with no units failing. The system consistently delivers exceptional audio quality, much to the delight of patrons and industry professionals.