The spectacular Glyndebourne Opera House in the Sussex South Downs recently chose Brighton’s MBI Sound & Light to install an infra-red Sennheiser system, allowing hard of hearing patrons to enjoy performances with utmost clarity. To ensure every one of the 1,202 seats in Glyndebourne’s impressive auditorium is covered by the Sennheiser system six strategically placed SZI 1015 radiators transmit the audio signal to four RI 150 LL induction loops and ten HDI 302 headsets. The signal is generated from a Sennheiser SI 1015 modulator rack unit, while the induction loops and headsets are powered by an L 151-10 charger. In addition, an SI 30 test system is available to demonstrate the simplicity of the system to users before they take headsets and induction loops for the performance.

Audio Technician Simon Yapp has worked at Glyndebourne for eight years and is one half of the opera house’s full time AV department.

“The new system can cope with the different frequencies from fluorescent lighting,” he explains. “On top of that, it’s a two-channel or a stereo system. It can be run with an audio soundtrack of the show on one of the channels, and then the other channel can have an audio description of what’s happening on stage for blind or partially sighted audience members. Or you can run the whole system in stereo. Up to this point, there wasn’t a stereo infra-red system available.”

On top of the technical advantages of the Sennheiser system, the simplicity and discreet nature of the products made them ideal for the opera environment.

“Aesthetics are important,” insists Yapp. “The audience doesn’t want headphones to go over their heads. And anything with a cable is also confusing. The Sennheiser receivers go under the neck. They’re very discreet, and there are no cables. There are no switches. You turn it on and it’s working. The infra-red faces forward and you’d think that when you turned away it would cut out. But actually it’s incredibly resilient.

“When you come to Glyndebourne you expect a certain high level of performance and quality. That’s what the Sennheiser products deliver. People absolutely love the hearing system. The feedback is always very good.”

Although the equipment is resilient, reliable and easy to operate, Yapp still appreciates that in the event that they’re needed, a Sennheiser representative is always at the end of a phone.