Located on the shores of Lake Biwa just 20 minutes from Kyoto, Biwako Hall Center for the Performing Arts in Shiga Prefecture is one of Japan’s most prestigious venues for opera and classical music. With an 1,800-seat main hall and a reputation for acoustic excellence, Biwako Hall continually seeks to push the boundaries of live performance presentation. As part of a long-term commitment to artistic innovation, venue leadership aimed to elevate the auditory experience for audiences across all seating zones while maintaining the hall’s signature clarity and warmth, especially during nuanced classical and operatic performances.
To meet this vision, Biwako Hall became the first theater in Japan to permanently install a SPAT Revolution Wave Field Synthesis immersive audio system. Powered by HARMAN’s FLUX:: technology, SPAT Revolution enables precise spatialization of audio sources by positioning them as objects within a virtual sound field. Sound is then distributed through five main frontal speakers and an array of eight front-fill loudspeakers, delivering the sensation that audio is emanating directly from its source on stage.
The system is managed through a tablet PC interface, allowing engineers to control and fine-tune sound object positioning and acoustics from anywhere in the hall. This flexibility expands the creative capabilities of the venue’s audio team, going beyond traditional FOH console integration and enabling a more immersive, lifelike mixing experience tailored to each performance.
With the addition of SPAT Revolution, Biwako Hall has set a new benchmark for immersive audio in Japan’s live performance industry. The upgraded system enhances both the audience’s sensory experience and the technical precision available to engineers, delivering consistent and localized sound regardless of seat location. “Biwako Hall has long been known as a leader in Japan’s opera and classical music scene, and the addition of SPAT Revolution solidifies its standing as a cutting-edge performance venue,” said Mr. Masahito Oshitani, Audio Technical Manager, Biwako Hall. “This installation not only exemplifies our commitment to immersive sound solutions but also provides audiences with an unparalleled sensory experience, underscoring Biwako Hall’s dedication to artistic excellence.”
The integration highlights the seamless interoperability of HARMAN Professional Solutions’ immersive technologies while establishing Biwako Hall as a national leader in performance innovation. “The integration of SPAT Revolution in Biwako Hall demonstrates HARMAN’s commitment to elevating the audio experience in premier cultural venues, aligning cutting-edge technology with Biwako Hall’s esteemed legacy in the performing arts,” said Hugo Larin, Senior Business Development Manager for FLUX::, HARMAN Professional Solutions.
