Originally built for the 1982 Commonwealth Games, the Chandler Theatre has served as one of Brisbane’s most adaptable performance venues for more than four decades. As the venue’s original loudspeaker system neared the end of its service life, the 1,500-seat theater required a new solution that could deliver clear, even coverage for a wide variety of events, from school productions and orchestral performances to national touring acts.
Following a competitive design process, the theater selected a system centered on JBL Professional’s VTX A6 subcompact line array. The installation was completed by High Noon Stage Productions with system consultation from XConnect Professional Services and support from Australian distributor MadisonAV.
The design includes three hangs of eight JBL VTX A6 loudspeakers paired with three hangs of three JBL VTX B15 subwoofers in cardioid configuration. The system is powered by Crown I-Tech HD 4×3500W amplifiers, ensuring consistent and efficient performance. JBL Venue Synthesis software guided the system modeling, providing precise calculations for coverage, drop heights, and load distribution. The compact form factor of the VTX A6 and B15 systems allowed the integration team to maintain sightlines, manage rigging weight, and fit the design within the theater’s cantilevered truss system.
“The VTX A6 subcompact system allowed us to keep the hang height short enough to avoid blocking sightlines, keep weight down, while still delivering the required SPL,” said Glenn Thompson of XConnect. “The Venue Synthesis predictions proved remarkably accurate – the first hang went up exactly as modeled and didn’t require any adjustment.”
With the new system in place, the Chandler Theatre now offers consistent coverage and reliable performance across its full range of programming. Visiting engineers have praised the system for its clarity and flexibility, and audiences benefit from improved intelligibility throughout the venue.
“Thanks to our new state-of-the-art JBL loudspeaker system, the venue can now attract new, fresh content while retaining the diverse programming we already host month to month,” said Alex Hutchison, General Manager of the Sleeman Sports Complex. “We’re genuinely excited about what lies ahead.”
By combining the precision of JBL VTX loudspeakers with Crown amplification and the expertise of its local partners, the Chandler Theatre achieved an audio upgrade that respects the venue’s legacy while preparing it for the demands of modern productions.
