Inaugurated in 1876, the National Congress Palace is a neoclassical building that once housed the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate.

In 1990, the Congress was relocated to Valparaíso, and the building became an alternative venue for official events, institutional appointments, and a library serving senators and deputies.

One of its most iconic spaces, the former Chamber of Deputies, has been renovated with audiovisual technology, including LED screens, video cameras, streaming tools, and a modern audio system featuring speakers and components from Bose Professional.

Due to its historical value, all project work was supervised by the National Monuments Council, as the building is a national monument.

Upgrading the audiovisual systems

David Abarca, from the IT department of the Chamber of Deputies and project manager, explains that the audio system faced three main challenges: careful installation due to the building's historical nature, achieving the best possible intelligibility, and reducing the room's reverberation effect.

The speaker installation had to meet the parameters and undergo the supervision of the National Monuments Council. Intelligibility was a critical factor due to the space's purpose for speeches and presentations.

The room had a noticeable reverberation caused by its large walls, balconies, and dome-shaped ceiling. The space is semicircular, with a height of over 12 meters and an area of approximately 350 square meters. Its layout is divided into two main zones: a presidium and podium at the front, and five rows of seats on tiered platforms.

The Bose Professional solution

The Chilean company Pro AV Tecnología, specialists in audiovisual solutions, was chosen for the audio system project by presenting the best proposal in the public tender.

According to Claudio Ibarra, General Manager of Pro AV Tecnología, a clean and quick installation solution was required, along with simple and agile operation and highly reliable performance.

Previously, as part of the proposal, Ibarra and his team reviewed the system requirements with MMT Chile, Bose Professional's wholesale distributor in Chile, and Bose Professional's technical support engineer. Bose Professional's MSA12X column speakers were selected as the best solution, as their wide horizontal coverage would ensure vocal intelligibility in this acoustically challenging space.

The engineers carried out a system simulation using architectural plans and material information, supported by the Modeler software for acoustic analysis and design. Based on the information obtained, they determined the best location for the speakers.

To cover the seating area, four MSA12X speakers were installed in a linear array configuration, two on each side of the presidium, at a height of three meters.

The Articulated Array design of the MSA12X, with its twelve full-range drivers, allows a wide vertical coverage of 160°, ensuring that the sound reaches each seat clearly and intelligibly.

The modular design of the MSA12X allows stacking a pair of speakers in a linear array configuration, providing more precise vertical pattern control, improving reach, and reducing sound wave reflections on the floor and ceiling.

For the presidium area, Pro AV Tecnología installed a pair of FreeSpace DS 40SE speakers on each side, at a height of three meters, directed toward the seating area. The system is completed with a FreeSpace IZA 2120 HZ amplifier, a ControlSpace ESP-1240AD processor in the control booth, and two ControlCenter CC-2 zone controllers for easy volume management.

The discreet design and sleek shape of the MSA12X speakers make them virtually blend into the room, as they barely protrude from the side columns flanking the presidium. Similarly, the FreeSpace DS 40SE speakers were mounted on the same columns. The matte white color of both models also helps them integrate seamlessly into the environment.

The installation was carried out under the strict supervision of the National Monuments Council, whose staff provided guidance on the necessary precautions to preserve the surfaces worked on, ensuring the protection of the historic building.

Pro AV Tecnología also installed an audio mixing console and a pair of signal distributors for streaming transmissions.

Sound worthy of a historic space

The performance of the new audio system in the former Chamber of Deputies has been a success, meeting all requirements for coverage, sound pressure, and intelligibility. The installation was completed in compliance with preservation standards. The speakers blend into the room and, thanks to their design and color, seamlessly integrate with the walls.

The reverberation effect was eliminated by combining the use of MSA12X speakers with the installation of carpet and wooden panels. The achieved intelligibility level satisfied everyone. “The voice sounds natural and very clear. There’s no effort needed to understand the speakers”, said Claudio Ibarra.

For the Pro AV Tecnología team, it has been a great experience working with MMT Chile, Bose Professional, and the Chamber of Deputies.

David Abarca is a highly experienced audio professional, which made the process easier. Additionally, we had the support of MMT Chile and Bose Professional engineers, concluded Claudio Ibarra.