The relationship between former db Sound President Harry Witz (now General Manager of Clair-Showco-Chicago), House of Blues and Electro-Voice continues to produce award-winning sound at House of Blues locations across the USA. The sound system spec for the brand new Dallas House of Blues ups the ante once again, featuring the latest XLC DVX line arrays from Electro-Voice, along with a full compliment of EV P and CP series amplifiers, Midas mixing consoles and Klark Teknik Square One signal processing.

The Dallas House of Blues features two main hangs of eight XLC DVX per side, each split in the middle with two XLC118 subs. System designer Witz says splitting the top four and bottom four XLC DVX enclosures with two subs effectively makes each hang operate as two individual arrays. Individual processing for upstairs and downstairs coverage eliminates the need for upstairs delays, and the sub-split configuration helps minimize main system slapback from the front of the balcony back onto the stage, making performers much more comfortable onstage than with previous system designs. The three custom designed Quad 18 sub woofers located under the stage feature EV EVX 18” drivers, delivering a tremendous amount of sub low. “One recent tour engineer wanted to bring extra subs in the venue,” says Witz, “but, after he heard the system, he instructed the crew to put them back on the truck.”

Charles “Chopper” Brady (Director of Production, House of Blues Club Venues) and Jim Rounsley (Production Manager, House of Blues Dallas) are thrilled with the new sound system: “The DVX version of XLC balances noticeably warmer sound with better power handling,” says Brady. “Two of the first shows through the new system were Erykah Badu and Joss Stone, and it really shined on their voices. We had performances by George Clinton and the Deftones right after that, and the rig was equally impressive delivering punchier, heavier music. From the smoothest vocal reproduction to the heaviest metal, it has the sonic flexibility we need for the wide range of acts we have.”

Additional EV equipment at the Dallas House of Blues includes distributed ZX1 speakers and Plasma powered speakers in a smaller, separate club space, for a more intimate concert experience. “We have two Plasma P1 full-range and two P2 subs per side in this room, with SxA250 monitors,” adds Brady, “–a portable PA that offers high performance and a tidy footprint. We used the system for a recent show by Joe Bonamassa and it sounded fantastic. Working with EV, Midas and KT, we have consistently high sound quality at all our locations, for every artist, every night, in rooms of every shape and size.”