HARMAN Professional Solutions delivers Asia-Pacific’s first immersive audio system for live cultural performance in Vietnam, redefining the audience experience through cutting-edge spatial sound and seamless AV integration

In a landmark project for the Asia-Pacific region, HARMAN Professional Solutions and AV integration partner Ba Sao Audio have delivered one of the first large-scale immersive audio deployments for a live cultural performance. The groundbreaking soundscape was realised for CHÀO, a theatrical celebration of Vietnamese heritage that melds traditional music with cutting-edge AV technologies, powered by a comprehensive suite of HARMAN Professional brands including JBL Professional, FLUX::, BSS, Crown, AKG, and Soundcraft.

Conceived by Nguyễn Khắc Anh, CEO of Ba Sao Investment, and led technically by Vũ Hữu Thắng, CHÀO breaks new ground in live performance by placing audiences and performers within a shared acoustic environment—an unconventional setup with no stage monitors or in-ear systems. This presented unique acoustic and spatial challenges, prompting the deployment of a 20.4-channel immersive audio system designed to envelop the audience in a meticulously mapped three-dimensional sonic field.

Central to this setup was the FLUX:: SPAT Revolution, which enabled precise spatial positioning and real-time control of sound objects across the venue. Supporting this were 20 units of the JBL AC18/95 loudspeakers for full-range coverage and four units of the JBL STX818S subwoofers delivering controlled low-end energy. Amplification and system control were managed via Crown CDi Drivecore 4|600 and MA9000i amplifiers, while BSS Soundweb BLU-806 and BLU-BOB2 handled signal processing and spatial rendering.

To capture the delicate nuances of the show’s original orchestral suite with 30 traditional Vietnamese instruments – 49 units of the AKG microphones were deployed, including the C214, C519M, C411PP and C451B models. Mixing was facilitated by a Soundcraft Vi2000 digital mixing console paired with a 64-channel Dante stagebox, ensuring seamless routing and precision control.

“This collaboration has enabled us to create a powerful and engaging experience for audiences,” noted Vũ Hữu Thắng, Technical Director, Ba Sao Audio. “Working with HARMAN’s integrated solutions allowed us to meet the technical demands of the production while supporting its creative goals.”

CHÀO also featured a massive 150-square-metre LED screen and synchronised lighting, further enhancing the immersive storytelling. The result was a deeply engaging, multisensory experience that transported audiences into the heart of Vietnamese tradition—redefined through innovation.

“This project exemplifies how our end-to-end solutions can elevate cultural storytelling,” stated Amar Subash, VP & GM, Professional Solutions, APAC. “CHÀO is a model for how immersive technologies can preserve and amplify tradition in a way that’s both modern and moving.”

The production stands as a new benchmark for immersive cultural performance in the region, demonstrating the power of integrated AV technologies to honour the past while propelling live experiences into the future.