JAPAN: The Shiga Prefectural Art Theatre—Biwako Hall—stands on the serene shores of Lake Biwa, just minutes from Kyoto, and has long been regarded as one of the Kansai region’s most culturally significant venues. Its 804-seat Middle Hall, traditionally known for hosting kabuki, kyogen, and spoken theatre, was meticulously tuned for dialogue clarity. But as the venue’s programming evolved to include opera, vocal ensemble performances, and orchestral work, its acoustic limitations became increasingly apparent. The hall’s short reverberation time, ideal for theatre, simply could not support the sonic depth required for these musical forms.

As fate would have it though, a transformative solution emerged at the most opportune moment, with a comprehensive sound system upgrade built around L-Acoustics Kara II line arrays that was designed by L-Acoustics Certified Provider Bestec Audio and installed by Yamaha Sound Systems. The new system delivers the musical warmth, precision, and scalability the Middle Hall had long needed. The upgrade marks a pivotal moment for the venue, which also includes the Large Hall and Small Hall within its wider complex.

“At 804 seats, the Middle Hall is the right scale for opera and vocal ensemble performances—similar to what you’d find in European opera houses,” explains Masahito Oshitani, Head of Stage Technology at Biwako Hall. “But the hall was originally designed for theatre, where you need short reverberation for dialogue clarity. For opera, we needed more.”

This ambition—to recreate the acoustic presence of a larger music hall within a medium-scale space—was central to the project. Previous positive experiences with L-Acoustics Kara as a mobile solution had already fostered confidence in the brand’s capabilities, setting the stage for a more extensive installation.

The shift from point-source loudspeakers to a modern line array design represented a fundamental change in operational approach. “We could only make sound decisions from the centre of the audience area,” Oshitani recalls. “Switching to line arrays has dramatically improved directionality and sound distribution. Now operators can create appropriate sound from any position.” The improvement was immediate: “We gained significant feedback margin with just reference tuning—no extensive adjustments needed. That reduced the workload on operators and let audiences focus on the performance instead of the sound system.”

Bestec Audio’s system design – centred on the Kara II – features an LCR deployment of seven units of the Kara IIi per hang covering the main floor and balcony. Side arrays of 10 units of the Kara IIi topped with an SB18 IIi subwoofer ensure seamless horizontal coverage, while X15 HiQ in-fill and overhead units add precision to the system’s imaging. Additional reinforcement comes from a distributed network of X8 loudspeakers—twelve units across truss positions and twelve mounted on the hall’s side walls—ensuring a cohesive surround field for every seat. Onstage, performers rely on X8 and X12 monitors, while a mobile configuration of X15 HiQ over SB18 serves flexible performance needs. The full system is driven by a robust amplification package comprising 14 units of the LA12X, 16 units of the LA4X, and two LA2Xi controllers.

The results extend beyond acoustic enhancement. “The quality of the entire production has improved,” Oshitani remarks. “Sound, lighting, the whole stage—everything gets better reviews since the upgrade. Audiences tell us the performances were excellent.”

Consistency has been key to that improvement. “Kara II delivers consistent sound quality and SPL throughout the venue,” he adds. “No matter where you’re sitting, the sound is natural and comfortable. L-Acoustics provides wide range from low to high frequencies, and sounds great even at low volumes—critical when you need well-balanced sound during performances.”

The new system has also strengthened the hall’s positioning within the region’s cultural infrastructure. “We can now accommodate artists and productions that specify L-Acoustics products,” says Oshitani—a growing requirement as the brand’s touring presence expands across Asia.