The Martin Screen 6 Series has been chosen for the upgrade of Wellington’s Embassy Theatre. The theatre is run by the Embassy Theatre Trust, established in 1995 by a committed group of arts, film and heritage interests. So when trust member, Peter Jackson, wanted a premium location for the New Zealand premiere of his film, Lord of the Rings, the Embassy seemed the obvious choice.

It was felt that the sound system was in need of some improvement. And with the premiere date fast approaching a complete upgrade proved more cost effective than repairing and modifying the current house system.

With the help of Optimum Cinema Systems MD, Ewan Cole, the new Martin system was designed, flown to New Zealand and installed in record time ready for the premiere. “There were concerns with the old system’s lack of sub bass”, says Ewan, whose company distributes Martin Audio’s cinema products in New Zealand. “In the end it was decided that one of the best cinema audio systems would be needed to portray Jackson’s Lord of the Rings with the maximum impact and quality that it deserved. The existing system suffered from not only a lack of bass but also under-powered surrounds.”

“The resulting upgrade just sounds fantastic,” he enthused. “High quality clean audio is instrumental in enjoying the film experience to the maximum. It is fantastic for the Embassy and Wellington to have such a prestigious location to screen quality films. The Martin Screen System manages to convey more excitement than any system I can think of.”

Ewan, who attended the New Zealand premiere of Lord of the Rings, discovered that his enthusiasm was contagious. The film’s Post Production Producer, Jamie Selkirk, added “The sound is just fantastic,” while director, Peter Jackson, was even more enthusiastic, telling the audience, “Having seen the premieres in London, New York, Toronto and Los Angeles, The Embassy is the best screening I have seen.”

The system consists of the brand new Screen 6 Series. Three Screen 6’s are used across the front along with six centrally-located Screen Sub 1A’s supplying the sub bass necessary to fill the theatre. Power is supplied by two Martin Audio MA4.2’s and three MA1.3’s, Martin’s acclaimed high power amplifiers.

Summarised Ewan, “In the end people speak with their feet and the Embassy is still filling to capacity. The sound is an integral part of the experience and I am glad that the Martin system adds immeasurably to that enjoyment — both for now and the foreseeable future.”