Client Overview
Saint Mary of the Assumption Church is a historic Catholic parish undergoing an extensive renovation to preserve its architectural beauty. While the upgrades they were looking for included roof and window repairs, altar platform restoration, and replacing carpeted flooring with tile—improving aesthetics, this resulted in raised concerns about the acoustics.
Church leaders were particularly worried that the removal of carpeting and addition of hard surfaces would worsen speech and overall sound intelligibility during services. With an outdated AV system already in place, they turned to Pro AV Systems for our expertise, to create a solution to deliver clear, even sound—without disrupting the sanctuary’s visual harmony.
The Solution
To guide the design, the Pro AV team measured reverberation time (RT60) and built a detailed acoustic model of the nave. This helped predict how renovations would affect sound and allowed us to engineer a system to overcome those challenges.
We installed Bose Panaray MSA12X loudspeakers, which use digital beam steering to focus sound directly on the congregation. This minimized reflections off hard surfaces while preserving the space’s aesthetics, with a discreet white finish. At the pulpit, a Shure MX418S/C gooseneck microphone was added to deliver clear, focused speech with minimal background noise.
To support parishioners with hearing loss, we included an Assisted Listening System. Using belt-pack receivers and T-coil-compatible neck loops, the system ensures everyone can fully engage in worship.
The Result
The impact within the Church was immediate. Sound was clear and consistent throughout the sanctuary—even with the new tile flooring. Every spoken word could be heard without strain, and the technology blended seamlessly into the historic setting.
By combining data-driven design with precise, unobtrusive audio technology, Pro AV Systems helped Saint Mary’s create a worship environment where tradition and clarity coexist beautifully.
At Pro AV Systems, we specialize in helping sacred spaces sound as beautiful as they look—honoring tradition while enhancing connection through great audio. Need better sound in your space? Let’s talk.
