Tag: Marine Audio

Princess Cruise Lines install Technomad Weather Tech Loudspeakers

El Segundo, California – Princess Cruise Lines, through Thomas-Gregor Audio of El Segundo, California, recently took delivery of a total of eight Technomad Berlin model, full-range loudspeakers for two ship installations. Four white Berlin loudspeakers aboard the Crown Princess and the Regal Princess, now provide complete and thorough high-fidelity sound coverage for the each ship’s main pool deck area. The Technomad Berlin loudspeakers were part of several systems upgrades that recently took place while the Crown Princess was in wet dock in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida and while the Regal Princess was in dry dock in Portland, Oregon. According to Paul Cutone of Thomas-Gregor Associates, “The loudspeakers previously used in these pool deck sound systems had completely deteriorated due to the harsh environments found at sea. New Crown MacroTech 2400 amps, outboard processing and EQ were added in addition to the Technomad loudspeakers. Several components of the systems, such as the Ashley MM508 mixers, Crest CA4 monitor amps, JBL stage and monitors remain intact.”

While the two ships cruise the Alaskan waterways in the summer, and the pool decks are not utilized, the Berlin loudspeakers are securely sealed with their installation-version, water-tight, gasketed lids. In the winter months, when the ships cruise the Caribbean, the lids are secured to the back of the Berlin loudspeaker cabinets when the loudspeakers are active. “During evening hours, when the decks and walls are hosed and cleaned down, the lids of the loudspeakers are replaced to protect the drivers. There are no other loudspeakers, from any manufacturer, that can do this,” notes Mr. Cutone. “The Technomads are the ideal choice for outdoor cruise ship and amusement park high-powered audio installations.

“The loudspeakers were flown horizontally underneath the ‘pool mezzanine’ deck. Installation was quick and easy, and I was very impressed how easily the Technomads installed to their standard 20:1 D-Ring fly points,” notes TGA vice president, Greg Kirkland. Mr. Kirkland continues, “Since installing the Technomads aboard these two ships, we have had reports back from the ships’ technicians stating they have never had such clear, powerful and all-encompassing sound on the pool decks before. They are extremely happy with the Technomads. In the past, there have been many projects that required specially prepared, weatherized loudspeakers. We wished we had a line of loudspeakers like Technomad, just from the economy aspect of the job! Technomad is very high on our list for all future, outdoor audio applications.” Technomad loudspeakers are designed to be used in abusive, real-world situations – year-round, in-doors or out – without fear of water, sand, salt, temperature, mold, mildew, condensation, chemical, insect, UV light radiation, or other damage. Technomad offers the only off-the-shelf PA speaker system that meets Military-Specification 810E and is ATA III rated. Technomad loudspeakers are the ideal choice for amusement and water parks, aquariums, aquatic facilities, seaside resorts, casinos, city, state and federal parks, cruise ships, outdoor stadiums, arenas and theaters, sound hire companies, military uses, etc. All Technomad loudspeaker models are protected by the most comprehensive warranty in the industry: 10 year cabinet warranty, 5 year external cabinet hardware warranty and a 2 year electronic component warranty.

Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines install Technomad WeatherTech™ Loudspeakers

Miami, Florida – Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines install Technomad WeatherTech(tm) Loudspeakers.

Pro audio equipment is highly sensitive gear that is very susceptible to the ravages of hostile weather conditions. High fidelity loudspeaker systems have never been items that one would leave out in the rain, fog or humidity, let alone rain, fog or humidity that is very high in salt content.

Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines, one of the leading cruise lines in the world, was recently operating with a revolving door policy when it came to their on-deck, mobile high fidelity loudspeakers. “R.C.C.L was getting about a year of use from our loudspeakers”, notes Mr. Craig Chamberlain, Senior Buyer for Casino and Cruise Programs. “The salt water, rain, sprays and wash downs took their toll on the wood, electronics and especially the speaker cones to the point the loudspeakers would need to be replaced frequently.” The expense of replacing many pairs of professional high powered loudspeakers per year was prohibitive.

The Caribbean weather can go from sunny with temperatures of 110 degrees to driving rain and temperatures of 60degrees, and then back again within fifteen minutes. The lifespan of professional audio equipment and loudspeaker systems in this type of environment is greatly reduced due to the extreme sun, heat, water, wind and salt conditions. Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines had used several different brands of cloth covered, pressboard and plywood cabinet loudspeaker systems for their on-deck audio applications. Continues Mr. Chamberlain, “Even though R.C.C.L takes great pride in taking care of all of our equipment, the wood loudspeakers were not holding up to the environment.”

Mr. Chamberlain was told about Technomad WeatherTech(tm) loudspeakers by Brian Leeser of Miami Audio Video Company, of Miami, Florida. Imagine a high-powered, high fidelity loudspeaker system that could be operated outdoors, in the rain, fog, salt spray, humidity, blazing sun and intense heat. This intrigued Mr. Chamberlain.

Mr. Leeser informed Mr. Chamberlain that Technomad loudspeakers are impervious to salt water, sand, condensation, UV light, corrosion, insects, and other damage. A Technomad loudspeaker’s four layer, acoustically transparent grill system breaks up wind driven rain, sprayed water and liquids. Any water that does get onto the chemically treated drivers (speaker cones) is merely shed away. For very extreme weather conditions, Technomad WeatherTech(tm) loudspeakers also feature a watertight lid. With the lid attached, Technomad loudspeakers meet Military-Specification 810E, have an ATA III rating, are splinter-proof and resistant to impact, chemical cleaners and even fire. Like-size Technomad cabinets lock together when stacked, and interlocking ribs allow for secure transport and storage in rough seas.

Mr. Leeser learned out about Technomad at the 1995 INFOCOMM Expo in Dallas, Texas. Miami Audio Video Company (MAVCO) is recognized as one of the leading audio, video and multimedia design and installation firms in the world for the cruise ship industry. MAVCO, never a company to rest on its laurels and only sell the standard fare of “black cabinets” recognized the potential of the Technomad WeatherTech(tm) loudspeaker line. Always looking to make inroads into new markets with new products, Mr. Leeser suggested R.C.C.L. evaluate a pair of the Technomad WeatherTech(tm) full range Berlin model loudspeakers on a two week evaluation cruise. Mr. Leeser states, “When I received a check for the first pair of Technomad loudspeakers after only one week into the evaluation, I knew I was onto something special.”

Since acquiring the first pair of Technomad WeatherTech Berlin model loudspeakers for The Sovereign of the Seas, Technomads have been acquired for several other R.C.C.L. ships, including Song of America, Majesty of the Seas and Nordic Empress. Mr. Chamberlain notes, “Since changing to the Technomad WeatherTech(tm) Berlin model loudspeakers in September 1995, we have been very pleased with their durability.” The Technomads are primarily used poolside for the entire day by a Calypso band. In the evening the Technomads are used for parties and other functions, such as ‘Theme Night’ festivities. It is not unusual for the Technomads to be in use eight or more hours per day.

Ease of use and electronic reliability were other reasons to replace Royal Caribbean’s older loudspeakers with the Technomads. States Mr. Chamberlain, “Many members of the on-board entertainment staff, who will eventually handle the Technomad loudspeakers, are not audio professionals. In many cases an audio technician will set-up the entire PA system and walk away from it, leaving the audio system to be operated by the band.”

Technomad’s electronics are designed to withstand a significant amount of use. High quality, custom made crossover networks ensure superior audio performance and ultimate reliability. Technomad’s crossovers feature premium 400-volt metalized polypropylene Solen capacitors and unusually large inductors for low insertion-loss and DC-tolerant performance, and all internal wiring is 12-gauge multi-braided copper cable.

Aside from the rapidly changing weather conditions at sea, “Royal Caribbean needs to watch what we buy for many reasons. The extended warranty on the Technomad loudspeakers is another reason why we use the product,” notes Mr. Chamberlain referring to Technomad’s 10/5/2 year comprehensive warranty against manufacturers defects. The 10/5/2 warranty covers the Technomad loudspeaker cabinet for ten years, the external hardware for five years and all of the electronics for two years.

Mr. Chamberlain concludes, “We cannot be monitoring the audio equipment 100% of the time, so it’s good to know that we can walk away from the Technomads in 99% of our ‘at-sea’ situations and they will come through just fine.”

Technomad Speakers Set Sail On the Queen Mary 2

The Queen Mary 2, the largest and most expensive cruise ship ever built, set sail from her homeport of Southampton, England on her maiden voyage ­ a Trans-Atlantic trek to Ft. Lauderdale, Florida ­ with a full complement of Technomad loudspeakers distributed throughout her exterior entertainment decks. Nautilus Entertainment Design, a La Jolla, CA, based design and engineering firm, was commissioned to write the specification for the QM2, and given the responsibility to design the local entertainment systems. The result of this effort was to outfit the new luxury liners pool and entertainment decks with state-of-the-art, high-fidelity Technomad loudspeakers.

The QM2 measures 1,132 feet from stern to bow, some 113 feet longer than the original, venerable Queen Mary, and holds 2,620 passengers and 1,253 crewmembers when fully loaded. The vessel, larger and more populous than some land-based cities, is the new flagship ocean liner for the prestigious Cunard Line, which also sails the luxurious Queen Elizabeth 2 and Caronia cruise ships.

The distributed, exterior sound system called for high-fidelity audio to match the ship’s lofty standard of excellence. In addition, any outdoor/exterior deck loudspeakers would have to withstand year-round exposure from the sun, sky and seven seas. For nearly a decade, Technomad’s weatherproof line of loudspeakers remains the first choice for high-fidelity outdoor sound by nearly all cruise ship lines. Technomad’s mil-spec construction is able to withstand salt spray, humidity, fog, rain, penetrating tropical sun, unrelenting constant year-round use, and fast transitions between hot and cold temperatures.

Harbour Marine Systems delivered and installed a wide array of Technomad models to provide coverage across different outdoor multi-zone listening areas on the Queen Mary 2. 38, ultra-compact, 2-way Technomad Vernal-15T loudspeakers, 13 of the larger, 2-way Technomad Vienna 16-T loudspeakers and eight, 2-way Technomad Noho-C Install loudspeakers are installed throughout QM2, including the palatial Pavilion Pool and bar area, located on the upper-most deck of the vessel.

Additional foreground sound in the QM2÷s exterior entertainment areas is handled by a combination of four bi-amped, three-way Technomad Cairo loudspeakers, supported by 2-way Technomad Noho loudspeakers. Low-end sound reinforcement comes from four powerful Technomad Chicago sub-woofers, each of which features a 12-inch and 15-inch low-frequency driver.

Harbour Marine Systems and Cunard chose Technomad loudspeakers because of their unique combination of incredible durability, wide dispersion and high-fidelity sonic reproduction.

All Technomad loudspeakers feature a four layer, acoustically transparent grill system that breaks up wind driven rain, sprayed water and liquids. Any water that does get onto the chemically treated drivers (speaker cones) simply rolls off without penetrating the drivers. For extreme weather conditions, Technomad loudspeakers also feature a watertight lid. With the lid attached, Technomad loudspeakers are the only off-the-shelf speaker system that meets Military-Specification 810F. Technomad loudspeakers have an ATA III rating, are splinter-proof and resistant to impact, chemical cleaners and even fire.

Also attractive to both Harbour Marine Systems and Cunard was Technomad’s willingness to stand by their craftsmanship, as evidenced by the most comprehensive warranty in the industry: 10 years cabinet, 5 years external cabinet hardware and 2 years electronic component warranty.


The Pavilion Pool deck on the QM 2. Technomad loudspeakers are installed around the perimeter.


The Majestic Queen Mary 2