King Center, North America

The Opportunity

For nearly four decades, the Maxwell C. King Center has served as Brevard County’s premier venue for the performing arts, hosting everything from Broadway tours and ballets to rock concerts. As the only venue within a 50-mile radius capable of accommodating national touring productions, the King Center is a vital cultural hub for Central Florida. By 2024, the main theatre, L3 Harris Technologies Theatre, was operating on a now 20-year-old JBL Professional sound system that had served its time. Recognizing the need to stay ahead in delivering unparalleled experiences for audiences, the decision was made to upgrade the sound system.

The Solution

For a venue that demands a system capable of delivering pristine sound for anything, the King Center partnered with APAV Solutions under the guidance of their CEO Craig Beyrooti. The project, which unfolded over three years, included designing a new rig using JBL VTX Series loudspeakers, upgrading the electrical infrastructure to support new high-power amplifiers, and installing a custom steel beam to handle the load of the new system.

Using JBL’s Venue Synthesis software, Beyrooti created a detailed system model and refined the design with input from JBL’s applications team. The final solution featured two flown arrays of eight VTX A12 loudspeakers each, paired with two VTX A12W wide-dispersion loudspeakers per side for increased horizontal coverage. A central cluster of six VTX B28 subwoofers, configured with two reversed for cardioid dispersion, delivered rich low-end without overwhelming the space. The system is powered by 28 Crown I-Tech 12000HD amplifiers and four I-Tech 4×3500HDs, ensuring ample headroom and reliability.

The team also reconfigured speaker positions to accommodate the theater’s reflective acoustics and orchestra shell. Reflector panels were removed to eliminate problematic bounce, and the main arrays were moved further onstage to optimize clarity. Additional VTX A8 compact line arrays and B18 subs at stage level covered the room’s far edges, while legacy JBL AM4212/95 speakers were retained in the back rows for supplemental coverage.

The tuning and final adjustments were led by JBL Applications Engineer Raul Gonzalez, who had previously assisted with the venue’s older system. His expertise ensured that the new installation delivered seamless and balanced sound from the front row to the back of the mezzanine.

The Impact

With the installation of the JBL VTX system, the King Center has significantly elevated its acoustic performance across all event types. Audiences now enjoy pristine audio quality in every seat, whether attending a ballet, concert, or Broadway production. Previously difficult areas—such as the front rows near the orchestra pit—now receive full, even coverage, with sound reaching nearly into the pit itself.
Ed Guilbeau, House Audio Technician at the King Center, praised the system’s clarity and consistency, noting that patrons and artists alike have commented on the improved sound since the installation. Shop Steward Mark Brasel echoed this sentiment, emphasizing how much more even the coverage is, from the balcony to the front row.

The successful upgrade reflects not only a leap forward in technology but also a personal triumph for APAV’s Craig Beyrooti, a local resident who frequently attends events at the King Center. “I wanted it to sound good because, you know, I’d be one of the punters in the scene,” he joked.

This milestone installation underscores the King Center’s continued role as the cultural heartbeat of Brevard County. With JBL’s cutting-edge VTX technology and APAV’s meticulous execution, the venue is now equipped to deliver exceptional sound experiences for decades to come, securing its position as a top-tier destination for performing arts in Central Florida.