As part of a wider technology upgrade, a leading South African university opened a dedicated on-campus cinema for its Media Communications and Culture Department. The space allows students to experience the films and video projects they produce in a professional, immersive environment while also serving as a lecture theatre for everyday use.
The 18.5 × 8.5 metre room features 140 raked seats and required a flexible audiovisual solution that combined cinematic impact with ease of operation for staff. AV specialists Digital Fabric defined the system requirements, after which AV Distribution was appointed to design and supply a Dolby Atmos 7.1.4-capable audio solution. Installation was carried out by the university’s integration partner, Ubuntu Technologies.
To deliver consistent power and clarity throughout the venue, an AUDAC VEXO loudspeaker system was specified. Three VEXO112 loudspeakers provide precise front of house coverage, while VEXO108 units along the side and rear walls create an enveloping surround field. Additional ceiling-mounted VEXO108 loudspeakers add overhead immersion, supported by BASO15 subwoofers for impactful low-frequency performance.
The system is powered by AUDAC SMQ series amplifiers, all equipped with Dante expansion cards to ensure a fully digital signal path. After commissioning, the cinema was calibrated to reference cinema listening levels, ensuring students experience their work as it would be heard in a professional theatre.
The result is a versatile, high-performance cinema that enhances both learning and creativity, delivering professional-grade sound quality within an educational environment.
