Germany | October 2025 — VILCO is a modern convention center located north of Frankfurt in Bad Vilbel, Germany. Since opening in 2023, the versatile space has become a cultural hub for the local area, hosting events of all sizes from live music, theatre and classical concerts to lectures and conferences. With a huge catchment area of up to 10 million people, the venue’s goal is to cater for its busy and varied schedule with optimal acoustics and short conversion times between performances. The Renkus-Heinz C Series was selected for its exceptional sound quality, making it the ideal complement to an Amadeus Active Acoustics system and fulfilling the demands of both classical concert acoustics and immersive experiences.
At the heart of VILCO is the Great Hall, which seats up to 1,200 people. The multipurpose space can be divided into three smaller halls for different event formats and comes equipped with a retractable stage, mobile and divisible grandstand, and an orchestra shell. For integrator AVEO GmbH, the task was to implement a variable acoustics system for classical concerts that could adapt instantly to varied genres while consistently delivering concert-hall quality acoustics, without the need for complex manual or architectural adjustments.
To meet this challenge, 64 Renkus-Heinz C Series point-source loudspeakers and eight Renkus-Heinz CX112 subwoofers were installed throughout the hall’s ceilings and walls, supporting the already installed Amadeus Active Acoustics technology.
During performances, 32 discreet Audio-Technica microphones pick up the direct sound from the stage and the diffuse sound in the auditorium, transmitting it to the Amadeus Core. Here, the individual signals are specifically processed according to the requirements of the concert genre, then mixed and amplified by Bittner Audio amps before being distributed by the Renkus-Heinz loudspeakers. The C Series loudspeakers reproduce the sound without coloration or any sense of an artificial source. “The result is a very natural sound experience, so the audience feels fully enveloped by the sound,” explains Thorsten Rohde, co-founder of Amadeus Acoustics. In addition, the signals from the stage are also used to increase the proportion of early reflections in the overall reverberation. “This is crucial for the spatial perception, transparency and speech intelligibility of choirs, for example.”
The acoustic system supports three full hall configurations and one smaller hall option, each with presets ranging from chamber ensembles to choir and sacred music. The system also includes an optional Immersive Audio module for 3D formats such as Atmos, 5.1 or 7.1.4, ensuring the hall is prepared for future productions.
For variable acoustics to work, loudspeakers must reproduce sound transparently and blend invisibly into the diffuse field. Renkus-Heinz’s C Series loudspeakers deliver wide-dispersion and smooth frequency response in a compact form factor. “We have used Renkus-Heinz loudspeakers successfully in several Amadeus Acoustics projects, including the congress centers in Suhl and Alpbach, so we knew they would work well for VILCO,” says Michael Voessing, Managing Director at MediasPro Medientechnik GmbH, project distributor. “Their unobtrusive design and natural sound make them ideal for variable acoustics systems. They disappear visually yet deliver the performance needed.”
A total of 42 CX41 loudspeakers were integrated into the front, side and back walls to reinforce the room’s sound without intruding on its modern architecture. 18 CX81 loudspeakers were suspended between ceiling panels, their compact size allowing them to fit into the limited space while diffusing sound evenly across the hall. Additionally, eight CX112S subwoofers were distributed across the ceiling to provide deep, controlled bass and consistent low-frequency coverage.
When the smaller hall option is used, four compact CX61 loudspeakers provide smooth rear-wall coverage. This ensures that the smaller hall delivers the same level of audio clarity and balance as the full hall—a key requirement for a venue designed for quick changeovers.
“Positioning the large number of suspended speakers and microphones was a real challenge,” recalls Joachim Lindemann at Bühnenplanung Walter Kottke Ingenieure GmbH (BWKI), construction manager and project planner for AV equipment. “The space between the acoustic panels and catwalks was extremely limited, so every device had to be installed with precision—maintaining the required distances while still accommodating the hall’s different configurations and uses.”
To simplify sound setups in such a multifaceted space, all configurations are controlled via a central Crestron control system. “Switching from an orchestra concert to a conference or theatre performance would normally mean complex rearrangements in the hall and manual adjustments to the audio technology,” says Patrick Voccia, project manager at AVEO GmbH.
“Today, we simply select the appropriate preset on the Crestron touch panel, and the system automatically adjusts the reverberation time, loudspeaker configuration, and signal routing. This saves time, reduces personnel costs, and ensures an efficient operation.”
This flexibility was put to the test during the ten-day “Hessentag” festival, where multiple events took place. “Thanks to the installed technology, adapting to other event types and music genres is straightforward,” says Marcel Theobald at satis&fy, VILCO’s technical service provider.
VILCO’s Great Hall now delivers outstanding flexibility and sound quality through the combination of Amadeus Active Acoustics and Renkus-Heinz loudspeakers. The C Series provides the accuracy, coverage, and discretion required for variable acoustics, creating a natural listening experience that envelopes audiences while preserving the venue’s modern architecture. With this foundation, VILCO is equipped to serve as a premier cultural and event hub for a huge catchment area, delivering exceptional sound for every format—at the touch of a button.
Technical Information
8x CX112 Subwoofers
42x CX41
18x CX81
4x CX61
© Featured Image by AVEO GmbH
© Image #1 by Stadt Bad Vilbel
© Image #2 by MediasPro Medientechnik GmbH
© Image #3 by Stadt Bad Vilbel
© Image#4 by spaces mgt GmbH