For six decades, the International Baptist Church of Singapore has been a unique beacon in the city-state’s religious landscape. Founded in 1965, IBCS has grown into something rare: a truly international congregation where believers from 55 different nationalities gather each weekend for worship, creating a multicultural tapestry that reflects Singapore’s global identity.
But unifying voices from around the world requires more than just shared faith, it demands exceptional audio clarity that reaches every corner of their 500-capacity main sanctuary. When the church’s aging sound system could no longer deliver the pristine coverage their diverse congregation demanded, IBCS turned to L-Acoustics Certified Partner Concept Systems Technologies for a solution that would serve both intimate sermons and contemporary worship led by worship bands, choir, and orchestra ensembles.
Acoustic Challenges in a Sacred Space
The main sanctuary has a wide seating hall with different sections that have both high and relatively low ceiling heights. This presented specific acoustic challenges that demanded a sophisticated approach. Given the space’s architectural constraints and natural acoustic environment, a carefully designed system was required to achieve consistent, intelligible sound throughout the venue.
“Our system design for IBCS centred around L-Acoustics A10i speakers. It was specifically selected for its unique waveguide directivity characteristics that proved ideal for the venue’s wide seating area and ceiling constraints,” explained Gerald Fong of Concept Systems Technologies.
Using L-Acoustics Soundvision 3D modelling software, Concept Systems developed a comprehensive solution that consists of a main left-right hang that features one A10i Focus and two A10i Wide speakers per side. Each side is also coupled with two KS21i subwoofers providing low-end definition. To complete the coverage, an out-fill left-right hang is deployed with one A10i Focus and one A10i Wide speaker per side, while a single X8i enhances the centre-fill coverage. Balcony seating receives coverage from a pair of X8i boxes positioned on either side of the hall.
Engineering Upgrades Drive Better Coverage
Using Soundvision 3D Modelling simulations, Concept Systems has enhanced coverage by determining the optimal height for speaker installation. Congregation members seated under the balcony with relatively low ceiling heights have noticed substantial improvements. The 3D model also assisted in the optimal deployment of the X8i speakers to ensure that the farthest end of the balcony is receiving the same consistent and intelligible sound quality.
“Our team managed to adapt to the sanctuary architectural constraints and install the balcony coverage X8i units amidst changing ceiling heights challenges and with minimal impact to the interior design,” noted Fong. “This ultimately improved overall coverage significantly, and we could verify through Soundvision modelling.”
A total of five L-Acoustics LA4X amplified controllers are deployed to power the system. The input AES-EBU audio signal is taken from an Allen & Heath DX012 Digital Expander, which is connected to an Allen & Heath DLive Digital Mixing Console. The speaker amplifiers are connected via an AES-EBU signal chain, with an additional analogue signal chain to ensure redundancy. This approach matches the sanctuary’s architectural elegance with technical sophistication.
Seamless Installation, Uninterrupted Worship
Fong and the Concept Systems team executed the installation within a tight two-week window, working exclusively on weekdays with mandatory Friday evening handovers for weekend services. The complex transition required exceptional coordination—at one point, two complete systems hung from the ceiling simultaneously while maintaining uninterrupted worship operations.
“Soundvision played a crucial role in making confident, informed design decisions during the project’s early phases,” noted Fong. “It provided clear visual communication with the client during the tender process. They could see exactly how coverage would improve and later helped us optimize the design before the installation.”
Transforming the Worship Experience
The impact has been transformative for both IBCS’s diverse congregation and technical team. Sound quality has improved dramatically with well-distributed coverage throughout the sanctuary, providing better headroom control for audio engineers and an elevated worship experience that serves the church’s mission of fostering unity across cultures.
“Concept Systems understood our vision of creating an inclusive worship environment with pristine audio for our diverse congregants. They have been a trustworthy and reliable partner,” concluded Derek Tan from the International Baptist Church of Singapore. “The L-Acoustics A Series system supports our mission of fostering unity and delivers exceptional audio that serves both intimate, faithful moments and celebratory worship expressions.”
For a congregation that spans 55 nationalities, crystal-clear audio isn’t just about technical excellence—it’s about ensuring every voice, every language, and every prayer can be heard and shared in the spirit of true community worship.
