Acoustics at the Monastery of San José: IONIC Series
A Maronite Heritage Landmark in Jrabbta
The integration of the audio system at the Monastery of St Joseph and St John the Baptist in Jrabbta (Batroun, Lebanon) founded in 1897 and home to the tomb of St Rafqa, presents a significant technical challenge due to the site’s historical and spiritual importance.
Historical Context and Integration
The monastery, built in the late 19th century, is characterised by limestone architecture that presents complex acoustic conditions. The introduction of modern technology into a space of this significance requires seamless integration. The minimalist profile of the Ionic series has allowed the speakers to be positioned within the historic pillars, maintaining the visual restraint required in a site of global pilgrimage.
The main challenge in this church, which houses the tomb of Saint Rafqa, is the interaction of sound waves with highly reflective surfaces. The stone walls, vaulted ceilings and marble floors create a complex reverberation field that often impairs speech intelligibility, a critical factor in liturgical services.
The technology used: Ionic Series columns
To ensure even coverage throughout the church, a configuration based on highly directional columns has been chosen:
- 8 x Ionic-V28: These passive columns, each featuring 8 x 4″ transducers, have been strategically positioned on the monastery’s pillars. Their physical length allows for precise control of the vertical beam, directing the sound energy towards the audience and minimising reflections off the ceiling and stone walls, thereby reducing excessive reverberation within the space.
- 2 x Ionic-V24: Equipped with four 4-inch transducers, these units are intended to reinforce secondary areas or listening points near the altar, ensuring that the transition in sound is imperceptible to the congregation.
Environmental and Aesthetic Integration
In climatic conditions such as those found in Batroun, temperature fluctuations within stone structures can affect the longevity of the components. The ionic series is constructed from high-quality materials to ensure operational stability. Furthermore, the aesthetic neutrality of the columns ensures that attention remains focused on the spiritual and historical significance of the monastery, a global pilgrimage centre situated 350 metres above sea level.
This electroacoustic refurbishment project has been made possible thanks to the work of our official distributor in the country, Eltek Lebanon.
