Rain and cold weather presented many challenges for a smooth presidential inauguration ceremony, but speaker systems from JBL held up to the elements and delivered the sound. Patrick Baltzell of Baltzell Audio Design specified JBL VerTec speakers for the hundreds of thousands of listeners on the Capital Mall. Baltimore's MSI installed a number of their new VerTec VT4889 arrays on custom towers throughout the mall. MSI's project manager Art Isaacs and the MSI crew worked all-night shifts in freezing weather to prepare the nine delay towers. JBL VerTec line array systems were set up in multiple locations, with the two main towers spanning a front stage area nearly 47 metres (150 feet) wide. Crown power amplifiers were used throughout. In the VIP/Diplomat section, 155 JBL Control 25AV speakers were utilized, whilst JBL 4892-90A Array Series speakers were provided by MSI for covering mid-throw applications in a number of audience regions.
