The Yaamava’ Theatre opened with a VIP command performance by the Red Hot Chili Peppers
USA - In April, Yaamava’ Resort & Casino, owned by the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians, opened its new 2,600-seat entertainment venue, the Yaamava’ Theatre, topping off the property’s four-year, $760m expansion.
Meaning “spring” in Serrano, the Band’s native language, Yaamava’ is located in the L.A. exurb of Highland, an area already loaded with entertainment options. With that in mind, the Band sought to distinguish its new theatre - part of one of the largest casino properties on the West Coast with eight restaurants and eight bars, plus an onsite hotel opened last December - from the competition.
That mission was accomplished with the installation of an L-Acoustics K Series sound system designed by L-Acoustics senior Applications Engineer for Installations André Pichette and integrated by the Escondido office of Sound Image. “Clarity, coverage, and sound quality were the keys to what the clients were looking to accomplish with the theatre’s sound,” says Scott Coyle, business development manager for Sound Image's contracting division. “K Series components met all of those criteria, and more.”
The new L-Acoustics system in the Yaamava’ Theater, which opened with a VIP command performance by the Red Hot Chili Peppers, is substantial, underscoring the venue’s scale.
The main PA system comprises a dozen K2 flown per side, each backed by four flown K1-SB subs, and complemented by four stage-stacked KS28 subs per side. Nine coaxial X8 are used to provide stage-lip front-fill, plus two more as out-fills, while nine A15i enclosures - a mix of Wide and Focus models - are paired with six KS21i subs that serve as balcony delays.
Nine VIP suites on the theatre’s second level are each fitted with their own pair of X8, while stage monitoring is achieved via eight X12, two X15 HiQ, and two KS21 subs. A dozen LA12X and eight LA4X amplified controllers power and process the entire loudspeaker setup.
The new PA completes an engaging entertainment environment that also boasts three large video walls, a broadcast-quality video control room with Panasonic cameras, and two large catwalks extending into the house for great lighting and video production adaptability that will bring fans closer to their favourite artists.
“The idea was to make this a first-class, first-choice venue for touring shows,” says Coyle. “K Series gives us the power and sonic quality we need, with the X8 and A15i nicely providing fill coverage in the front and balcony areas. But there’s also plenty of low-frequency energy in the room, supplied by all of those flown K1-SB and stage-stacked KS28 subs. When the Peppers performed, the kick drum sounded simply awesome.”
Sound Image also recently installed L-Acoustics systems in four other areas on the property - Rock n Brews (a Kara II/SB18/KS28 system), Tukut Lounge (Kara II/A15/SB18), Bar Bar (X8/SB15), and Aces Bar (Syva/Syva Low/KS21) - and Coyle reports that those sites sound no less spectacular.
“They’re little rooms, but with a lot of PA, even if it didn’t take a lot of boxes to make that happen - just the right ones,” he says.

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