His idea was to use a line array—a thin, tall column of drivers. "The first prototype told us this was a breakthrough," says Jacob. Because of its flag-pole shape, this speaker confined most of the sound energy in a wide, flat wedge. Unlike conventional loudspeakers, sound levels diminished very slowly with distance. And tone and coverage were more even and consistent.

Bose L1™ speaker technology, the result of Henricksen's innovation, is now used by many performers in small-to-medium venues. An easily portable L1 system can be placed behind each musician. The performers then have complete control over their sound, and know exactly what their audience is hearing. At the front of the stage or the back of the house, in front of the speaker or off to the side, everyone hears the same clear, detailed sound—at nearly the same volume.

    

Innovative engineering in both the Corporate Center auditorium and the L1 system has enhanced the quality of live audio for everyone in the house. And the simplicity of fluid, spontaneous communication between presenters and audience transforms not just the experience, but the performance itself.

As Jacob notes, "The quality of the environment actually changes the quality of the art."

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