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St Francis of Assisi Basilica Italy Audio System Upgrade

Case Study: Delivering Clear Sound at One of Italy’s Most Iconic Spiritual Landmarks

The Opportunity

As one of the most visited spiritual landmarks in the world, the Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi welcomes millions of pilgrims each year. The site’s cultural and religious importance, coupled with its complex architecture, made providing clear, intelligible sound a longstanding challenge. With upper and lower church squares, centuries-old stone walls, and outdoor spaces extending up to 70 meters, the Basilica required an audio system capable of maintaining clarity across large areas without intruding on its historic character.

The Solution

To meet these requirements, FP Service and Exhibo designed and integrated a complete HARMAN Professional system featuring JBL Intellivox, BSS, and AMX technologies. The installation included six JBL Intellivox HP-DS370 loudspeakers and two JBL Intellivox HP-DS170 loudspeakers, each custom-coloured to blend into the Basilica’s environment. The Intellivox arrays provided controlled vertical dispersion and uniform sound pressure levels, ensuring exceptional speech intelligibility while minimising reflections and spill.

Signal processing and distribution were handled by a BSS BLU-160 with BLU-DAN and additional BLU input and output cards. For intuitive system operation, AMX Varia SL-50 touch panels were installed at key control points, supported by AMX Muse 2300 processors and N2600 Series encoders and decoders. The configuration allowed staff to manage audio and video seamlessly throughout the site.

According to Basilica Communications Director, Giulio Cesareo, the results exceeded expectations. “The intelligibility is really impressive,” he said. “The system enhances our ability to share the message of St. Francis with clarity, while remaining respectful of the Basilica’s history and sacred environment.”

The Result

The new system has transformed the visitor and worship experience across the Basilica’s outdoor and indoor spaces. Pilgrims and guests now hear services, readings, and musical elements with clarity throughout both squares. The combination of JBL Intellivox precision, BSS reliability, and AMX control simplicity has allowed the Basilica to preserve its architectural integrity while modernising its communication infrastructure.

By integrating advanced audio and control technologies within a historic framework, the Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi has created an environment where every message resonates clearly, honoring both the legacy of St. Francis and the needs of today’s global visitors.

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