ATLANTA, Georgia, May 2026 — In the northern suburbs of Atlanta, Georgia, the Episcopal Cathedral of St. Philip stands as a symbol of community and faith on Peachtree Road, otherwise known as “Jesus Junction”. The cathedral first opened in 1962 and has since become one of the largest Episcopal congregations in the United States. Its Gothic Revival architecture stands out against the modern city backdrop and creates an inspiring acoustic setting for the choir and pipe organ. However, the same could not be said for the cathedral’s ageing audio technology. In need of an upgraded sound system to support weekly services, the cathedral turned to Renkus-Heinz for modern, integrated custom audio engineering.

Overcoming Acoustic Complexities in Houses of Worship

With stone walls, high ceilings and hard floors, the Cathedral of St. Philip is a highly reverberant space, making speech intelligibility almost impossible with the existing system. “The previous sound system had been in place for over twenty years, cobbled together over time with parts that didn’t match,” says James Denmon of Dynamic AV Systems, who led the specialized high-end installation project. “We were approached by the consultant, Newcomb & Boyd, who had been tasked with delivering upgraded video and audio solutions that would optimize clarity and minimize reverberation. The regional representative for Renkus-Heinz, Griffith Sales Associates, pointed them in our direction due to our proven track record with tailored installations for churches and the ICONYX system.”

In order to design a system that would address these complex architectural and acoustic challenges, Newcomb & Boyd created an EASE model of the cathedral. This allowed them—in conjunction with the team at Dynamic AV Systems—to precisely determine which loudspeakers were best suited to the historic environment. “We have worked with Renkus-Heinz plenty of times in the past. Knowing that speech intelligibility was the main goal, their ICONYX steerable system was the obvious choice for this venue,” Denmon states.

Deploying Advanced Sound System Custom Audio Engineering

“At the front of the hall we deployed two IC24-RD Digital Steerable Line Array loudspeaker systems as mains, supported by two IC8-RD arrays for the transepts at the sides,” Denmon continues. “Through to the back of the room we installed ten IC16-RD columns. The ability to steer sound directly to the audience is a real game-changer for acoustically complex venues such as this cathedral.”

“The ICONYX system has dramatically enhanced speech intelligibility for services of all sizes. One parishioner told us that after attending the Cathedral of St. Philip for many years, she could finally understand everything that was being said.”

Throughout the installation process, the cathedral continued to rely on the existing system for regular services. Despite the added complexity, the Dynamic AV team carefully worked around the legacy equipment, ensuring that worship services proceeded seamlessly without interruption.

Tailored Network AV Solutions for Modern Venues

However, when it came to controlling the system, there were some initial network challenges. “The customer wanted to stick with their existing network provided by their IT company, but this simply wasn’t feasible with the updated infrastructure,” explains Denmon. Ultimately, Dynamic AV developed a dedicated, standalone AV network, utilizing Dante for intuitive, user-friendly Front of House (FOH) control. This specialized approach ensures the network remains robust, clean, and perfectly suited for commercial and professional spaces/businesses alike.

“We were able to get the system aimed, delayed, and equalized, with the flexibility to adapt for different scenarios. Wherever you are in the room, you can hear at least one of the IC loudspeakers.” For smaller services or events with fewer than 100 people, staff can easily turn off the back arrays to leave only the front IC24s, removing unnecessary sound reflections for pristine clarity, while the full system delivers unmatched coverage to the entire congregation.

Preserving Structural and Aesthetic Integrity

The interior aesthetic is also a key part of the cathedral’s character, making it an essential aspect of architectural hardware integration. While the previous system had not taken this into account—leaving messy cables on display alongside bold, mismatched loudspeakers—Dynamic AV Systems made sure that the Renkus-Heinz system minimized visual disruption. “The loudspeakers were custom-painted in a color specified by the client to match the historic stonework,” Denmon reveals. “Working with the electricians, we also created custom-painted wire molds to run up the stone columns. Some elements now blend in so well that people were asking when the new system would be installed!”

Thanks to the strategic collaboration with Newcomb & Boyd, Renkus-Heinz, and the cathedral’s in-house engineering group, Dynamic AV Systems successfully overcame the venue’s architectural complexities to deliver a cutting-edge sound system. It stands as a prime example of premium audio-visual solutions engineered for demanding environments.

“It’s hard to claim that any single loudspeaker can suit every room, but Renkus-Heinz’s steerable arrays come very close.” With the new system seamlessly in place, the cathedral’s acoustic challenges have been definitively resolved, while the experience for parishioners has been fundamentally enhanced to ensure more connected and immersive worship for years to come.