Sapphire Upgrades Winnipeg’s Centennial Concert Hall with Meyer Sound’s Panther System

Lynden Kidd
Jul 17
2 min read

Updated: Aug 6

📍 Centennial Concert Hall | Winnipeg

When the Manitoba Centennial Centre asked us to help future-proof their flagship venue, we knew it had to be something special. Now, after months of planning, collaboration, and tuning, the Centennial Concert Hall is home to a world-class, permanently installed Meyer Sound Panther rig—the very same system used on tour by artists like Metallica and Ed Sheeran.

And it’s not just about horsepower. It’s about consistency, clarity, and the confidence that every seat in the house will experience the performance exactly as it was meant to be heard.

Built by a Dream Team

This project brought together some of Canada’s best in pro audio:

Sapphire led the integration and commissioning
GerrAudio supplied and supported Meyer Sound’s cutting-edge tech
Meyer Sound themselves brought decades of acoustic innovation to the table

From start to finish, this was a masterclass in collaboration—riggers, system designers, and engineers working side by side to bring the Panther system to life in a venue with deep acoustical nuance.

Why Panther?

Meyer Sound’s Panther is a milestone in line array design—delivering massive SPL (up to 150 dB peak), pristine detail, and unmatched tonal balance in a lightweight, compact cabinet.

Key specs:

Dual 12″ woofers and 3″ HF compression drivers
Three horizontal coverage patterns (80°, 95°, 110°) for venue flexibility
Integrated Milan AVB networking and real-time telemetry
Self-powered for simpler deployment and clean signal flow
IP55 rated, ruggedized for permanent install durability

This system was meticulously tailored to the hall’s architecture using Meyer Sound MAPP 3D modeling—ensuring perfect coverage across the main floor, mezzanine, and balconies.

Tuning for Impact

Once the loudspeaker system was fully deployed and flown, detailed calibration began. Using Meyer Sound’s Compass control software, our team performed a comprehensive tuning process that included:

Time alignment of all loudspeakers to ensure phase coherence and a unified wavefront for the audience
EQ adjustment to achieve consistent tonal balance across the coverage area
Subwoofer configuration in a cardioid pattern to reduce rearward low-frequency energy, improving clarity on stage and minimizing bass buildup at the rear of the room.

The end result is a system that delivers high intelligibility and musicality, while remaining sonically transparent—supporting the performance without drawing attention to itself.

Permanent Power, Zero Compromises

Before this install, the hall often had to rent large-format systems for bigger productions—only to tear them down again after each show.

Now, they don’t have to.

The new system is:

Always show-ready
Calibrated for their exact space
Capable of handling orchestras, musicals, choirs, and arena-sized artists with no compromises

As Robert Olson, CEO of the Centennial Centre, shared, this permanent install brings both peace of mind and performance power—eliminating logistical headaches while elevating every event.