d&b’s CCL system delivers cardioid clarity for Stockholm’s Folkoperan.
Stockholm’s Folkoperan is benefiting from the cardioid performance of a brand new CCL system from d&b audiotechnik . . .
Situated in the Stockholm district of Södermalm, Folkoperan has, since 1976, been an opera house with a difference. As a cultural counterpoint to the classical grandeur of the Royal Swedish Opera, Folkoperan has pioneered ‘opera for the people’, eschewing formality and hosting experimental, intimate and broadly ‘alternative’ productions.
In 2025, with an ageing, failing sound system in place, the venue’s technical team, led by Head of Technical Mina Lundstedt, began looking for a replacement. This was not so much for its own, unamplified operatic productions, but for the wider range of shows they hosted – including an upcoming musical. With this deadline in mind, they had to move fast.
Opting for d&b
They turned to one of Sweden’s most renowned sound system specialists – and an experienced d&b advocate – Jacob Julin of Mono Plus. With his guidance, they settled on a system based around one of d&b’s latest innovations – CCL (Compact Cardioid Line Array), the first to be installed in the country.
“It’s a nice hall – around 500 capacity,” says Julin, “so we wanted something that could deliver that power and clarity, but also cardioid control, within that smaller room. CCL is an ideal solution.”
The Folkoperan team settled on CCL both for its compact size and because they were impressed by its potential. “They really liked what they saw in the ArrayCalc modelling of CCL’s performance – the difference in coverage, and the even SPL values across the audience zone,” says Julin. “ArrayCalc really did its job there!
CCL Solution
The main system uses two hangs of six CCL cabinets – each with four CCL8 and two CCL12. These are supplemented by low-end from four CCL-SUBs, situated beneath the stage front as a simple bass array.
Then, 44S loudspeakers are used for front-fills and in-fills, while a further four 44S cabinets serve the furthest rows below the balcony. “There’s a little drop of HF there that the CCLs can’t fully reach, because they have to hang quite high to keep out of sight line,” Julin explains.
Thanks to CCL’s passive design enabling single channel amplifier operation (an industry first in this category), the whole main system is powered by just two 25D and two 5D amplifiers.
Connected to the main system via Dante is a smaller, flexible system for the foyer, where a small pop-up stage can be used in various locations. This consists of four 44S and a single Bi8-SUB, all flown as a central array which can be directed depending on the stage position. Signals can be routed to either system for maximum flexibility.
Multi-purpose enablement
Client feedback has been “fantastic” says Julin. “They haven’t used it so much in their own productions, but they’ve had a number of guest shows and performances. For example, they recently hosted a jazz concert, which had loads of really good comments!”
“Hearing that was very nice because as this was the first time we’d used the system. It’s amplified, yes, but it sounds natural. It worked really well.”
Indeed, the quality of sound delivered is remarkable, with the CCL’s inherent cardioid performance avoiding reflections and ‘muddiness’ – keeping the sound clean and controlled in this intimate space.
For Julin, this is a special installation. Not only is it his first chance to specify CCL for a performance venue, but coincidentally he will have the opportunity to use the system personally as sound designer for this year’s annual festive production of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol.
