Neushoorn, a 750-capacity live venue in Leeuwarden, Netherlands has upgraded its main hall sound system to introduce state-of-the-art spatial audio capability. Delivered by More AV in collaboration with Funktion-One and Holophonix, the new setup expands the existing Funktion-One system to create a fully immersive audio environment for the venue’s programme of live music, club events and artistic performances.

[Photos by Linda Koster and Patrick Rooney]

The project builds on a long-standing relationship between Neushoorn and More AV, dating back to the original Funktion-One installation in 2015. When the venue began planning the next phase of its development, the aim was to enhance the existing system and deliver an even more engaging audience experience.

“We are the first core venue in the Netherlands, and probably even in Benelux, to equip a main stage in this way,” says Michiel Cornelisse, Head of Technical at Neushoorn. “The desire to renew the PA, upgrade it and future-proof it led to the idea of immersive audio.”

At that stage, there wasn’t a Funktion-One approved spatial audio system. However, that began to change at ISE 2025 in Barcelona, where Funktion-One founder and R&D Director Tony Andrews first encountered Holophonix. Around the same time, Funktion-One was finalising development of the PSM15 stage monitor, which would prove to be the perfect loudspeaker for this project.

Andrews had been sceptical of the recent popularity of immersive audio, due to most systems’ reliance on heavy processing and the resulting diminishment of the audio signal. Having pioneered work in this area with explorations into ambisonics in the early 1990s, his view has long been that clarity, low distortion and accurate reproduction enable left-right systems to deliver immersive listening experiences through convincing stereo imaging.

When Andrews heard the Holophonix spatial audio platform for the first time, he was pleasantly surprised: “What struck me first was the audio quality, particularly the transparency of the high frequency. Furthermore, it isn’t a geometry-dependent system; the venue was able to retain the Funktion-One stereo configuration and add supplementary loudspeakers without having to build a geometrically perfect array. It soon became clear that the Holophonix team were serious, technically minded and open in their approach.

“When we set up a demo in our workshop and ran it with a live multi-track, I was very impressed. At that point, we knew we had exactly what the venue was looking for; a universal platform that preserves sonic integrity while extending what’s physically possible in the room. We will only ever pursue something when genuine progress is possible. With this system and the people involved, that’s exactly what is happening.”

[L-R:Funktion-One's Will Wright, More AV's Remco van der Werff, Neushoorn's Michiel Cornelisse, More AV's Ted Beets, Holophonix's Francesco Papaleo]

As the project gathered pace, Funktion-One was in the final stages of developing its new stage monitor – the PSM15. “It turned out to perfectly meet the requirements of an immersive system,” says Cornelisse. “More AV then played a crucial role. In May last year they took us to England, where we were the first people outside Funktion-One to hear and see the new loudspeaker. That confirmed our belief – it was absolutely incredible.”

To expand the system at Neushoorn, 12 Funktion-One PSM15 loudspeakers have been deployed throughout the venue. Five are positioned above the stage for the main floor, with seven more covering the balcony and sides. Front fill is provided by five F61 loudspeakers, with four F1201.2 across the rear of the hall and 13 F61 loudspeakers providing balcony backfill.

The PSM15 combines several attributes that make it both an excellent stage monitor and very effective in a spatial audio system. Remco van der Werff, founder of More AV, explains: “It is full range with excellent low-frequency performance, combines a compact form factor with high output and delivers an ideal dispersion pattern with very consistent directivity. In this kind of application, that consistency is essential.” At Neushoorn, the waveguide has been rotated to provide 70° horizontal by 50° vertical dispersion, ensuring broader lateral coverage while maintaining controlled vertical directivity.

More AV coordinated system design and delivery in collaboration with Funktion-One and Holophonix. The project was completed in under a year. “That is really down to the perfect synergy between Funktion-One, More AV and Holophonix,” says Cornelisse. “All three parties look beyond the beaten path and are not afraid to challenge the status quo.”

A fundamental requirement was to preserve the character of the existing Funktion-One system while introducing spatial capability. “The venue already loved the system they had,” says Funktion-One Live Sound & Product Support Engineer Will Wright. “The goal was to keep that left-right system and add another layer on top.”

Holophonix’s processing platform supports that approach. “Our processor does not alter the loudspeaker sound signature,” explains Justin Bacle, Head of Education and Training at Holophonix. “You retain the recognisable Funktion-One sound while adding spatial control."

Reflecting on the project, van der Werff says: “This is a special project, both for Neushoorn and for us. We were proud when we installed the Funktion-One system in the hall 11 years ago when it first opened and it is inspiring to now take that experience to the next level. Neushoorn’s passion to offer its audience something extraordinary makes this collaboration a real pleasure.”