Digital Sound Reinforcement with AVE ASCOLTO at the Basilica of Saint Mary of the Angels
The Papal Basilica of Saint Mary of the Angels in Assisi, Italy is one of the country's most important sacred buildings. Measuring approximately 126 metres in length and 65 metres in width, with exceptionally long reverberation times, its monumental interior represents a particularly demanding environment for modern sound reinforcement.
The new audio installation was designed as a fully digital solution based on the AVE ASCOLTO FF Series. The objective was to achieve high speech intelligibility and precise coverage throughout the different listening areas while limiting unnecessary acoustic energy on highly reflective surfaces.
A Particularly Challenging Acoustic Environment
Acoustic measurements inside the Basilica showed reverberation times of approximately 8.5 seconds at 250 Hz and 7.5 seconds at 500 Hz. Under such conditions, sound pressure level alone cannot provide good speech intelligibility. Precise control of vertical sound dispersion becomes essential.
Particular attention was required around the Porziuncola, the historic small chapel located directly beneath the Basilica's large dome. In this area, accurate sound steering is especially important to reduce unwanted reflections within the vast surrounding space.
Technical Solution: ASCOLTO FF with Digital Beam Steering
Digitally steerable column loudspeakers from the ASCOLTO FF Series were selected for the installation. Electronic control of the vertical dispersion allows acoustic energy to be directed precisely towards the listening areas while significantly reducing excitation of ceilings, vaults and other reflective surfaces.
The latest ASCOLTO FF technology also supports multiple independently controlled beams, providing additional flexibility when different listening areas have to be covered from the same loudspeaker position.
Installed Loudspeaker Systems
- Presbytery and Papal Altar: 4 × ASCOLTO FF0870
- Congregation area in front of the altar: 2 × ASCOLTO FF2470
- Porziuncola: 4 × ASCOLTO FF1670
- Central nave: 10 × ASCOLTO FF0870
- Side aisles: 14 × AVE Atlantic analogue column loudspeakers
Technical and Acoustic Benefits
- High speech intelligibility even with very long reverberation times
- Precise electronically steerable vertical dispersion
- Reduced unwanted reflections from walls and vaults
- Multi-beam technology for complex listening areas
- Consistent sound coverage throughout the Basilica
- Discreet integration within the monumental architecture
Fully Digital Audio Distribution over Dante
The ASCOLTO loudspeaker systems are integrated into a fully digital Dante audio network. The installation is divided into four main zones interconnected through a 10 Gbit fibre-optic infrastructure.
This allows audio signals to be distributed flexibly and reliably across the considerable distances within the Basilica while providing the flexibility required for its different liturgical and event configurations.
System Design and Installation by Modus s.r.l.
The system was designed and installed by Italian system integrator Modus s.r.l.. The complete solution was carefully adapted to the exceptional acoustics of the Basilica and to the requirements of its different sound reinforcement zones.
Proven During a Major International Event
The new system demonstrated its capabilities during a major Holy Mass on 6 August 2026, attended by more than 2,000 young Franciscans inside the Basilica and in the surrounding outdoor areas.
Vatican Media was also present for the live broadcast. The installation therefore had to provide clear and consistent reinforcement for the congregation while also supporting the requirements of a professional international broadcast production.
Result
The new sound reinforcement system at the Basilica of Saint Mary of the Angels demonstrates how digital beam steering, Dante audio networking and careful acoustic system design can be combined to achieve high speech intelligibility even in extremely reverberant historic spaces.
Using the ASCOLTO FF Series, acoustic energy can be concentrated on the listening areas while reducing unnecessary excitation of the Basilica's monumental surfaces. The installation combines modern audio technology with the discretion required in one of Italy's most important sacred buildings.
Impressions from the Basilica of Saint Mary of the Angels
The Papal Basilica of Saint Mary of the Angels in Assisi, Italy is one of the country's most important sacred buildings. Measuring approximately 126 metres in length and 65 metres in width, with exceptionally long reverberation times, its monumental interior represents a particularly demanding environment for modern sound reinforcement.
The new audio installation was designed as a fully digital solution based on the AVE ASCOLTO FF Series. The objective was to achieve high speech intelligibility and precise coverage throughout the different listening areas while limiting unnecessary acoustic energy on highly reflective surfaces.
A Particularly Challenging Acoustic Environment
Acoustic measurements inside the Basilica showed reverberation times of approximately 8.5 seconds at 250 Hz and 7.5 seconds at 500 Hz. Under such conditions, sound pressure level alone cannot provide good speech intelligibility. Precise control of vertical sound dispersion becomes essential.
Particular attention was required around the Porziuncola, the historic small chapel located directly beneath the Basilica's large dome. In this area, accurate sound steering is especially important to reduce unwanted reflections within the vast surrounding space.
Technical Solution: ASCOLTO FF with Digital Beam Steering
Digitally steerable column loudspeakers from the ASCOLTO FF Series were selected for the installation. Electronic control of the vertical dispersion allows acoustic energy to be directed precisely towards the listening areas while significantly reducing excitation of ceilings, vaults and other reflective surfaces.
The latest ASCOLTO FF technology also supports multiple independently controlled beams, providing additional flexibility when different listening areas have to be covered from the same loudspeaker position.
Installed Loudspeaker Systems
- Presbytery and Papal Altar: 4 × ASCOLTO FF0870
- Congregation area in front of the altar: 2 × ASCOLTO FF2470
- Porziuncola: 4 × ASCOLTO FF1670
- Central nave: 10 × ASCOLTO FF0870
- Side aisles: 14 × AVE Atlantic analogue column loudspeakers
Technical and Acoustic Benefits
- High speech intelligibility even with very long reverberation times
- Precise electronically steerable vertical dispersion
- Reduced unwanted reflections from walls and vaults
- Multi-beam technology for complex listening areas
- Consistent sound coverage throughout the Basilica
- Discreet integration within the monumental architecture
Fully Digital Audio Distribution over Dante
The ASCOLTO loudspeaker systems are integrated into a fully digital Dante audio network. The installation is divided into four main zones interconnected through a 10 Gbit fibre-optic infrastructure.
This allows audio signals to be distributed flexibly and reliably across the considerable distances within the Basilica while providing the flexibility required for its different liturgical and event configurations.
System Design and Installation by Modus s.r.l.
The system was designed and installed by Italian system integrator Modus s.r.l.. The complete solution was carefully adapted to the exceptional acoustics of the Basilica and to the requirements of its different sound reinforcement zones.
Proven During a Major International Event
The new system demonstrated its capabilities during a major Holy Mass on 6 August 2026, attended by more than 2,000 young Franciscans inside the Basilica and in the surrounding outdoor areas.
Vatican Media was also present for the live broadcast. The installation therefore had to provide clear and consistent reinforcement for the congregation while also supporting the requirements of a professional international broadcast production.
Result
The new sound reinforcement system at the Basilica of Saint Mary of the Angels demonstrates how digital beam steering, Dante audio networking and careful acoustic system design can be combined to achieve high speech intelligibility even in extremely reverberant historic spaces.
Using the ASCOLTO FF Series, acoustic energy can be concentrated on the listening areas while reducing unnecessary excitation of the Basilica's monumental surfaces. The installation combines modern audio technology with the discretion required in one of Italy's most important sacred buildings.
Impressions from the Basilica of Saint Mary of the Angels
