The Reading Hexagon

The Reading Hexagon is one of Berkshire’s most recognisable cultural venues. Opened in 1977 and designed by RMJM, its distinctive arena-style seating created strong sightlines and an intimate atmosphere.

But while visually bold, the design presented significant acoustic challenges.

When it came time to modernise the venue’s sound system, Audiotek was appointed to deliver a theatre audio installation that would solve decades-old coverage inconsistencies. Without compromising the architectural identity of The Reading Hexagon.

This wasn’t simply a PA replacement. It was a full acoustic reset.

Project Challenges at The Reading Hexagon

Arena-style seating works brilliantly for visibility. For sound? It’s less forgiving.

The challenges included:

Complex Acoustics

Wide seating geometry made even coverage difficult.
Reflective balcony fronts caused audio to bounce back towards the stage.
Under-balcony areas suffered from tonal imbalance and reduced clarity.

Structural Constraints

Asbestos within the building fabric restricted installation routes.
Infrastructure never designed for modern audio systems required careful integration.

Variable Seating Configuration

Retractable stalls seating created shallow overhangs.
Reduced headroom under balcony areas limited speaker positioning options.

The result prior to upgrade: inconsistent audience experience and frustration for visiting productions.

For The Reading Hexagon, every seat needed to sound the same (not just the premium ones).

Project Scope – Theatre Audio Installation at The Reading Hexagon

We designed (and installed) a complete L-Acoustics system tailored specifically to the venue’s geometry.

The installation included:

PA System Configuration

Left–Right–Centre system
Flown subwoofers
Out fills
Front fills
Stage fills

Infrastructure

3,500 metres of new cabling
Six custom patch panels
Dedicated stage cabling

Mixing & Control

128-channel Allen & Heath S7000 mixing console
Dante integration
dLive system architecture
Digital and analogue stage boxes

Every component was modelled before installation began.

Design Approach: Modelling Before Metal

Guesswork has no place in modern theatre audio installation.

We collaborated with L-Acoustics using advanced acoustic modelling software to simulate how sound would behave inside The Reading Hexagon before a single loudspeaker was flown.

This allowed us to:

Predict coverage accuracy.
Minimise reflective interference.
Optimise speaker placement for under-balcony zones.
Validate results against final measured performance.

The modelling was extremely accurate when compared with post-install data. Which equates to reduced risk for the the project as a whole. Modelling avoids costly revisions, and ensures confidence in the final outcome.

Even the smallest under-balcony areas (some covering fewer than 10 seats) received dedicated attention and pre-installation modelling.

No acoustic blind spots. No compromise zones.

Installation & Execution

Working within an operational arts venue requires can be tricky. Every aspect of the upgrade had to work around the schedule. We carefully coordinated installation around venue programming, ensuring minimal disruption to scheduled events.

All rigging underwent full structural validation.
Safety sign-off was completed in line with theatre compliance standards.
System tuning was carried out zone by zone to ensure tonal consistency across the entire auditorium.

The result?

Smooth, even coverage from front row to highest balcony.

Power when needed. Precision at all times.

Commercial & Operational Impact

Upgrading The Reading Hexagon was not just a technical decision. It was a commercial one.

Operational Benefits

Consistent sound reduces engineer compensation time.
Visiting productions can plug in and perform with confidence.
Improved clarity for speech-led events and conferences.

Audience Experience

Even tonal balance in every seat.
Improved bass definition without boom.
Clear high-frequency detail without harshness.

Reputation Enhancement

Increased rider acceptance.
Positive feedback from touring engineers.
Elevated perception of the venue within the South of England.

When productions actively choose to use the in-house system rather than touring their own, that’s when you know it’s working.

Industry Feedback About The Reading Heaxagon Update

Chris Kmiec, Sales Director, Audiotek
“Technically, this was a complex project. The geometry of The Reading Hexagon leaves no room for lazy design. Every coverage zone had to be earned. The modelling allowed us to solve problems before they became site issues. The final system is something our engineering team is genuinely proud of.”

Jim Phillips, Stage Manager, Come What May
“As a system tech, I was blown away. No dead spots. That’s incredibly rare in a venue of this shape. The detail is outstanding — even under balconies. It’s one of the best theatre installs I’ve experienced in the UK.”

Tom Liddle, Chief Electrician, The Reading Hexagon
“It’s transformed the space. Every production that comes through uses the system. The bass is rich, the top end is clear, and every seat gets the same experience. That’s what matters.”