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Temple De Hirsch Sinai Upgraded Sanctuary Audio

The Seattle congregation integrated a new audio system into its historic 1960 sanctuary to improve acoustics.

Updated on Sept. 29, 2026 in Judaism

Flat opaque gouache-painted illustration of a minimalist speaker array mounted on a mid-century wooden interior soffit, depicting audio infrastructure.
Temple De Hirsch Sinai in Seattle has completed an audio system upgrade in its historic Alhadeff Sanctuary to improve sound distribution across flexible seating. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Temple De Hirsch Sinai has completed a new audio system installation at its Alhadeff Sanctuary in Seattle. The upgrade addresses challenges posed by the facility's unique structural constraints and flexible seating arrangements.

Why it matters

The installation solves acoustic issues caused by variable seating configurations and limited overhead rigging options. It allows for clearer sound distribution across the sanctuary without requiring significant structural modifications to the mid-century architecture.

The system utilizes DML500 panels designed with a 165-degree conical coverage pattern and LS212 subwoofers. These panels feature a custom powder-coated finish matched to specific design requirements.

The players

Temple De Hirsch Sinai

This is a Jewish congregation serving members across its campuses in Seattle and Bellevue.

FlatPanel Audio

This is the company that supplied and installed the customized speaker panels for the sanctuary.

The details

Engineers mounted the new audio equipment along the perimeter soffit of the sanctuary to bypass existing structural limitations. The custom powder-coating process ensured the hardware blended seamlessly with the interior aesthetic established in 1960.

Timeline

  1. 1899: Temple De Hirsch was organized.

  2. 1960: The Alhadeff Sanctuary was completed.

  3. 1961: Temple Sinai was founded.

  4. 1971: The two congregations merged.

Culture Shift

The integration of modern audio technology into the 1960 Alhadeff Sanctuary highlights a growing trend of retrofitting legacy houses of worship with high-performance systems. This shift reflects a move toward preserving historic aesthetics while meeting modern demands for accessibility and acoustic clarity.

Congregants attending services at the Alhadeff Sanctuary will experience more consistent sound quality regardless of where they are seated. The hardware is mounted to maintain the original architectural look of the 1960s space, minimizing visual distraction for attendees.

The takeaway

Historic venues often require highly customized solutions to overcome the acoustic hurdles inherent in older architectural designs. Seeking specialized audio solutions can preserve a buildings character while significantly enhancing the experience for visitors.

Further reading

Learn more about local faith communities in our Judaism section.

More information

For more information on the technology used, visit the FlatPanel Audio manufacturer website.

Source note: This article includes information reported by FOH | Front of House Magazine.

Live Poll

Should historic venues prioritize preserving original architecture over upgrading internal equipment?