Sennheiser Spectera is hopelessly devoted to sound

Sennheiser Spectera is hopelessly devoted to sound. Image Matt Crockett

Secret Cinema has used Sennheiser’s wireless audio system to deliver an immersive experience across a massive venue

When it came to sound, Secret Cinema’s Grease was the word, thanks to Sennheiser’s Spectera wideband wireless system. This immersive production at Evolution London marked one of the largest deployments of this technology in the UK, as audiences were transported into the iconic world of Rydell High.

Set across a large venue with both indoor and outdoor areas, the production featured 11 stages in total, including a full fairground. This dynamic setting created an exciting performance for audiences to follow but also significant challenges for wireless audio coverage.

The Spectera system successfully provided comprehensive coverage for 30 cast members, delivering 40 microphone and 10 IEM mixes across the entire venue. Cast members needed only a single beltpack that handled both microphone transmission and in-ear monitor reception. “When I did a briefing with the cast and told them they only needed one pack for both IEMs and microphone, they burst into spontaneous applause,” recalled Gareth Fry, sound designer. Performers were also equipped with Sennheiser HM 200 headsets, ensuring clarity and comfort during high-energy scenes.

Preparation was also significantly faster with the Spectera system, and the team noted that the overall performance was more robust. With fewer amplifiers and lower power use, the system required less current and fewer active devices, making it a more sustainable choice overall. The results reinforced Sennheiser’s reputation as a forward-thinking company for large-scale productions.

Additionally, the system’s advanced monitoring capabilities provided insight into performer equipment status. “It’s a two-way system that’s in communication with the control racks. With the IEMs, we could see from the control system if somebody had accidentally turned down their IEM headphone volume, and the system can detect if they’ve accidentally pulled the headphone plug out,” explained Fry.

The performance culminated outside as audiences journeyed through a funhouse. Image Danny Kaan

Tom Lishman, production sound engineer, emphasised the critical role the system played in the show’s success. “We completely relied on the IEM technology to keep the cast in time in this huge building, and it worked on every stage,” he said. “I don’t think we could have achieved that with any other technology. We were aware we were doing things that hadn’t been done before.”

With sound as smooth as greased lightnin’, Spectera turned Secret Cinema’s Grease into a unqiue experience, just as it did on Danish EDM duo Infernal’s sold‑out shows at Copenhagen’s Vega.

Find out more at sennheiser.com/en-gb