Evans Amphitheater at Cain Park, one of the country’s oldest municipally owned arts parks, has entered a new sonic era with a Meyer Sound system designed and installed by Tone Proper AV. The upgrade centers on 16 PANTHER™ large-format linear line array loudspeakers and six 2100-LFC™ low-frequency control elements, delivering even coverage from the pavilion to the lawn while minimizing spill into the surrounding neighborhood.

Opened in 1938 as a Works Progress Administration project, the amphitheater has long been a cultural anchor for Cleveland Heights, but its 30-year-old sound system had served far beyond its expected lifespan. When it came time to upgrade, Cain Park Production Manager Scott Stanley explored numerous systems. Stanley, who has three decades of experience in live sound, had first encountered PANTHER through a trusted colleague. “One of the guys I worked with told me, ‘You need to hear the system, it’s absolutely the most incredible system you’ve ever heard,’” he says. After comparing options, it was clear that PANTHER would be the perfect fit. “For the dollar amount for the system that we got, it was the smartest path forward for us,” Stanley says. “For us, it was like jumping 40 years into the future.”

Tone Proper AV CEO Nick Moon says the choice of PANTHER over smaller line arrays was made with long-term flexibility in mind. “You want to have more than you think you need, because you never want to be in a situation where you’re wishing for more gas in the tank,” he explains. “With this system, that’s never going to be an issue.”

The partially covered, 3,000-capacity amphitheater sits in the middle of a residential neighborhood, a point of pride—and a constraint. “Right behind the lawn are houses,” says Stanley.

Moon and team modeled the venue in Meyer Sound’s MAPP 3D™ system design and prediction tool, building arrays that keep energy in the listening area and out of the neighborhood. “We spent the time to make sure that the coverage was right on the audience, and nowhere else,” says Moon. “The subs are in a cardioid configuration…we were able to keep everything kind of right where we needed to keep it.”

That precision translates into a consistent listening experience across the venue. “When we got the system dialed into our space, you could walk from the front to the back and it doesn’t change at all,” says Stanley. “It was even more impressive than I was expecting.”

Stanley notes a dramatic increase in headroom and impact, adding that artists who typically demand high SPLs are often surprised by the system’s capabilities: “Day of show, we’re often running at 86 dB because it feels so intense that it seems louder than it really is. Then the neighbors are really happy.”

This summer, Evans Amphitheater was able to keep the Meyer Sound system in place for every act, saving labor while meeting touring expectations. “This is the first year that we did not have to take the P.A. down,” says Stanley. “Some acts that brought their own systems in the past came through saying, ‘We’re really excited to try the system out.’ Afterward, crews were telling us, ‘This was the most fun we’ve had mixing. We love the sound system and can’t wait to use it again.’”

The new system includes 10 MJF-210™ stage monitors, a key upgrade for performers. “Every tour that we had last year, every band brought Meyer Sound monitors,” says Stanley. “One drummer I worked with used to use two monitors and blow them out. They switched to these and he only uses one—and he doesn’t even turn it up.”

Cain Park’s seasonal staff includes many early-career technicians, and the new platform has become a hands-on classroom. “This system lets us give brand-new crew members top-of-the-line gear to train on,” says Billy Drury, technical operations manager. “The usability for people with no previous knowledge is great,” adds Stanley. “It’s intuitive.”

Audience response has been immediate. “We’ve heard people say that was the best it’s ever sounded here,” Stanley says. The system has also helped raise the venue’s profile among national acts. “These bigger bands are reaching out to us now: ‘We want to use your sound system.’” And the upgrade is also drawing new audiences closer to home. “One of the comments I hear the most is, ‘I didn’t even know this place existed,’” he adds. “Now those people are coming back again and again. This system has helped make Cain Park their favorite venue.”

About Meyer Sound
Founded in 1979 by John and Helen Meyer, Meyer Sound is the global leader and innovator in self-powered loudspeaker systems, active acoustics, spatial sound mixing, and sound system design and prediction tools. Headquartered in Berkeley, California, with operations globally, the company is driven by a singular mission: to create the best sonic experiences in the world. With more than 100 patents and a legacy of breakthrough technologies—including the first dedicated loudspeaker processors and large-scale self-powered arrays—Meyer Sound combines scientific innovation with precision craftsmanship. Its premium systems power the world’s most iconic concert tours and festivals, theatrical productions, cinemas, houses of worship, educational institutions, and more. The company champions sustainable manufacturing and invests in the future of sound through education and global partnerships.