Echostage installs L-Acoustics L Series system to meet touring EDM demands
Background and context
Echostage, the 3,000-capacity electronic music venue in Washington, D.C., has upgraded its main sound system with an L-Acoustics L Series rig, aiming to align the club’s audio capabilities with current touring standards in EDM and live dance music.
The converted warehouse in the city’s Langdon neighborhood opened in 2012 and has since become a major stop for international DJs and electronic artists. Regularly listed in DJ Mag’s global venue rankings, Echostage has hosted acts including Tiësto, Calvin Harris, Disclosure, Lorde, Sam Smith, Kaytranada and David Guetta.
In 2020, promoter Insomniac partnered with Echostage, Project GLOW Fest and Club GLOW, further strengthening the venue’s touring profile and increasing the pressure on its technical infrastructure to keep pace with artist expectations and rider requirements.
Key announcement
The venue has now installed an L-Acoustics L Series concert sound system as its new house rig. The system was designed and integrated by Frederick, Maryland-based Showtime Sound.
The main left-right arrays each consist of one L2 over one L2D module. Behind each main array, four KS28 subwoofers are flown in a cardioid configuration to manage low-frequency directivity. Along the front of the stage, 16 additional KS28 subs are deployed in eight stacks of two to reinforce low end across the dancefloor.
For coverage outside the main hangs, one A15 Focus over two A15 Wide cabinets is flown per side as out-fills. Two further pairs of A15 Wide are placed on top of the ground subs to handle front-fill duties. All L Series and A Series enclosures are driven by LA7.16i amplified controllers, while LA12X units power the KS28 subwoofers.
A separate monitoring system for performers uses three Kara II over a KS21 sub on each side of the DJ position, providing stereo monitoring on stage. This monitor setup is powered by three LA12X and one LA4X amplified controller.
Industry impact
For touring EDM productions, the Echostage upgrade reflects a wider trend: major dance venues increasingly specifying the same loudspeaker brands and system architectures that artists encounter on festival main stages and arena tours.
Showtime Sound CTO Marc Chauvin notes that L-Acoustics systems are now frequently expected on rider documents for high-profile EDM acts, and the Echostage project was driven in part by the venue’s production team responding to those expectations.
From an engineering standpoint, the installation demonstrates how compact line source modules such as L2 and L2D can be applied in large club environments where high SPL, controlled coverage and rapid deployment are all priorities.
Why this matters
For venue operators, the Echostage project underlines the role of audio specification in maintaining relevance on the international touring circuit. Matching commonly requested loudspeaker brands and configurations can simplify advance work, reduce the need for touring PA rentals and help attract higher-profile shows.
The choice of an L Series-based system also points to a shift toward higher-density loudspeaker formats in fixed installations. In rooms with minimal acoustic treatment, tighter pattern control and more precise low-frequency management can reduce unwanted room excitation while maintaining the high-impact sound levels associated with EDM.
For sound providers and integrators, the project illustrates a practical system layout for large-capacity clubs: compact main arrays, substantial but controlled sub deployment, and monitoring systems that mirror front-of-house tonality for DJs and live acts.
Further information on the L Series and related products is available on the L-Acoustics official website at http://www.l-acoustics.com.
