After a comprehensive warehouse evaluation and live event trials, Harry the hirer Productions has added JBL VTX A Series to its growing audio inventory.
The Opportunity
As one of Australia’s leading production and event companies, Harry the hirer Productions continually evaluates new technologies to ensure it can meet the demands of concerts, festivals, corporate productions and large-scale public events.
When the team began exploring the addition of a new line array platform, they approached the process with a simple philosophy: prove the system in a real-world environment before making a commitment.
Rather than relying solely on specifications or demonstrations, the team wanted the opportunity to compare systems directly, assess deployment workflows and hear the results for themselves.
The Solution: JBL VTX A Series
Working with MadisonAV, JBL Professional’s Australian distributor, Harry the hirer Productions undertook a detailed warehouse shootout, placing a JBL VTX A Series system alongside an existing line array platform already familiar to the team.
The evaluation led to a significant investment comprising 24 JBL VTX A8 line array elements, 20 JBL VTX B18 subwoofers and four Crown VRack systems, each populated with three Crown I-Tech 4x3500HD amplifiers.
According to Rob Nickels, Senior Account Manager at Harry the hirer Productions, the process was designed to provide an honest comparison in conditions familiar to the team.
“Within the space of two days, MadisonAV had arranged for a VTX A Series system to be delivered to our warehouse in Victoria,” said Nickels. “We set up and tuned one of our existing systems alongside it so we could listen to both side by side. We were both surprised and happy with the overall performance when comparing the systems.”
Before proceeding with the purchase, Harry the hirer Productions established one final requirement: putting JBL VTX A Series to work in a live production environment.
That opportunity came at Hyrox Sydney, where more than 28,000 visitors attended events across six halls and the Dome at Sydney Showground. A VTX A Series system comprising eight VTX A8 elements per side, supported by flown and ground-stacked VTX B18 subwoofers, was deployed within the festival-style Hyrox House activation.
The successful trial ultimately confirmed the decision to move forward with the investment.
“I’ve left the system basically flat since deployment and it’s been beautiful. It’s done exactly what we hoped it would and more.”
The Impact
Following delivery and HARMAN-certified training, the new JBL inventory wasted no time getting to work.
Within weeks, the system was deployed at the AFL Grand Final Toyota Footy Fest, one of Melbourne’s largest annual public events. With approximately 65,000 attendees across Yarra Park and the surrounding precinct, the event provided another opportunity for the new system to demonstrate its capabilities.
Beyond the sonic performance, the deployment team highlighted the practicality of the VTX A Series design.
“The JBL design team have taken the time to ask themselves if there’s a better way to hang a PA,” said Nickels. “They’ve really thought about it and made it as simple as possible. The rigging is next level; it’s so quick and easy to use.”
At front of house, engineer Will Petts was equally impressed following his first experience mixing on the system.
“I’ve left the system basically flat since deployment and it’s been beautiful,” said Petts. “Straight out of the box, it’s done exactly what we hoped it would and more. It has held up extraordinarily well. The biggest standout for me is that the throw is incredible.”
“The A8 is a good-looking, neat and tight box. Very clean, discreet and at precisely the right price point.”
For Harry the hirer Productions, the addition of JBL VTX A Series was never about replacing an existing solution. Instead, it was about expanding the company’s capabilities and providing more options for a wide range of productions.
“Our A8 system fits into our inventory exactly where we need it,” said Nickels. “It’s a good-looking, neat and tight box. It’s very clean, very discreet, and it’s precisely the right price point.”
Why It Matters
In an industry where performance claims are common, it is rare to see a major PA investment validated through both a controlled warehouse comparison and a demanding live event trial before purchase.
For JBL Professional, the project represents another significant VTX A Series deployment in the Asia-Pacific region. For Harry the hirer Productions, it provides a versatile, rider-friendly system capable of meeting the demands of everything from public events and festivals to touring productions and corporate activations.
Most importantly, the decision reinforces a simple principle shared by the best production companies: the strongest technology investments are the ones that prove themselves where it matters most, in front of real audiences.
