San Alberto | Bose Professional

About the Project

The San Alberto Hurtado Parish is a beacon of contemporary Catholic architecture in Las Condes, a residential area northwest of Santiago de Chile. Opened in 2023 and officially consecrated in September of that year, the parish represents the final work of renowned Chilean architect Samuel Claro Swinburn of Claro Arquitectos.

Built on an elevated site, the design emphasizes flowing, continuous spaces without interior walls, creating an open and inviting atmosphere. Featuring large atriums, dynamic geometric forms, and a stunning roof structure that floods the interior with natural light, the church offers a serene yet inspiring environment for worship. The main floor seats approximately 500 parishioners, while a second-floor choir loft and seating area add further dimension to the space.

The Bose Professional Solution

A Unique Acoustic Challenge

From the project’s inception, the design brief emphasized minimal visual clutter within the sanctuary. It was imperative that no loudspeakers be placed within the presbytery — the sacred space surrounding the altar — and that all technology blend seamlessly with the architecture.

In addition to being discreet, the sound system needed to deliver exceptional intelligibility and consistent coverage across three distinct zones: the main nave, the baptismal font area, and the second-floor choir loft.

Father Pedro Ríos Dempster, the parish’s pastor, underscored the importance of investing in high-quality sound. “Good sound makes a difference in the communication between the priest and the community,” he explained. With these needs in mind, parish administrator Rafael Valdés Searle turned to trusted AV specialists Toledo Amplificación, whose past work at the Cathedral of Santiago and Santa María de Las Condes Parish had earned widespread recognition.

A Bose Professional Solution Tailored for Worship

Drawing on their successful experiences integrating Bose Professional technology into complex religious spaces, engineers Andrés and Pedro Toledo again placed their trust in Bose Professional solutions.

“The project required a system that combined high sound quality with an aesthetic that respected the architecture and minimized reverberation from the wide concrete walls,” said Andrés Toledo.

The Toledo team designed a system using Bose Professional MSA12X powered beam-steering array loudspeakers, known for their slim form factor and precise sound dispersion.
On the main floor, two MSA12X column loudspeakers were installed on each side wall of the presbytery.

Each MSA12X loudspeaker features twelve independently amplified transducers, allowing for the creation of a precise vertical sound beam that covers the audience while minimizing reflections and disruptive echoes that could compromise clarity. Thanks to the beam-steering capabilities of the MSA12X, these four loudspeakers deliver complete and uniform coverage across all the pews in the nave.

At the rear of the church, in the baptismal font area, two Bose Professional MA12 column loudspeakers were installed — one on each side. These loudspeakers serve a dual function. During regular Masses and ceremonies such as weddings or First Communions, they provide reinforcement for attendees standing at the back of the church. During baptism ceremonies, a different configuration is activated, with the MA12 loudspeakers functioning as the primary system for the baptismal area while the MSA12Xs are temporarily disabled.

On the second floor, which houses both the choir area and additional seating for parishioners, two more MSA12X loudspeakers — one on each side—were installed for clear coverage.

The system is further complemented by two discreetly recessed loudspeakers that serve as monitors for the altar, along with four outdoor loudspeakers — two in the inner courtyard and two in the central atrium — so that those outside the church can also hear the ceremonies. While the outdoor loudspeakers are from another manufacturer, they are seamlessly integrated into the system thanks to the compatibility of Bose Professional processors and amplifiers, demonstrating the interoperability of the solution.

All system components are connected via Ethernet to a Dante network, enabling precise control through a Bose Professional ControlSpace EX-1280 processor and amplification with two PowerSpace P2600A amplifiers. Control is further simplified with ControlCenter CC-2 zone controllers that provide staff with easy preset recall for different types of ceremonies.

Supporting Sacred Sound with Precision Tools

To capture the highest-fidelity sound possible, the Toledo team incorporated professional-grade microphones from Audio-Technica and Shure:

Three Audio-Technica ES925ML gooseneck microphones for the altar, ambo, and lectern.
Eight Audio-Technica Pro37 condenser microphones for the choir.
A Shure ULX-D wireless system for handheld use during ceremonies.

The system was also designed with versatility in mind. In the choir area, four instrument inputs and two floor monitors dedicated to the choir’s sound were installed. Both floors include audio outputs for recording or live streaming, plus separate Ethernet connections to simplify system adjustments and remote control.

Recognizing the importance of acoustic control, Toledo Amplificación also recommended the use of absorbent materials in the wooden ceiling structure to minimize unwanted reverberation and create an even clearer listening experience.

A System that Checks All the Right Boxes

The San Alberto Hurtado Parish sound system achieves its three primary goals — aesthetic discretion, exceptional sound quality, and intuitive operation.

The white column loudspeakers blend seamlessly with the church’s minimalist design — so discreet that if you weren’t specifically looking for them, you might not even notice them. Whether a parishioner sits in the nave, the baptismal font area, or the second-floor loft, they experience clear, direct sound from the altar. Intelligent delay adjustments with the MA12 loudspeakers help everyone clearly hear and participate in the flow of the Mass — no matter where they’re seated.

Parish staff, trained by Toledo Amplificación, can easily manage the system through pre-programmed settings tailored for different ceremonies. Choirs and guest musicians are also seamlessly integrated into the system with clear guidelines and connectivity options.

“The feedback has been excellent, and parishioners say the system sounds great,” said Rafael Valdés Searle, praising Toledo Amplificación’s ongoing support. Andrés Toledo added, “Parishioners and priests alike have highlighted its natural sound and the absence of reverberation, despite the concrete structure. The sound quality is spectacular — comparable to that of a premium auditorium.”

Integrators and Distributors

Integrator: Toledo Amplificación

Toledo Amplificación is a leading Chilean AV integrator with over 50 years of experience, specializing in high-performance audio solutions for religious, corporate, and public spaces. Now led by engineers Andrés and Pedro Toledo, the company is renowned for its expertise in complex installations.

Distributors: MMT

MMT is the official wholesale distributor of Bose Professional products in Chile. With a showroom and offices in Santiago, MMT provides expert consultation and support for professional AV integrators.