Designing, delivering, and maintaining high-performance audio in one of the UK’s most acoustically challenging sacred spaces. 

Introduction 

St Paul’s Cathedral is one of the most recognised landmarks in the UK — a masterpiece of architecture and a living place of worship. Beneath its iconic dome, a complex interplay of stone, symmetry and scale produces an extraordinary 11-second reverberation time — beautiful to hear, but daunting for speech clarity. 

RG Jones Sound Engineering first answered that challenge in 1984, designing a bespoke speech reinforcement system that brought clarity to the heart of Wren’s design. The company has remained the Cathedral’s trusted AV partner ever since. 

The Challenge 

Delivering effective sound reinforcement in St Paul’s required: 

• Precision clarity in a high-reverb environment 
• Non-invasive installation that respected the heritage fabric 
• Accessibility compliance, in line with the Equality Act 2010 
• Seamless integration across daily services, special events, and broadcast-level ceremonies 

When asked to deliver a permanent induction loop system, RG Jones needed to maintain world-class standards while working entirely within listed and historically protected spaces — from the Crypt to the OBE Chapel. 

The Solution 

Partnering with assistive listening specialists Ampetronic, the RG Jones team designed a seven-zone induction loop system, strategically tailored for: 

• The Nave 
• The Crypt 
• The Chapel of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) 
• Additional public and ceremonial areas 

Each zone was driven by Ampetronic ILD1000G loop amplifiers, with field strength and coverage patterns optimised using simulation and in-situ testing. Where direct routing was impossible, RG Jones deployed custom loop geometries to use vertical magnetic field spill to their advantage, covering the crypt without compromising loop performance in the Nave. 

The Result 

The result is a fully compliant, intelligible, and unobtrusive assistive listening system that now supports one of the most visited and revered religious buildings in the UK. It has performed seamlessly during major televised state occasions — from Baroness Thatcher’s funeral to Royal Jubilees and Olympic Torch ceremonies — while continuing to serve daily worshippers with quiet reliability. 

In addition to the permanent system, RG Jones continues to provide temporary AV support for high-profile ceremonies and large-scale services, reinforcing the Cathedral’s sound with broadcast-grade reliability and reverence for its unique space. 

Why It Matters 

St Paul’s isn’t just another venue. It’s a symbol of British identity, spirituality, and architectural legacy. Since 1984, RG Jones has helped protect the integrity of its voice — literally — with systems that serve all, including those with hearing loss, without compromising the building’s heritage. 

This case exemplifies RG Jones’ status as the go-to specialists for AV in heritage spaces, combining technical ingenuity with deep respect for place, purpose, and people. 

System Overview 

• Seven-zone induction loop system 
• Ampetronic ILD1000G drivers 
• Custom loop geometries for vertical and horizontal coverage 
• Installation compliant with IEC 60118-4 standards 
• Non-invasive cable routing within Grade I-listed structure 
• Ongoing temporary AV support for major public events 

At a Glance