Helsinki Congress Paasitorni will complete a major upgrade of the PA system and acoustics in its historic Congress Hall by late summer 2026. The renovation will significantly improve speech intelligibility for meetings, congresses, panel discussions, and hybrid events, while also elevating the audio quality of music performances and stage productions to a new level. Going forward, high-quality audio infrastructure will be included as a standard feature of the venue.
Paasitorni has a clear objective: to make event organization as smooth and reliable as possible for its clients. To achieve this, the venue is renewing the PA system and acoustics of its iconic Congress Hall, ensuring that audio will be distributed evenly and clearly throughout the space.
For clients, the upgrade translates into practical reliability: presentations and speeches will be easier to understand, panel discussions will remain intelligible, and high-quality audio can be captured and transmitted for hybrid events. The same system will also serve celebrations, live performances, and music events.
Following the renovation, the Congress Hall’s standard PA system and acoustics will meet international professional standards. In many meetings, seminars, congresses, and gala events, clients will no longer need to invest in extensive external AV solutions simply to guarantee high-quality sound. Exceptional audio performance will be built into the venue itself.
Intelligible Speech Is the Foundation of Every Successful Event
In meetings and congresses, the primary role of sound is simple: every participant must be able to hear and understand what is being said on stage.
In historic venues with high ceilings and hard surfaces, this is not always a given. Speech can become blurred, reverberate excessively, or sound different depending on where listeners are seated. Paasitorni’s renovation has been specifically designed to solve these challenges.
The goal is to create an environment where:
• Opening speeches are heard equally clearly in both the front and back rows.
• Individual speakers in panel discussions are easier to distinguish.
• High-quality audio can be captured and distributed to both on-site and remote participants during hybrid events.
• Speakers, performers, and organizers can trust that sound reaches the entire audience effectively.
The renovation supports Paasitorni’s mission to provide a venue where organizers can focus on content and participants can focus on the event itself.
An International-Class PA System as a Standard Feature
The Congress Hall will be equipped with a new d&b audiotechnik CCL (Compact Cardioid Line Array) PA system. Designed specifically for acoustically demanding spaces, the system enables precise sound coverage throughout the audience area while minimizing reflections and unwanted reverberation.
In practice, this results in more intelligible speech, a more consistent listening experience, and greater sound control throughout the space.
The same technology is used in internationally renowned venues such as Les Salles du Carrousel beneath the Louvre Pyramid in Paris, London’s National Theatre and Barbican Theatre, and Dublin’s Bord Gáis Energy Theatre. The PA system will be supplied and installed by Overture Audio Oy.
For Paasitorni, the project is above all an investment in customer experience, providing sound quality and speech intelligibility that meets the expectations of leading international event venues while preserving the unique character of a historic setting.
Acoustics Upgraded Alongside the PA System
An international-class PA system alone is not enough if the hall itself is acoustically uncontrolled. That is why the renovation also includes significant acoustic improvements.
Custom-made acoustic curtains will be installed to reduce reverberation and control sound reflections. They will enhance speech intelligibility, support musical performances, and serve as blackout solutions for demanding presentations. The curtains will be designed to complement and preserve the Congress Hall’s historic elegance.
The result will be a space where Paasitorni’s unique atmosphere meets the requirements of modern event production.
Less Technical Complexity, More Confidence for Organizers
For event organizers, excellent sound means peace of mind. When the venue’s in-house PA system is already of a high standard, there is less need to construct complex temporary audio solutions from scratch.
The upgrade will reduce the need for external audio equipment, particularly for congresses, seminars, panel discussions, corporate events, and celebrations. For clients, this means simpler planning, a clearer overall production, and better quality without unnecessary technical complexity or additional costs.
Special requirements, such as large-scale concert productions, broadcast-level events, or highly demanding multi-camera productions, will continue to be planned individually. However, the starting point will be fundamentally different: the Congress Hall’s in-house PA system will already provide an international-level solution.
One Space for Congresses, Celebrations, and Performances
Paasitorni’s Congress Hall will continue to serve primarily as a premium space for seminars, congresses, corporate events, and celebrations. The renovation will also make it more versatile than ever.
The upgraded Congress Hall will be ideally suited for:
• International congresses
• Professional seminars
• Panel discussions
• Hybrid events
• Corporate celebrations
• Cultural events
• Live performances
The hall also has strong historical roots in live entertainment. Known in the past as “Bygga,” it was once one of Helsinki’s most legendary live music venues. This renovation brings modern capabilities to that musical heritage while strengthening the hall’s position as a premier stage for demanding meetings and event productions.
Ready by Late Summer 2026 – Autumn Bookings Now Open
The new sound system and acoustic solutions will be commissioned in late summer 2026 following installation and tuning.
For organizers planning events for autumn 2026, the upgrade offers an opportunity to provide participants with an even higher-quality, more intelligible, more immersive, and internationally competitive event experience in a unique historic setting.
Bookings for autumn 2026 are now open. Contact our sales team and let us help you create the perfect event for your needs.
Sales: sales@paasitorni.fi | +358 9 7089 611
Further Information:
Davide Floreno
Technician
davide.floreno@paasitorni.fi
+358 50 387 2096
About Helsinki Congress Paasitorni
Located in the Hakaniemi district of Helsinki, Helsinki Congress Paasitorni is a unique historic venue for meetings, congresses, celebrations, and events. Completed in 1908, Paasitorni combines a distinguished cultural setting with modern event production services, restaurants and hotel accommodation.