There’s no doubt that audio installations and upgrades within large sports facilities typically present integrators and sound designers with severe challenges. Perhaps by far the most formidable is the sheer scale of multiple coverage areas. The latter not only entails the enormous, cavernous open-air spaces, but also delivering an acceptable listening experience to everyone occupying in the seats, whether fans are courtside or in the upper “nosebleed” seats of an arena or — in a stadium project — on the grandstand, bleachers, end-zones or beneath the second/third deck.
Meanwhile, with the rise of multi-use facilities, such as baseball one day, football the next — or basketball/hockey shared with concerts, the situation facing the audio system designer become that more complex.
The task is further complicated by issues such as reverberation and intelligibility, particularly in enclosed spaces. Another significant factor that has to be considered is the exuberance of the fans themselves, and the need for the P.A. system to be heard above crowd noise that can peak at 105 dB or more. Last but not least are the challenges of getting the entire installation performed correctly, safely, on time and on budget, when those two invaluable commodities — time and money — are so often in scarce supply.
With that in mind, we decided to look into a baker’s dozen of different recent sports facility installation projects. Each of these were entirely different, not only in capacity, but also in system/venue criteria, yet all with successful outcomes that worked for all concerned — designers, integrators, teams, management, and most of all, the fans.
Jon M. Huntsman Center, University of Utah
The Jon M. Huntsman Center, a 15,000-seat arena in Salt Lake City, UT that’s home to the University of Utah’s Runnin’ Utes basketball, Utes volleyball and Red Rocks gymnastic teams, recently wrapped up a $6-million renovation project. U of U’s largest sporting and entertainment venue now features two new grand entrances, a new floor, drapes, LED lighting and a versatile house sound system with L-Acoustics Kara and high-directivity ARCS WiFo enclosures.
The audio was a joint effort between two Salt Lake City firms: acoustical and technology consulting firm Spectrum Engineers, who provided the design and construction documents, and integrators Poll Sound, who installed the system and assisted with product-specific design.
“The Huntsman Center had a very large structural cloud that maxed out the weight limit on the roof and was not suitable for hanging technical lighting or sound, making the venue unsuitable for concerts,” notes Poll Sound’s Deward Timothy. The remodel concept included a curtain system that could create various sized smaller rooms, while replacing the cloud with a lighter weight “super grid” to accommodate concert technical systems. As the room would now be divided, the sound system design needed to support each section individually.
Using L-Acoustics’ Soundvision acoustical modeling software, the two firms collaborated on a new loudspeaker design to replace the arena’s vintage center cluster system, which had issues with hot spots and low intelligibility.
The new rig features two concentric rings of speakers: eight main arrays of eight Kara flown beneath two SB18i subs to address lower bowl seating, and 16 delay arrays of three ARCS Focus enclosures collectively delivering a tight 45° of coverage to the upper bowl seats. Four arrays of three ARCS Wide mounted under the scoreboard each provide a focused 90° pattern to the basketball floor. All loudspeakers are powered and processed by a combination of seven LA8 and 21 LA4X amplified controllers housed in racks on a platform near the top of the dome with fiber runs to a computer at the mix position running L-Acoustics’ LA Network Manager monitoring and control software.
“It would have been possible to cover both the upper and lower bowl areas by using larger arrays, but that would not have accomplished the zoning near as well,” says Spectrum’s Sarah Rollins. “One of their scenarios is to only cover quarter or half of the lower bowl. It is far more accurate to use a delay ring than to try and turn portions of the arrays on and off. Plus, we get better direct-to-reverberant levels having the speakers closer to the audience. The bulk of the system power and quality come from the main arrays with the delay ring adding fullness and intelligibility to the upper bowl.”
Timothy adds that “It’s not often that you find an arena system of such high quality. It covers well, is highly intelligible [measured STIPA of .79 in full arena mode], has a substantial amount of acoustic power and is of premium components. The versatility of the system with its zone coverage capabilities is invaluable and the University has been very happy with it so far.”
Inside the Huntsman Center
- Location: Salt Lake City, Utah
- Capacity: 15,000
- Key Components: L-Acoustics Kara and ARCS WiFo enclosures
- Designer: Spectrum Engineers
- Integrator: Poll Sound
Konya Torku Arena
After a future European Football League Championship was proposed for Konya, Turkey, city planners authorized construction of a new stadium. Completed in 2014, the 42,276-seat Konya Torku Arena in the nearby town of Selçuklu is the new home of team Konyaspor KR.
Asimetrik, the Turkey-based distributors/system integrators, were contracted to provide a network-based grandstand P.A., as well as broadcast infrastructure and full presentation tools for conference, press and meeting rooms. Burak Bayrak of Asimetrik used EASE Simulations to visualize the optimum audio distribution, set correct splay angles of RCF’s H-Series loudspeakers and predict the performance with precision. ”The H Series was a perfect fit for this stadium — in terms of both power and dispersion,” says Bayrak.
RCF Acustica H1315 WP speakers were used for the main grandstand address system. Asimetrik specified 96 H1315 WP’s, a three-way full range speaker with a 15-inch woofer, 10-inch cone mid and titanium 1.4-inch compression driver. These are mounted in double clusters across 48 rigging points, with a 12-meter distance between each cluster.
The stadium exceeds the UEFA soccer league’s minimally required SPL, while intelligibility measures at an STI value of 0.8 — an impressive speech transmission index value. Finally, to meet the UEFA specified media requirement, hybrid fiber cables, HD signal transmission cables and digital audio cables were used along with an industry standard network audio infrastructure to control, process and distribute the sound.
“Designing a system which is fully compliant with UEFA standards was very complex, but the RCF products were exactly what we needed to make it work,” concludes Bayrak. “The RCF H1315 sound quality is superb, and the system is extremely compact as well. A number of matches have already been played and we have had very positive feedback.”
Inside the Konya Torku Arena
- Location: Selçuklu, Turkey
- Capacity: 42,276
- Key Components: RCF H1315 WP’s
- Designer: Burak Bayrak
- Integrator: Asimetrik
Alumni Stadium, Boston College
Alumni Stadium, home to the Boston College Eagles football team, recently installed a new EAW sound reinforcement system to upgrade the game day experience for fans.
Boston College’s athletic department called upon Dallas-based Wrightson, Johnson, Haddon & Williams (WJHW) to design a new upper deck sound reinforcement system that would “weather the weather” and upgrade the rest of the stadium system at the same time. All Pro Sound, headquartered in Pensacola, FL, handled the installation.
“We decided to utilize a custom steerable column array loudspeaker solution from EAW,” explains Kevin Day, WJHW. “We looked at active arrays but given the weather, thought a passive solution would be a better fit. We had worked with Kenton Forsythe at EAW to create a passive steerable column array loudspeaker for another installation that we knew would be ideal for this situation — and it has been.”
A total of 14 weatherized column array loudspeakers — each consisting of one LF and one HF multi-channel loudspeaker module — were installed on poles to cover the north and south end zones and west upper deck seating areas.
“The new column loudspeakers provide higher quality sound and more even coverage of the seating area while minimizing spillage to nearby neighborhoods during games,” says All Pro Sound’s John Fuqua. “The steerable capability of the arrays allow the sound to be aimed to cover the desired seating without compromising adjacent areas.”
As the east side of the stadium’s upper deck seating did not require pole mounted speakers, All Pro Sound refit new, custom mounts to the superstructure and installed five EAW QX364-WP’s to cover that area.
During the renovation, the lower deck loudspeakers were also upgraded. A distributed system of 22 EAW MK Series loudspeakers blanket the main seating area. “The MK loudspeakers work well with the column arrays in this application,” Fuqua explains. “EAW products are known for their ‘voicing’ to sound similar when used together in a given application. This is a great example of that working exceptionally well.”
Inside the Boston College Alumni Stadium
- Location: Boston, Massachusetts
- Capacity: 44.500
- Key Components: EAW custom column arrays, EAW QX364-WP’s and EAW MK Series speakers.
- Designer: Wrightson, Johnson, Haddon & Williams
- Integrator: All Pro Sound
Bank of America Stadium
Home of the Carolina Panthers NFL football team in Charlotte, NC, Bank of America Stadium has installed 30 steerable CAL column array loudspeakers from Meyer Sound to provide exceptional intelligibility for 37,000 fans in its upper deck area. The slender profile of CAL harmoniously blends in with flagpoles, solving an aesthetic challenge in distributed sound systems for sports venues.
“The Panthers’ stadium doesn’t have a continuous lighting catwalk like other NFL stadiums, so there was no place to put the sizeable conventional speakers we would need to cover the upper level without having large clusters up on poles,” says Mark Graham, the system designer and an associate of consultants Dallas-based Wrightson, Johnson, Haddon & Williams (WJHW). “Aesthetically, the clusters would have been a hard sell to the architects and stadium management.”
The proposal of the CAL loudspeakers was a turning point in the system design process, according to Cliff Miller, Carolina Panthers audio director who has been with the organization since 1995. “The CAL loudspeakers were probably the deciding factor in going with a distributed system in that stadium because of their slim profile,” Miller says. “With the CALs, you notice the flags more than the speakers. They look like an integral element of the architecture.”
Some 30 CAL 96 loudspeakers are spaced evenly between the lighting towers and configured for a 30° downward beam tilt and a 5° vertical beam spread. The result is uniform, wide-bandwidth coverage to the farthest seats located over 100 feet away.
“The CAL loudspeakers handle everything exceptionally well — not just the announcers, but also music playback, referee mics and live bands, which the CALs handle easily,” says Miller. “We’re not running them at anywhere near their full potential.”
The Meyer Sound system was provided and installed by Minneapolis-based Parsons Technologies, a division of Parsons Electric. The architecture firm for the upgrade was Wagner Murray Architects.
Inside the Bank of America Stadium
- Location: Charlotte, North Carolina
- Capacity: 37,000
- Key Components: Meyer Sound CAL 96 column arrays
- Designer: Mark Graham
- Integrator: Parsons Technologies
Toronto FC Kia Training Center
In 2007, the Toronto Football Club (Toronto FC) was the first Canadian team to be added to the expanding Major League Soccer franchise. BMO Field, operated by Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment (MLSE), is the team’s home stadium. Because of growing fan demand, a second expansion project is currently underway and due for completion a year from now. It will raise the seating capacity to 30,000.
To support the Toronto FC, both on- and off-season (as well as “Academy” youth and development teams), MLSE built a new, $21 million building, with outdoor fields, state-of-the-art fitness and workout rooms, training facilities equipped with audio and video playback systems, a dining hall as well as office spaces and a large presentation theater.
MLSE’s technology manager David August determined the system design (with assistance from lead audio engineer Courtney Ross) and worked with integrator RP Dynamics of Mississauga, ONT on the project, which also included extensive video conferencing and media access capabilities.
The audio was divided into zones, with multiple Rane RAD2’s throughout the facility providing XLR mic and line inputs on 1/8-inch and RCA jacks. Built into a wallplate over a standard 2-gang electrical box, RAD modules offer local input access with 24-bit/48kHz digital conversion at the wall and shielded Cat-5e to a Rane HAL central DSP processor under local control via Rane DR-3 and Crestron units.
The speaker selection was all wall-mounted Renkus-Heinz enclosures, with two CFX12112-inch 2-way enclosures (with 2-inch compression driver on a Complex Conic horn) and a CFX12S subwoofer in the gym area. The two dining halls and team locker room were each fitted with two CFX81’s (8-inch, 2-ways with 1-inch compression driver on a 150° wide Complex Conic horn) and CFX12S subwoofers. Two CFX81’s were also employed in the theater area. All audio systems were driven using E4:2 and E12:2 power amplifiers.
The installation focus was on ease of use, with simple, plug-and-go access to the system via the Rane RAD2 modules — no freestanding mixers were required — combined with some serious punch from the Renkus-Heinz speakers. This offered plenty of SPL’s, especially during workouts, where sometimes you need to pump it up.
Inside the Toronto FC Kia Training Center
- Location: Toronto, Ontario
- Key Components: Renkus-Heinz CFX1211, CFX12S and CFX81 speakers; amps; Rane RAD2 input modules with HAL DSP.
- Designer: David August and Courtney Ross
- Integrator: RP Dynamics
Mackay Stadium, University of Nevada
Located on the University of Nevada’s Reno campus, Mackay Stadium hosts the school’s football and soccer events. Originally constructed in 1966, the stadium has undergone many renovations over its nearly 50-year history. Recently, Sparks, NV-based Pro AV & Electronics, was chosen to upgrade the amplifiers in Mackay Stadium’s audio system, which were experiencing intermittent performance issues.
Mackay Stadium, with a seating capacity of 30,000, is situated within a demanding desert environment. Pro AV’s Nathan Barlow explains that temperatures can reach up to 115°F inside the equipment closet under the north scoreboard. “The first football games of every season are in early September, at the tail end of summer when temperatures are still extremely high. We needed a solution with low power consumption requirement and low heat dispersion, and Powersoft was at the top of the list.”
Barlow and his team made tests with four Powersoft Ottocanali 1204s (which replaced 12 pre-existing 3U units) and tried running the entire system on a single 20-amp circuit. The result was surprising. “Our experiment gave us all the assurance we wanted. We were not pushing those Powersoft amps anywhere near their capacity, while each amplifier in our previous system drew between 11 and 17 amps during gametime.”
Given this limited control room space, the small footprint and high output of the Powersoft amps factored into the decision. “It was a no-brainer when we discovered we could get eight channels in a 2-rackspaces at such a high wattage per channel.” Barlow adds. Another factor was reliability. “We needed a bulletproof unit. The control room is a cinder block building that’s constantly exposed to the heat, with little insulation or ventilation. I felt the Powersoft units would stand up to the challenge.”
Once the new amps were installed, staff and fans quickly noticed the improved audio quality. “The sound and clarity was amazing,” says Barlow. “One of the executives asked if we had installed subwoofers in the system, which of course, we hadn’t. These amplifiers hit a lot harder than others on the market, with a faster response that gives more detail and intelligibility.
For example, 15-inch subs can sound like 18’s. The difference is very audible.”
Inside the Mackay Stadium
- Location: Reno, Nevada
- Capacity: 30,000
- Key Components: Powersoft Ottocanali 1204 amplifiers
- Designer: Nathan Barlow
- Integrator: ProAV & Electronics
Veterans Memorial Stadium, Troy University
Originally built in 1950, yet regularly expanded and improved over the years, the Veterans Memorial Stadium is home to the Trojans football team of Troy University (Troy, AL) and recently underwent an $18 million renovation, including a new sound system and scoreboard from Daktronics.
The new Daktronics scoreboard in the corner of the north end zone is topped with three arrays of JBL VLA loudspeakers. Each five-speaker array features a combination of VLA301H, VLA601H and VLA901H models.
Part of JBL’s Variable Line Array Series (VLA Series), these are designed specifically for long-throw applications, and all are high-output, full-range 3-way line arrays with dual 15-inch woofers, four 8-inch cone mids and six 1.5-inch exit HF compression drivers, with the three models differing only in terms of their 30°/60°/90° horizontal dispersion.
In addition, three JBL PD5200 loudspeakers are used for downfill. In under-balcony and concourse areas, 12 JBL CBT70J column speakers provide delay fill.
Although the requirements of the audio system were not unusual by stadium standards, they were still very specific. “The stadium needed high output and even coverage across all seating areas,” says Daktronics Dan Eckert. “We also needed loudspeakers that could make the 500 to 600 foot throw to the far side of the stadium, and the VLA loudspeakers have that ability.”
In addition, the press box in the stadium posted an acoustics challenge. “We had to contend with the press box on one side of the stadium, which created some reflections. But we were mostly able to steer the VLA loudspeakers away from those reflecting areas.” Eckert added. “We have used VLA in past projects and are very comfortable with their performance.”
Crown I-Tech 4x3500HD amplifiers power the VLA loudspeakers while Crown DCi amplifiers power the rest of the JBL loudspeakers. In addition, Veterans Memorial Stadium features a Soundcraft Si Performer 1 console that feeds a BSS Audio BLU-800 digital signal processing system. The system is being managed with Harman’s HiQnet Audio Architect software.
“We have had great experiences with the I-Tech HD amplifiers and they work very well together with the BSS processing,” Eckert added.
Inside Veterans Memorial Stadium
- Location: Troy, Alabama
- Capacity: 30,000
- Key Components: JBL VLA line arrays and CBT column speakers; Crown I-Tech HD and DriveCore Install amplifiers; BSS Audio BLU-800 DSP; Soundcraft Si Performer 1 console.
- Designer: Dan Eckert
- Integrator: Daktronics
Incheon Asiad Stadium
Built to host the 17th Asian Games, and taking three years to construct, the new Incheon Asiad Stadium, has 62,000 seats and was used for the Games main sporting competitions as well as other events, such as Korean pop (K-POP) concerts.
Needing a stable, but flexible multi-purpose audio system to accommodate both digital and analog technology, Allen & Heath’s South Korean distributor, Sama ProSound, suggested an iLive-144 Control Surface with iDR-48 MixRack to serve as the main system, with a GL2800 as the sub system.
“iLive was chosen because it has both the capability and flexibility to manage the audio system,” says Sama principal engineer Carl Park. “And it can be remotely controlled with the MixPad app, enabling the user to roam around the huge stadium while monitoring and controlling the system.”
The iLive-144 surface is connected to the iDR-48 MixRack and its 24 outputs are connected to the network system to distribute the input sources to the entire speaker system in the stadium, as well as handling broadcasting duties.
For smaller events, the venue required an analog console for less experienced users who were less comfortable with using digital mixers. A 48-channel GL2800 was selected for its audio quality and intuitive design. Located next to the iLive-144 in the main control room, the GL2800 console also connects to the network system to distribute the audio.
Inside the Incheon Asiad Stadium
- Location: Incheon, South Korea
- Capacity: 62,000
- Key Components: Allen & Heath iLive and GL2800 consoles
- Designer: Carl Park
- Integrator: Sama ProSound
MSSU Lions Baseball Stadium
Unlike almost all the other athletic programs at Missouri Southern State University, the MSSU Lions baseball team had long played all of its home games off campus. However, a recent funding initiative has provided a new 500-seat stadium with modern amenities, including synthetic turf, regulation lighting, training facilities, a press box, concessions and a great-sounding sound reinforcement system.
Local A/V integration firm Total Electronics Contracting designed and installed the sound system, which centers on an Ashly ne8250.70PE eight-channel 250W network amplifier with integrated Protea DSP. Users can make volume adjustments with an Ashly FR-8 remote fader bank, which relays their changes to the customized Protea DSP.
“The team officials had a lot of complaints about the sound system at their old ‘home’ field, which was a 10-minute drive from campus,” said Nate Pugh of Total Electronics Contracting. “It was small and tinny-sounding, but nevertheless managed to blow fans’ heads off without managing to get sound to the field. Of course, they were on a tight budget, and there were serious space limitations. The Ashly ne8250.70PE was the perfect solution. In just two rack spaces we got all of the DSP and amplification we needed, and Ashly’s reliability is fantastic. Despite all its high-quality features, Ashly’s price point is very competitive.”
Despite limited load ratings on the lighting poles, Pugh installed four Community R.25 and two Community R.5HP loudspeakers to provide good coverage of the stands and the field. JBL contractor-series ceiling speakers provide coverage for indoor areas. The Ashly ne8250.70PE fits under the desk in the press box, and currently only requires seven of its eight amplifier channels.
“The FR-8 is one of the features that has sold me on Ashly,” said Pugh. “It’s the only interface that I’ve found that gives the user the feel of a mixer — without actually requiring a mixer. At MSSU, I simply labeled the inputs and the master fader. They can mute inputs and adjust volumes as needed. It’s so simple that anyone can use it, even without training. It’s easy and reliable.” With the new system installed and the new on-campus stadium up and running, the MSSU Lions, coaches, and fans are ecstatic.
Inside the MSSU Lions Baseball Stadium
- Location: Joplin, Missouri
- Capacity: 500
- Key Components: Community R.25 and R.5HP speakers, Ashly ne8250.70PE amplification.
- Designer: Nate Pugh
- Integrator: Total Electronics Contracting
Governors Stadium, Austin Peay State University
Home to Austin Peay State University’s football team, Governor’s Stadium in Clarksville, TN, recently underwent a complete renovation. The design and installation of a new audio system was handled by Union City, TN-based Lowrance Sound Company.
“The job started out on a shoestring budget,” explains owner Mark Lowrance. “We worked hard with the organization to increase the budget but also make sure they were getting the best bang for the buck.” Lowrance determined an end zone cluster would provide the desired result and opted for One Systems CFA-2 loudspeakers. “One Systems products sound great and provide the all-weather features an outdoor system requires,” he adds.
The CFA-2 (Cross Field Array-2) is designed to provide high intelligibility and acoustic output at long distances, making it ideal for the stadium’s 550-foot throw from the scoreboard. The loudspeaker is a 55 x 30° array with a rotatable HF waveguide allowing vertical or horizontal placement. The HF configuration has two large format compression drivers coupled to a 2-inch constant directivity horn. LF is handled by four bandwidth-optimized 10-inch woofers in a 2 x 2 array.
Lowrance specified a scoreboard cluster made up of identical left and right arrays and center stacked subs. Each array consists of three CFA-2 loudspeakers. Four One Systems 118Sub-Ws subwoofers were stacked in the center of the arrays to provide additional low end.
Lowrance was also responsible for the concourse sound system at the stadium, using One Systems 106IM’s compact two-way speakers rather than ceiling models. “We could use less of them and provide the same coverage with far better audio quality — it was a win for everyone.”
“Everyone is happy with the new audio system. Bass response is good and the coverage is excellent,” concludes Lowrance. “All in all, there is a dramatic improvement over the previous audio system.”
Inside the Governors Stadium
- Location: Clarksville, Tennessee
- Capacity: 10,000
- Key Components: One Systems CFA-2, 118Sub-Ws and 106IM speakers
- Designer: Mark Lowrance
- Integrator: Lowrance Sound Company
Moorhead Stadium
Named after a legendary football coach and home to the Conroe Independent School District’s numerous high school teams, the Buddy Moorhead Stadium continues the Texas high school football tradition with a modern facility seating more than 8,400 fans.
The stadium’s artificial turf and competition track were recently upgraded, but for several years, its sound system had been unreliable and fans often complained about inadequate intelligibility.
The Conroe school district chose TASC A/V to provide a new sound system. TASC designed a system based on Community R6-51 high-output, horn-loaded loudspeaker systems. TASC Project Manager, Anthony DiDonato explained, “Our only real option was locating the loudspeakers at the scoreboard. So, we needed an extra-long-throw box to cover over 150 yards. Plus, this is Texas football — we needed high SPL’s at long distance to get over the crowd!”
amplifiers power the system, which also includes a Montezuma DSP mixer and Shure ULX wireless microphones for field use and game announcements. Two Symetrix Radius DSPs provide DSP functions and loudspeaker management communicating over a dedicated Dante V-LAN network provided for the project. TASC installed 12 Community C6 ceiling loudspeakers in the press box with zone volume controls and a shotgun mic on the outside of the press box to monitor the game and half-time events.
DiDonato says the client response has been highly enthusiastic, with director of athletics Danny C. Long reporting the team is “ecstatic” with the new installation: “TASC A/V really went the extra mile to design and install a rock-solid system and ensure it produces quality sound in every part of the stadium.”
Inside Moorhead Stadium
- Location: Conroe, Texas
- Capacity: 8,400
- Key Components: Community R6-51 and C6 speakers; Symetrix Radius DSP; amplifiers
- Designer: Anthony DiDonato
- Integrator: TASC A/V
Tim Hortons Field
When the region surrounding Toronto — often called the Golden Horseshoe — was named to host the 2015 Pan American Games, the entire region began preparations. To host soccer games, a new facility, Tim Hortons Field, was erected in the city of Hamilton. The multi-purpose facility sits on the former site of the venerable Ivor Wynne Stadium, home to city’s Canadian Football League franchise, the Tiger-Cats.
A major challenge in the project was creating a sound system to meet the exacting standards of both FIFA (soccer’s governing body) and the CFL, while controlling sound from spilling into nearby residential areas. A sound system using Fulcrum Acoustic’s TQ Install weather-resistant loudspeakers was proposed. The main system designer was Dave Clark Consulting, along with another consultant, Arthur Skudra. Installation was handled by A/V Solutions of Mississauga, Ontario.
“The challenge was pattern control,” explains Clark. “FIFA requires a very loud system so it can be used for crowd control and urgent public address, yet we needed to avoid nearby homes. With no roof structure, all of the sound has to come from above and behind.”
The system was based around Fulcrum Acoustic’s new AH463, a dual-loaded 4-inch HF compression driver coaxially mounted in quad 10-inch LF horns. Twelve of these biamplified boxes are mounted, with three on each of the four lighting towers on the east side and four more above the press box on the west side — roughly seven stories above the field. These long throws down into the bowl provide the primary audio output for the stadium.
Seating areas shadowed by the stadium’s architecture are covered by fill speakers. Full-range Fulcrum coaxial horn systems were specified, including 16 AH65FP (60×45°) and four 90×60° AH96FP’s. Covering the west side’s middle deck are 16 Fulcrum CX1295 speakers, a smaller full-range model installed on cantilevered yokes. “This allows them to essentially cover two levels, eliminating an entire row of speakers on the west side,” says Clark.
Clark praised the AH463’s pattern control and intelligibility. “It delivered very focused, even coverage, as well as satisfying the requirement of getting very loud for urgent public address,” he observes. “The Fulcrum system achieves those levels in a reasonably small form factor, which was also important due to potential shadow interference with lighting. It was a good product fit for this project.”
Clark was also impressed with Fulcrum’s high level of involvement. “They provided custom GLL files I could plug into the EASE model,” he notes. “That was a real plus. When the speakers arrived, they were accompanied by preconfigured crossover objects, including FIR filters, for the amplification and control system, which is a 64-channel QSC Q-Sys Core.”
“The Fulcrum system sounds so much better than the old stadium, and it’s nicely controlled,” reports Tiger-Cats sound engineer Garry Brown. “They spent a day and a half checking filters and coverage, making sure everything was smooth and even. It’s much better for the houses right across the street behind the end zone, too.”
Inside the Tim Hortons Field
- Location: Hamilton, Ontario
- Capacity: 24,000 (permanent)/40,000 (special events)
- Key Components: Fulcrum Acoustic AH463, AH65FP, AH96FP and CX1295 speakers; QSC Q-Sys core amps/DSP control
- Designer: Dave Clark Consulting and Arthur Skudra
- Integrator: A/V Solutions
University of Georgia Sanford Stadium
The University of Georgia Bulldog football team plays all of its home games in Sanford Stadium on the school’s main Athens, GA campus. The tenth largest sports stadium in the United States, Sanford accommodates just under 93,000 fans and the university authorized an overhaul of the facility’s audio system.
“The old system never covered the stadium evenly,” said UOG’s Chris Williamson. “There were several large dead spots, including one over the student section — one of the most important sections for building game day atmosphere. New rules would allow us to play more music during the games, but a subpar sound system only highlighted the system’s deficiencies. It had been intended primarily for speech reinforcement, not music playback,” he explains.
“The stadium itself, including its sound and video systems, is a critical tool in keeping the momentum on the field going in the right direction,” said Pete Dugas, president/founder of TSAV, the Athens-based firm that installed the system.
The TSAV team converged on an end-fired system using primarily Danley Jericho Horns with Danley subwoofers. “Not only would the new system meet the university’s performance goals, it would do it without straining their budget,” said Dugas. Five Danley Jericho J3 horns provide main coverage of the opposite end zone and both adjacent sides, and three Danley OS-80 loudspeakers provide down-fill for the end zone seating immediately below the scoreboard.
Based on Synergy Horn technology the he J3s and OS-80’s deliver full-range content from a single horn, with high intelligibility, fidelity and directional control. The latter keeps energy off the field, so the referees can speak without feedback, a situation that was problematic with the old system. Two of Danley’s new SBH-10 column speakers provide side-fill coverage below the scoreboard, while Danley BC-415 subwoofers bolster the low-end.
While the old system had no content below 70 Hz, the new system is still active at 25 Hz. “We’re happy with the results, although there were adjustments to make,” said Dugas. “The new low-end rattled the scoreboard, which we had to fix, along with too much low-end by the university president’s suite. That was easy to adjust. The SPL is 26 dB greater than it was before, and the fact that everything is point-source has improved fidelity tremendously. As a Bulldogs fan myself, I’m looking forward to enjoying the system at every home game!”
Inside the Sanford Stadium
- Location: Athens, Georgia
- Capacity: 93,000
- Key Components: Danley Jericho Horns, SBH-10 column speakers and BC-415 subs.
- Designer: Pete Dugas and Mike Hedden
- Integrator: TSAV
