The arena features a European design, with a canopy that encircles the entire two-tiered seating area. The first row seats are approximately 21ft from the touchlines, while the following rows are steeply raked, creating an intimate experience for fans that are closer to the playing field than in traditional US soccer stadiums.
This is the only soccer stadium of its kind in the United States, states Brian Elwell, project manager for Acoustic Dimensions. A catwalk that follows the path of the canopy made access to the hang points easier, but the proximity of the canopy to the seats created coverage challenges for the PA system design.
The closer speakers were located to seating areas, the less dispersion that each speaker could deliver. At the same time, however, simply adding boxes to expand the density of coverage would not have been cost effective. The solution was a combination of boxes from EAW's AX and MK Series of products.
Utilising the canopy, PA system designer Acoustic Dimensions specified a system of alternating hang points along the perimeter of the 1,400+-linear-foot-long canopy. Each main hang point features an EAW AX364-WP Arrayable Install Loudspeaker (aimed for long-throw use), an EAW MK2399-WP Two-Way Full Range Installation Loudspeaker (rear firing) and an EAW MK2394-WP Two-Way Full Range Installation Loudspeaker (down firing).
These main clusters alternate with intermediate hangs consisting of an additional MK2399-WP (rear firing) and an MK2394-WP (down firing). EAW AX396-WP Arrayable Install Loudspeaker units were used along the 350 feet of canopy over the west press box side of the arena. A total of 24 AX Series speakers and 82 MK Series speakers were used.
In terms of the amount of output versus the cost per box, EAW was by far the best choice,says Elwell. Their coverage pattern met all of our needs and from a cost point of view they are the most efficient available. We've been extremely pleased with the overall coverage we've gotten with this P.A. system it gives us great sound at every single seat.
(Jim Evans)
