Scott said: "We had experienced difficulty projecting to the back of the stand with the existing system. We knew Martin had brought out a stadium speaker that was more directional, and when we contacted John he confirmed that the AM Series offered a superior reach." Stevie Scott undertook the installation himself - a simple replacement into the roof of the stand, facilitated by hardwired cable through grommet holes.
The AM10 uses a 300W 10" LF driver with a 1" exit HF compression driver mounted on a rotatable 90°x50° constant directivity horn. It has been purpose-engineered for use in stadiums and arenas where high SPL and weather resistance are critical. It features a vertical trapezoid design that is horizontally formatted to reduce sightline obstruction. A new plastic paint finish and galvanized and powder-coated steel grille (with a Declon foam backing) ensures that the enclosure is waterproof. All internal metalwork is galvanized for added protection.
Taking signals from the big screen Jumbotron and the DJ box on match days, the PA provides the front end of a complete new multimedia system. The speakers are fed from a new amp rack positioned in the main stand roof and connected via FP200 cable, while the multimedia and networking are routed round the 52,000-capacity stadium on a fibre system. Scott reports that the new PA system went straight up out of the box, without need for dedicated system control or EQ. "All we have to do is tweak it on match days," he says. "Everyone has commented on the clarity of the system."
(Lee Baldock)