Bluetongue Stadium upgrades with Electro-Voice
Published: ASIA
AUSTRALIA: Bluetongue Stadium has turned to Electro-Voice for a new PA system following difficulties caused by corrosive atmospheric conditions. The refit has been conducted by A1 Audio & Lighting.
Situated on the scenic Central Coast in Gosford, Bluetongue Stadium has earned a reputation as one of Australia's most picturesque venues. With a total capacity of 20,059, it has played host to many major events including International Rugby Union, National Rugby League and National A-League Football matches. The venue has also branched out into boxing, motorcross and open-air rock concerts as well as a multitude of local sporting and community events.
The construction of the stadium was completed in February 2000, bringing to Gosford a premier multifunctional facility overlooking the beautiful Brisbane Waters. Unfortunately the speaker system installed at that time was recently in dire need of replacing as the waterside location of the stadium meant that most speakers had been aversely affected by the salt air.
‘Some of the speakers weren’t working because their components had been corroded,’ explained Chris Fanning, director of Newcastle based A1 Audio & Lighting, who was asked to design and install a new audio system. ‘More importantly, the speaker brackets were so corroded the speakers were close to falling down from the roof.’
Mr Fanning’s design incorporates Electro Voice Zx5PI 15-inch two-way weather resistant passive PA speakers, with both the west and east grandstands of the stadium boasting 11 Zx5PI enclosures to cover the upper and lower seating. Electro Voice MH640p horns are placed on the north end of each grandstand to service the end zone, while the installation uses NetMax DSP control.
‘The EV system delivers all the performance at a cost-effective price,’ he explained. ‘Dispersion was a major factor when deciding on the Zx5PI boxes as they have the suitable dispersion to fit the existing speaker locations that we had to work with. Rather than change the locations it was easier for us to reutilise the existing points. The Zx5PI speakers definitely have the output to cover the areas. It’s the same with the end zones where the medium-throw horns cover the area well.’
Mr Fanning was also keen to praise the Netmax DSP control that has been installed to govern the stadium’s eight zones. ‘We’ve got limiting on the system through the NetMax as well as different presets. When the games start with the crowd not at capacity, we have the system limited at a certain level but as the stadium fills up the show-caller or operator can simply change the limit settings with a preset. That way the operators don’t have to think too much about it.’
The installation is being conducted in stages and in the near future 30 Electro Voice Zx1i speakers are planned to cover the balcony areas. However, Mr Fanning added that ‘the EV Zx5PI speakers made such an improvement in the sound quality that I suspect the client may not do the second stage. The feedback that I’ve been getting is that everyone is extremely happy with the installation. I’ve talked to the operators who use the system and the show-caller and they’re all more than happy. The venue was also happy with how the installation was completed within a limited time frame.’
Mr Fanning was aided in the design of the system by Bryan Davidson, Bosch’s senior engineer for permanent installations, and gratefully acknowledges his input.