MORGANTOWN, WV – Panasonic's Tech Services Group recently installed a new audio system designed by Acoustical Design Group at the 14,000-seat West Virginia University Coliseum that included JBL PD Series loudspeakers.
Home to the West Virginia University men's basketball team, the upgrade to the Coliseum's audio system was part of a larger renovation that included the installation of a new NBA-style video scoreboard and a new lighting system.
The main bowl system at the Coliseum features a variety of JBL PD Series loudspeaker models, including the PD5212/64, PD5212/95 and PD5322/64, with 10 PD5122 low-frequency loudspeakers intermingled on top of the scoreboard, alternating with the other PD Series models.
The main bowl system also includes one JBL ASB6118 subwoofer on the top of the scoreboard.
Other PD Series speakers are placed beneath the scoreboard to cover the floor area, while the speakers on top of the scoreboard cover the lower decks and also provide low-frequency output. Additionally, a top satellite ring of PD5212/64 loudspeakers ties into a circular catwalk, covering two-thirds of the top deck. Crown CTs amplifiers power the system.
"This was our first time working with the PD Series, and we were extremely pleased," said Ian Wolfe of Acoustical Design Group. "We got excellent pattern control, terrific overall frequency response, the loudspeakers were easy to install and the price was right as well."
According to Ken Blanchies of Panasonic's Tech Services Group, the PD Series loudspeakers provide smooth coverage and perform according spec. "That's an important quality, because the Coliseum was built in 1970, and we were dealing with acoustic properties that weren't even considered back then," said Blanchies. "There are a ton of concrete surfaces, including on the roof, so we were dealing with a lot of reflections and lobing. Once Ian came in and tuned the system, he put some small parametric notch filters in six or seven locations, and we were ready to go.
"The collaboration with Ian Wolfe and his team was phenomenal, I can't speak highly enough of them," Blanchies added.
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