FORT WORTH, TX – Home to the Texas Christian University (TCU) Horned Frogs' football team, Amon G. Carter Stadium is currently undergoing a multi-million-dollar rebuild, with construction scheduled to be completed in 2012. The stadium's new audio system, however, was completed in time for the 2011 football season. Installed by Fort Worth, Texas-based Electro Acoustics, the system features a variety of JBL loudspeakers, including VLA line arrays.
The new audio system includes 20 VLA601H high-output, 3-way, full-range loudspeakers, eight VLA601 3-way, full-range loudspeakers and eight VLA301H high-output, 3-way, full-range loudspeakers hanging from the scoreboard behind the north end zone. Throughout the seating and pedestrian traffic areas, there are also 189 Control 26CT, 89 Control 25AV, 28 Control 227CT, 15 Control 28T-60 and seven Control 321CT loudspeakers. An additional 11 AM7212/00 loudspeakers, eight ASB6128 subwoofers, four PD5322/95 and a pair of PD743 loudspeakers round out the system.
Designed by Acoustic Dimensions, San Antonio, Texas, with project manager Ian Cresswell at the helm, the project was scheduled down to the minute as the entire team dealt with construction on the stadium. The most challenging aspect was ensuring the sound and building contractors did not interfere with each other, which would cause delays for all and possibly push the whole project over budget.
As noted by Electro Acoustics president Chris Jordan, by working with the contractors and electricians, Electro Acoustics was able to construct, program and test the equipment in their shop prior to shipping it to the job site for installation as the construction schedule permitted, and that helped keep the project on time and within budget.
"JBL has proven itself as a reliable, high-quality performer over the decades, which aligns itself perfectly with the reputation of Horned Frogs football," said Jordan. "With a team that is constantly in the national spotlight and drawing sell-out crowds, it is important to have a stadium that not only looks like it hosts a national caliber team, but one that also excites the crowd and offers that extra ‘wow' factor. The VLA system throughout the stadium is top-quality and performs exceptionally."
The sound system is powered by Crown amplifiers and processed through BSS BLU technology. The system is controlled through Harman's HiQnet System Architect.
"We've had a great relationship with TCU over the past 20 years, and they continue to rely on our experience to do exactly what we promise in a contract," Jordan said. "The system sounds great. TCU expected a loud and clear system to excite their fans and players and that's exactly what we installed. There is plenty of headroom, low distortion and it is absolutely clear."
"I've received multiple compliments, from university administrators, coaches, players and even folks around the neighborhood," Jordan added. "We couldn't ask for a better response."
For more information, please visit www.harman.com and www.eavi.com.
