L-Acoustics carries out its first installation with the L series in a sports venue

AEG y L-Acoustics have teamed up to offer a better sound experience in the Uber Arena from Berlin. Five suspended L2 speakers have been installed, ocho delay X8 for the VIP restaurant and six X12 Under Led Video Cube.

Berlin's iconic Uber Arena has optimized its audio solution with a professional L-Acoustics L2 system, what according to the manufacturer, It represents the first installation of the L series in a sports venue.

This multipurpose enclosure 17.000 seating, home of the Eisbären Berlin ice hockey team and the Alba Berlin basketball club, welcomes up to 180 events per year, ranging from games to concerts. It has hosted performances by artists such as Metallica, Coldplay, Barbra Streisand, U2 y Foo Fighters, and events like the Euroleague Final Four, NBA and NHL games, the European Men's Basketball Championship, the IHF World Handball Championship and the MTV Europe Music Awards.

“Our previous system, installed in 2008, had given us good results, but it no longer met the demands of current events.”, confirmed Sebastian Rossman, Director of Venue Operations at AEG, who manages the stadium. “We needed a solution that could deliver crystal-clear sound for both sports fans and music lovers and that, at the same time, will adapt to the 30 different configurations that our venue requires to respond to the various events we organize”.

To meet this challenge, Rossman turned to the expertise of consultants MMT Network already PAM Events, long-time stadium sound partners, who selected L-Acoustics equipment.

L Series: sound for every occasion

Felix Maiworm, MMT Network project engineer, explains why the L2 system stood out: “We face unique challenges, including the need for a uniform, long-term sound pressure level of 99 dB in all seats and the management of the complex acoustics of the venue. “The cardioid pattern of the L series was crucial for controlling the lower frequencies and dominating the reverberant field of the room.”.

New configuration includes five suspended L2 speakers, two facing south and one facing north, another to the east and another to the west. Eight are used X8 delay speakers for the VIP restaurant and six X12 speakers Under Led Video Cube. The sound system is powered by amplified controllers from L-Acoustics and managed by its processors. This configuration guarantees optimal coverage for each seat in the venue, whether for a high-level hockey game or a sold-out rock concert.

“Upgrading to L2 offers great flexibility”, says Thomas Moritz, CEO of PAM Events. “Now we can create delay lines for concerts and deliver exceptional sound for sporting events.”, satisfying our diverse needs in all possible configurations”.

Secure investment in the fan experience

The compact design of the L Series also addressed the physical limitations of the stadium, allowing shorter items to be hung that do not interfere with sight lines or the venue's elaborate ceiling structure. This aspect is particularly beneficial for the stadium's frequent transitions between sports and concert venues and means that the system can be lifted and parked above the main grid when not in use..

System coverage, which is significantly different between basketball and ice hockey, can be easily adjusted using the FIR autofilter algorithm in LA Network Manager, no need for mechanical adjustments, saving labor costs and time.

“The success of this project is a testament to the fluid cooperation between L-Acoustics, PAM Events, MMT Network and our team at Uber Arena”, Rossman adds.. “Everyone involved was committed to achieving the best possible outcome for our fans and artists”.

The new L-Acoustics L2 professional sound system made its debut in late September with shows by Nick Cave and Bad Seeds.