Bose Professional guarantees the sound power of the Stadium of Light

ArenaMatch technology Bose Professional, with the integration of Solotech, enhances the sound experience in this iconic English football stadium both during matches and at the concerts and events held there.

Home of the English football team Sunderland A.F.C., the iconic stadium of light, with capacity for 48.707 spectators and among the ten largest in the United Kingdom, has completed an ambitious renewal process ranging from spaces for the public and the grass of the playing field, to lighting and sound systems.

In order to offer fans and visitors a new level of sound that would involve them more in the action and atmosphere during the matches, its managers have counted on the audiovisual solutions integrator Solotech, with the prescription of technology Bose Professional.

“We needed a substitute that was not simply a short-term remedy, but something that will last long into the future - he explains Chris Ferguson, stadium facilities manager. Sound infrastructure is crucial not only for matches, but also for high profile concerts and security system, for which we evaluate different proposals from integrators and the technological offer of various manufacturers”.

The design and installation of the new sound system had to overcome the architectural particularities of each stand, from wide spaces to tight corners, all limited by the weight that the roof structure could support.

To solve it, the Bose Modeler acoustic prediction software, “which allows us to mix and match the right components, obtain high performance and the necessary coverage”, points out Ben Green, Solotech integration project manager.

At the heart of the system are the ArenaMatch line array speakers by Bose Professional, including models AM10, AM20 and AM40, with a total of twenty-eight sets, each with sixteen enclosures suspended from the stadium roof.

Their different vertical dispersion angles and the guides custom adjustable horizontal waves provide a accurate coverage, ensuring sound reaches every seat. “This configuration allows us to reach the last rows and corners, areas that are usually difficult in stadiums like this”, point Andrew Horsburgh, Bose Professional Regional Sales Engineer.

The system is powered by 38 Bose PowerShareX amplifiers. Each channel drives a single speaker, which ensures redundancy and the ability to broadcast messages by voice, fundamental to guarantee the safety of the public in the stadium. “It is a technically sophisticated configuration, but that offers intelligibility and musicality, just what you expect from a modern stadium”, Green adds..

With a quick and precise installation before starting the season, the fluid collaboration between those responsible for Sunderland, Bose Professional and Solotech have been key to success. “The commercial conditions and delivery times were clear and transparent, Continuous work and fantastic integrator performance. The most satisfactory thing has been the response from the fans since the first game. “Our fan engagement team was able to create an absolutely incredible atmosphere using the system.”, Ferguson emphasizes.

Uses of the sound system

• Improve the experience in matches: ensures clarity of voice announcements, music and information on lineups and substitutions, elevating the fan experience.
• Suitable for concerts
• Security and communication: with intelligible voice message broadcast and evacuation and redundancy in each amplification channel, essential for emergency information.
• Multipurpose events: The versatility of the sound system makes it easy to hold corporate events, e-sports competitions and community activities, promoting the use of the venue beyond football matches.