JBL and Crown create audio solution for Twickenham stadium

The new sound system at this historic London sports venue is based on a VLA Compact line array from JBL Professional and in the DCi series amplifiers of Crown.

He Twickenham stadium, with capacity for 82.000 people and official headquarters of the English rugby team, has opted to offer an optimal audio experience to fans and attendees at a wide range of events, where sound quality throughout the venue is combined with intelligibility, in addition to complying with voice alarm regulations for public address systems (PAVE) to ensure safety.

For this project, those responsible for the stadium have had the collaboration of the acoustic consultant Vanguard, and entertainment experience specialists Clair Global Integration Europe y Sound Technology.

The new audio system is based on the compact VLA speakers and subwoofers by JBL Professional, that combine this manufacturer's touring linear array technology with a permanent installation bracket with IP rating.

Speakers have also been installed in the venue JBL AWC to cover the filling needs under the balcony and resistance to all types of weather conditions, to which are added those of the model PD-6322 to cover the playing field.

To achieve efficient high-power amplification in the stadium, the DCi series amplifiers that they use DriveCore from the manufacturer Crown Audio, networked through Dante for audio distribution from centralized DSP solution to remote rack rooms.

One of the main advantages of Crown amplifiers has been the support they provide for system security, as the stadium needed the ability to monitor the integrity of the speaker circuits, and that is one of the key functionalities of the DCi.

PA/VA system supported

One of the requirements to guarantee the safety of visitors and staff in the stadium is that the audio system had to be compatible and comply with the voice alarm regulations for PA/VA public address systems..

This is stated by the stadium project director, Steven Carver: “we had to make sure we met the British Standard recommendations within the venue. Without the public address system to broadcast those emergency messages, obviously the stadium couldn't function, so it is one of the key parts of the project”.

Mark Lynch, stadium executive director, emphasizes that “human security is absolutely critical. That is the fundamental part of the delivery and management of any stadium. Besides, The fan experience is increasingly important and creating it through audio is key and goes beyond rugby. We do concerts, conferences, events… and changing this place to turn it into a truly multi-purpose stadium and it is sure to be backed by a quality audio system”.