Twickenham's JBL Professional Audio Upgrade

The Solution

The system recommended for the stadium is based on JBL Professional’s VLA Compact line array solution. This line array benefits from the premium components found in JBL’s renowned touring systems, but in an installation-friendly package that is IP-rated to remove any worries about damage from water ingress or other weather concerns. The VLA-C clusters are supported by AWC cabinets, which have been used as the under-balcony fills to ensure maximum coverage throughout the space. Finally, PD6322s have also been supplied to cover the pitch when the stadium is hosting events.

Power for the solution is courtesy of Crown Professional’s DCi series amplifiers utilizing the DriveCore which provides high power but very efficient amplification. These have been networked over Dante to provide audio distribution from the centralized DSP solution out into the remote rack rooms. One of the major advantages of the Crown amplifiers has been the support they provide to the life safety element of the system. The stadium needed to ensure that it had the ability to monitor the integrity of the loudspeaker circuits, and that is one of the key functionalities of the DCi.

While there were a lot of elements to work through for both the design and installation of the new solution, the end result is a performance that everyone involved is very proud of.

“It really is a fantastic system,” noted Joe East, Project Director, Sound Technology. “I’ve been fortunate enough to come to a couple of games and just listening to comments from other spectators along the stands, it is clear that it has made a really significant improvement to that matchday experience.”

“It’s phenomenal, it has a really punchy sound and clear announcements that lead to a great atmosphere,” said Daryl Prasad, Vanguardia.

“It sounds really good and everyone is happy with it,” said Eddie Thomas, Clair Global Integration Europe.

“To give them that audio experience alongside of everything else that the RFU and Twickenham do so well, it’s fantastic to work alongside them and we’ve very pleased with the end results,” concluded Justin Hankey, Sales Manager, Installed Sound EMEA, HARMAN Professional Solutions.