Summer of 2021 saw an upgrade to the end-zone scoreboard and sound system at Crusader Stadium in Belton, Texas – home of the NCAA Cru Football team at the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor – completed by Daktronics.
With the aim of doubling the size of the video display area with minimal changes to the existing structure required the new display occupied all available space within the existing structure, however. Additional construction was therefore required above to accommodate the sound system. Due to wind loading concerns, the height of this was restricted to about six feet, limiting the space available to place the loudspeakers. Strict pattern control was also deemed necessary in order to keep sound within the seating bowl, avoid excessive sound levels on the field and at the seats, and minimise sound reflections from the Bawcom Student Union building behind seats on the east side of the stadium.
For long-throw coverage, Daktronics chose six Fulcrum Acoustic AHS speaker modules in the horizontal ‘ribbon’ above the video area of the scoreboard. The available space within the scoreboard structure allowed three stacks of two boxes each, providing sufficient output to achieve the project’s specified sound level for the seating areas.
The high-frequency driver density provides the output needed to minimise high-frequency air loss that becomes problematic over stadium-scale distances.
‘The AH family of loudspeakers showed us that this level of output was possible from a relatively compact enclosure,’ says Fulcrum Acoustic VP of R&D, David Gunness. ‘The AHS is just the next phase of development for long-throw applications; meant to deliver significant high frequency projection and an adjustable vertical pattern to provide the exact coverage required.’
The compact footprint of the AHS Series also allowed the modules to be manoeuvred on-site during installation more easily than larger solutions. ‘Even when stacked, AHS products easily fit within the space provided,’ says Applications Engineer David Sturzenbecher.
‘Maximising video display size is a common requirement for new scoreboards. When designing companion sound systems, smaller is always better,’ says Fulcrum Acoustic Product Developer, Rich Frembes. ‘The fact that the AHS provides precise coverage and substantial output from such a small footprint is a benefit for any stadium.’
Two stacks of two AHS440 modules are splayed left and right of centre to cover the far seating along the sides of the stadium. The 45° horizontal dispersion of the AHS440 maintains lateral uniformity within the coverage pattern. Fulcrum Acoustic’s beam forming DSP algorithms configure the vertical dispersion as required by the specific geometry of the stadium. The middle stack features an AHS440 stacked on an AHS460 (60° horizontal) aimed down the centreline of the field to provide long-throw coverage of the far end as well as coverage of the playing field.
Coverage for seating areas closer to the scoreboard is from two AH463 Coaxial Horns positioned at the outer edges of the scoreboard. A single FH1596 Full Range Coaxial Horn supplies down-fill coverage for the grassy berm and near endzone area. Two additional FH1565 Full Range Coaxial Horns are embedded within separate niches to provide side fill coverage. Two stacks of three Sub218L dual 18-inch subwoofers extend the low frequency response of the system. The low profile of the Sub218L allows for three-high stacks to fit within the available space.
‘It’s an impressive full-range system with a remarkable level of control,’ says Sturzenbecher. ‘I can already imagine utilising the AHS for many more applications, particularly stadiums.’
See also:
Fulcrum Acoustic AHS Series
More: www.fulcrum-acoustic.com
