Since opening in late 2021, Seattle’s Climate Pledge Arena has set its sights on becoming the most progressive, responsible and sustainable arena in the world, with a net-zero carbon status, no single-use plastic, water conservation and zero waste as some of its initial ambitions. Idibri was brought in to provide audio in the arena’s suites to support audio extension, background music and local TV audio.
Reinvigorated thanks to US$1.15bm of private investment, the 18,100-capacity arena is ready to host a number of sports, including hockey and basketball, as well as live concerts and events. The new venue replaces the KeyArena venue ‘that was too small and outdated’.
‘The [original] arena’s roof is a historic landmark and couldn’t be torn down, so it had to be lifted off for work to begin,’ says Idibri Senior Consultant David Battershell. ‘The rest of the building was then completely dismantled, the floor was lowered 20ft, and the new arena was built up to where the original roof would eventually be replaced.’
As A/V design consultant for the arena’s new construction, Battershell selected Powersoft’s Mezzo as his amplifier platform, supporting JBL loudspeakers and a BSS London DSP system. ‘We thought that the Mezzo would be well-suited to being installed behind the televisions in each of the suites,’ he explains. ‘We used them to provide an audio input for local TV audio, amplification for local speakers, and IP audio connection to the bowl audio feeds. Mezzo has the feature set we wanted, as well as being very well-priced for such high quality.’
Providing the sound clarity, reliability and build quality of Powersoft install amplifiers in a half-rack form factor, Mezzo offers integrators an industry leading power-to-size ratio, meaning fewer amplifiers (with a smaller size) are required to run the same PA system, directly impacting CO2 emissions.
The bowl audio feeds for the Seattle venue were designed to come from a single FOH console via Dante and stream to the Mezzo infrastructure, comprising 58 units. Local audio from TVs themselves were connected directly via the analogue inputs on the Mezzo units, while Bluetooth audio inputs (AtteroTech unD6IO-BT) were able to steam to Mezzo via Dante. ‘Mezzo was something we have wanted for several years,’ says Battershell. ‘Powersoft heard our design requirements and delivered exactly what we needed.’
‘The Powersoft amplifiers give us total control over the individual level, EQ, and audio routing to each suite in the arena,’ adds Climate Pledge ArenaVP of Technology, Dave Curry. ‘The Mezzo amplifiers have performed very well so far, and the feedback from guests has been very positive. The quality of the sound system and acoustics in the arena are consistently complimented on guest surveys, and the Mezzo amplifiers are integral to smooth running of this system.’
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