Unaware of the impending coronavirus pandemic, the Rogers Center (home of the Toronto Blue Jays MLB team) set about replacing a 20-tear-old PA system in 2019. Working with A/V and design consultant Anthony James Partners (AJP), the venue selected an EAW QX series PA as its replacement. With the building shut down in 2020, the Blue Jays played out the season in the US, returning to Toronto for the following season.
Canada-based provider of custom solutions for the audiovisual, live entertainment and media production industries, SF Marketing (SFM) handled the procurement, delivery and testing of the new stadium equipment. AJP and a representative from the Toronto Blue Jays designed the system, while All Pro supplied the gear and managed the installation and tuning. Spark Power handled the integration.
‘In addition to being the local EAW representative in Toronto for the past 24 years, I am also a fan of the Jays and the facility,’ says Rob Deslauriers of SFM. ‘It was exciting to see the prior EAW audio system upgraded to the EAW QX series to achieve an even better fan experience. Current Major League sports require a more immersive experience for fans and the new system does not disappoint.’
A total of 125 EAW QX500 and QX300 Series loudspeakers were installed as part of the main PA on the 500 seating level. The 100 level has three-way QX500 Series boxes and the 200 level features two-way QX300 Series speakers. More than 250 additional EAW loudspeakers were installed throughout the venue, primarily MK8126i two-way passive models along with JF80Z and JF60Z two-way trapezoidal enclosures.
The QX Series delivers very high output point-source clusters in a size-efficient package. The series includes two ranges – QX500 and QX300 – each offering a choice of coverage patterns from identical enclosures. The QX’s broadband pattern control helps tame hostile acoustical environments.
In addition to the audio upgrade, the stadium also added several new visual elements, including a video board and several pole displays, as well as a renovated control room for the following season.
More: www.eaw.com
