Home to the Houston Astros and Washington Nationals baseball clubs, the new 160-acre Ballpark of the Palm Beaches complex comprises a 6,500-seat main field, 12 practice fields and seven multi-sports fields for soccer, lacrosse, football and rugby. The main stadium sound is served by high-end system based on 24 Renkus-Heinz Iconyx ICL-FR line arrays.
Main stadium amenities include six premium suites for up to 15 guests, two party decks with food service and a full bar for up to 100. ‘Since this is an outdoor stadium, one big requirement was that the speakers have a IP54 outdoor rating, and Renkus-Heinz’ IC Live speakers satisfy that requirement,’ says Ben Cating, Senior Consultant and VP at technology design firm Idibri and Project Manager for all technology systems at the venue.
‘Another challenge was mounting,’ he continues. ‘Underneath the main stadium are a number of slender columns that support the press box, which we used to mount some of the Renkus-Heinz arrays. Where there are no supporting columns, we used ten custom speaker poles, five on each side. We designed the system, including the network. Pearson Audio did a great job with the installation, including the mounting solution, which is very clean.’
Although the mounting system was well done, there remained an unavoidable issue: ‘Typically, in a situation like this, you use a long-throw and a short-throw loudspeaker. But there is no overhang or canopy on the speaker poles, so we couldn’t put a big speaker enclosure on an overhang and aim it down at the people.’
Idibri’s solution was a series of 24 Renkus-Heinz ICL-FR steerable arrays-enough to reach every section of the stands with even coverage. ‘Self-powered Renkus-Heinz ICL-FR line arrays were effective because each unit is steerable with an adjustable aiming angle from -30° to +30°,’ explains Ben Boeshans, Systems Audio Designer for Idibri. ‘They put the sound right where we needed it. The system even covers a little bit of the field, although that’s not a target. And the sound quality is excellent, very clear and intelligible.’
The ICL-FR easily delivers the power and throw needed for the stadium, delivering 105dB SPL peak at 100 feet. ‘The Renkus-Heinz ICL-FRs fit with the architecture, as well,’ he says. ‘It’s a slim, vertical enclosure that blends right in. To the extent you notice the speakers, they actually look pretty cool.’
The stadium opened in time for 2017 spring training: ‘The Astros and Nationals have been playing ball all spring,’ Cating reports, ‘and the Ballpark of the Palm Beaches has already proven to be a wonderful venue. The audio system is an important part of that; the Renkus-Heinz system is doing a stellar job. If you’re in Palm Beach, and you like sports, come check it out.’
More: www.renkus-heinz.com
