HARMAN Profeional Solutions Helps University of Utah Turn Up the Volume and Turn Down the Noise

HARMAN Professional Solutions Helps University of Utah Turn Up the Volume and Turn Down the Noise posted: 04/11/2016

WJHW and Performance Audio install a massive distributed sound system made up of JBL speakers, Crown amplifiers and BSS Audio networked audio systems at Rice-Eccles Stadium

The University of Utah recently updated its Rice-Eccles Stadium with a complete audio system from HARMAN Professional Solutions. Dallas-based sound and visual consultant WJHW was hired to design the new system, and local systems integrator Performance Audio provided installation services. The university wanted to replace its old point source sound system to reduce community noise impact in nearby residential areas and provide a better audio experience for audiences. To meet these goals, WJHW designed an innovative distributed audio solution made up of JBL speakers, Crown power amplifiers and BSS Audio networked audio systems.

The university was really forward-thinking in terms of reducing the noise impact on the community while also delivering high-quality sound, and they were willing to do what it took to achieve both, said Jack Wrightson, Principal at WJHW. Column arrays, as we've used before, wouldn't work in this stadium because the throw distances were too far. They wanted a bigger and more impactful system, so we really had to create a one-of-a-kind solution to make it all work.

Rice-Eccles is a large, single-bowl stadium with nowhere to hang speakers other than six light towers. WJHW developed a concept that involved adding 17 50-foot speaker poles around the upper rim of the stadium to mount the loudspeakers. Weight and wind were major concerns from a structural engineering standpoint, and they wanted to use the smallest speakers possible while still delivering the required output. WJHW system designer Michael Murph selected new JBL Precision Directivity Series PD743i-215 speakers for their compact size and full-bandwidth output. For the light towers, they selected JBL Variable Line Array (VLA) Series loudspeakers. The entire system is powered by Crown DriveCore Install Series amplifiers.

When you're putting something on top of a 50-foot pole, the weight and surface area to the wind are really important, said Wrightson. We needed compact speakers with high directivity, and they also needed to be full range, because we didn't want to attach a separate woofer box to the pole. The PD700i Series speakers are a combination of reasonable weight and a small package, which was important for the pole mounting. They also enabled us to get the directivity we wanted out of the mids and highs without having to add a separate woofer box.

Once the speakers were installed, Performance Audio and WJHW spent three days adjusting the DSP, and tuning and balancing the massive system. The audio teams were up against a tight deadline to complete the project-the university needed the entire system ready in time to host the 2016 Nitro World games, a major action sports competition. To complicate the process even further, they had to work in the middle of the night to avoid interfering with a municipal train line that runs behind the stadium. By working with HARMAN Professional Solutions, Performance Audio and WJHW were able to streamline the entire installation process, quickly deal with any unexpected challenges and complete the project on schedule.

One of the great things about this project was the integration and communication between the HARMAN brands, said Jake Peery, Install Manager and Systems Designer at Performance Audio. For example, if a Crown amp and a JBL speaker needed to be optimized, the HARMAN team members were willing to reach out and work with each other to find a solution for us. It saved us a ton of time when it came down to putting in crossover settings and the technical side of the install. We were also able to work with JBL and Crown to get some really solid speaker presets. It was a really large project for us, and having that partnership gave us a ton of confidence-I wouldn't want to do it any other way.

ABOUT HARMAN

HARMAN designs and engineers connected products and solutions for automakers, consumers, and enterprises worldwide, including connected car systems, audio and visual products, enterprise automation solutions, and connected services. With leading brands including AKG , Harman Kardon , Infinity , JBL , Lexicon , Mark Levinson and Revel , HARMAN is admired by audiophiles, musicians and the entertainment venues where they perform around the world. More than 25 million automobiles on the road today are equipped with HARMAN audio and connected car systems. The Company's software services power billions of mobile devices and systems that are connected, integrated and secure across all platforms, from work and home to car and mobile. HARMAN has a workforce of approximately 29,000 people across the Americas, Europe, and Asia and reported sales of $6.9 billion during the 12 months ended June 30, 2016. The Company's shares are traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol NYSE:HAR.

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