POWERSOFT AND EAW POWER FRENCH STADIUM

In preparation to being a major host of sports tournaments this summer, France’s 59,000-capactiy Parc Olympique Lyonnais stadium has had a distributed sound reinforcement system installed, served by Powersoft Ottocanali multi-channel amplifiers and EAW’s point source QX loudspeakers. French audio distributor Axente worked together with integration specialists Groupe SNEF and Axians to design the system.

The eight-channel Ottocanali amps provide 144 independently configurable channels to drive the QX loudspeakers. Each 2RU device delivers up to 8000W of Class D power across eight channels into a 4-ohm load.

Ultimately, four Ottocanali 4K4 and 14 Ottocanali 12K4 power a distributed system made up of 20 QX loudspeakers clusters mounted 35m high under the gangway. Custom hanging hardware designed by SNEF was used to mount the loudspeakers. The majority of the system is comprised of 16 clusters made up of two QX596i and one QX564i, bi-amped, with the QX596i shooting down to cover the first and second tiers of seating while the QX564i covers the upper tier. The four corner clusters consist of one QX596i and one QX564i positioned to cover the corner seating areas.

The three-way, point source QX596i and QX564i loudspeakers load ultra-efficient mid-high compression drivers (90 x 45 and 60 x 45 respectively) with a constant directivity horn. Four Phase Aligned 12-inch low frequency transducers arranged as vertical and horizontal pairs leverage beneficial interaction based on their spacing to extend pattern control will into the low frequency range.

Axente’s Alain Hercman recommended the Powersoft/EAW system. “The quality of this amplifier platform is far superior to others and allows us to use fewer amplifiers,” he explains. “When combined with the state-of-the-art QX Series — which provide tremendous output and intelligibility — it was a win-win situation.”

Hercman also notes that the ‘green’ credentials, as well as reliability, supreme sonic fidelity and dual redundant power supply contributed to the decision to utilise Powersoft. By implementing two redundant universal switch mode power supplies withPFC and patented SRM (Smart Rails Management) technology, not only is the efficiency of the system maximised, but power consumption also drastically reduced.

The Symetrix Radius matrix router runs Dante. The network architecture is designed around a master control room and two subsidiaries linked by Dante. Taking analogue feeds from the Symetrix matrix router’s Dante extension cards, the 12K4 devices feed the low-end sections (mono bridged at eight ohms) and the 4K4 manages the mid and high sections.

Nicolas Houel, Technical Manager at OL Images commented: “In terms of audio qualities, we wanted something that would be impeccable. We wanted to broadcast any source in any areas of the stadium, hence the Dante matrix. When people come to this stadium, they get a real show, both visually and sonically. The result is a great installation for football fans which will resonate in the years to come.”

More Info:
Powersoft: www.powersoft-audio.com
EAW: www.eaw.com
Australian Distributor: www.pavt.com.au