RCF has completed the installation of a new sound system at the 61,000-seat MHP Arena Stuttgart, part of a wider renovation of the venue. Compliant with UEFA and FIFA standards, the sound system serves the arena itself and public areas, and is capable of delivering 1MW of continuous power from more than 400 speaker modules.
Established in the 1930s, the MHP Arena Stuttgart has been a cornerstone for sporting events since 1963, and is renowned as the first regional German stadium to host 1,000 Bundesliga matches. The renovation also includes a new media infrastructure, marking a significant step in enhancing Stuttgart’s standing on the global stage for sports.
Ebert Ingenieure MD, Matthias Zorn, led the project, with Richard Merget of RM Audio Engineering ensuring all specifications were met. AVEO GmbH, a leading firm in media technology, managed the installation, working closely with Marcus Bretschneider, Head of Arena Operations & Services at VfB Stuttgart.
‘The roof structure of the MHP Arena is based on ring-shaped and radial steel cables – both the attachment and the dimensioning of the loudspeaker systems and their mounts were therefore subject to considerable restrictions,’ says Wolfgang Huber from AVEO. ‘The use of standard rigging components was not possible. Despite this, the installation was worth the effort; we developed special components for rigging and our collaboration with the RCF ESG team made the integration much easier. The focus was on optimising the overall weight of the system.’
Georg Hofmann of RCF Germany’s Engineering Support Group provided expertise in planning and observing logistical and technological requirements. Hofmann noted the need for a system capable of handling extreme sound levels while ensuring clear speech intelligibility throughout the stadium.
‘The dual use of the system as a voice alarm plays a crucial role, as it aids in the efficient evacuation of the stadium during emergencies without the need to install a secondary audio system,’ Hofmann explains.
In all, the installation comprises 187 HL 40WP line array modules, 36 HL 38-S subwoofers, 16 HL2290/HL2260 horn loudspeakers, 73 P 4228W loudspeaker modules, and 32 Compact C45 point-source loudspeakers. Powered by 66 RCF XPS 16KD amplifiers connected on a Dante network, the system boasts 264 channels, each with 4kW of continuous power. Specifically designed Q-Sys plug-ins are used for sound system control and monitoring. Since becoming operational, the new system has received positive feedback for both its coverage and sound quality.
More: www.rcf.it
