Accompanying the return of Manchester Storm Ice Hockey Club to the AO Arena, UK-based installation specialist DizzyFish delivering a comprehensive audio solution including Wharfedale Pro has supplied a new large-scale Wharfedale Pro has supplied loudspeaker system to enhance the match-night experience for thousands of supporters.
Competing in the Elite Ice Hockey League (EIHL), Manchester Storm returned to the AO Arena for the 2026/27 season, marking the club’s first appearance at its former home in more than two decades. The move to the considerably larger venue presented an opportunity to upgrade the club’s audio system, providing the power, coverage and clarity required for one of the UK’s largest indoor sporting arenas.
Having previously installed Wharfedale Pro loudspeakers at Manchester Storm’s former home, DizzyFish was approached to develop a new system capable of delivering the same audio quality on a substantially larger scale. The club’s positive experience with its previous installation played an important role in the decision to continue using Wharfedale Pro.
The new system comprises WLA-115 line array elements and WLA-118Sub subwoofers, arranged across eight suspended arrays throughout the arena. Powered by seven Wharfedale Pro DP-4100F amplifiers, the installation has been designed to deliver consistent audio coverage across both upper and lower seating tiers, supporting everything from match announcements and player introductions to music and goal celebrations.
A central consideration during the design process was the arena’s multi-purpose configuration. In addition to ice hockey, the AO Arena hosts major concerts, live entertainment and sporting events, requiring a permanent audio installation that would not interfere with other productions.
With strict limitations on loudspeaker placement, DizzyFish positioned the arrays between the venue’s structural beams, approximately 29m above the playing surface. This considerable mounting height introduced additional challenges in achieving consistent coverage across the steeply tiered seating areas.
The hybrid curvature design of the WLA-1 Series proved particularly well suited to the installation. By carefully configuring the curvature of each array, DizzyFish was able to direct sound from the highest seating tiers down towards spectators at ice level, providing the necessary vertical coverage while working within the venue’s structural constraints.
The positioning of the equipment also introduced challenges for signal distribution. With the amplifiers installed in the roof space, close to areas containing high-power electrical infrastructure, conventional copper signal cabling presented potential interference concerns. To address this, DizzyFish implemented fibre-optic signal runs between the venue’s mixing system and the amplifiers, helping maintain signal integrity across the installation.
For Manchester Storm, the investment in a new audio system forms an important part of delivering an engaging experience for supporters at the club’s new home. ‘Outstanding sound quality plays a vital role in bringing the arena to life,’ says Manchester Storm IHC Director of Operations, Mark Noakes. ‘Wharfedale Pro speakers represent the kind of powerful, clear, and immersive audio experience that can elevate match-night entertainment, player introductions, goal celebrations, and music throughout the venue. When the crowd is roaring and the atmosphere reaches its peak, fantastic sound helps make every moment more memorable.’
The installation demonstrates the flexibility of Wharfedale Pro’s loudspeaker portfolio, with the WLA-1 Series providing a practical solution to the complex coverage and positioning requirements of a major indoor arena.