Newmarket Racecourse, described as the UK’s home of horse racing, has addressed issues and complaints from visitors regarding its PA system by teaming up with AudioTek to complete a major upgrade to the audio system.
Following a full survey of the venue, AudioTek identified certain areas were suffering from aging components and limited frequency bandwidth and has designed and installed a new setup to rectify the problem.
To deliver greater clarity and more intelligibility of speech over the PA, AudioTek opted to use loudspeaker manufacturer Community for solutions to the main spectator standing areas, Premier Enclosure, betting ring, and second and fourth floor balconies.
“We evaluated a number of different brands in EASE, and Community’s R SERIES gave the best acoustic results for the size, weight and budget of the project. The extreme weatherproofing of the loudspeakers as standard was also a big advantage. To its credit, the previous system was installed for a 20-year span, and we are confident we will match that with Community’s reputation for long-term reliability,” said Christopher Kmiec, AudioTek’s UK installation manager.
The main outdoor system comprises six high power Community R2-77Z-EN full-range defined coverage three-way loudspeakers, located under the main canopy at a height of 82ft.
“In addition to high intelligibility speech, the new system was specified to provide good quality music and the R2 delivers both,” explained Kmiec. There are 16 R SERIES R.35-3896 loudspeakers also installed at the racecourse with the system being run from a QSC Q-SYS system, which provide power, monitoring and control of the system, as well as a redundant backup.
“The Community loudspeakers allowed us to model the system in advance, and be confident the results would be achieved in practice. Everyone who has heard the new system cannot believe how loud and clear it sounds,” concluded Kmiec.
June 13, 2018
