Simonds Stadium installs Australia’s first HARMAN BSS Audio Soundweb London BLU-805 AVB system

Multi-purpose venue Simonds Stadium recently undertook its latest stage of renovation, which included the addition of a new southern grandstand that increases seating capacity to more than 35,000. As part of the programme of work, the stadium was equipped with a HARMAN BSS Audio Soundweb London BLU-805 AVB system, making it the first venue in Australia to benefit from the extensive audio-video bridging system.

The BLU-805 provides 64 incoming AVB channels and 64 outgoing AVB channels at 48kHz or 32 incoming AVB channels and 32 outgoing AVB channels at 96kHz. The stadium utilises the HiQnet London Architect software for configuration, control and monitoring of the system. The audio is fed from the Soundweb London devices via BLU link to the HARMAN Crown CTS amplifiers in various rack rooms that drive the speaker system.

“The main audio feed is derived from the existing system control which is about 300 metres away from the new racks, so we used AVB to link from that system to the new zone,” explains Bill Busbridge, managing director of Total Events Co. “The BLU-805 picked up its feeds nicely. The BLU-805 also controls three function spaces and it certainly made our job a lot easier.”

Australia-based Total Events Co. performed the installation, which also included the incorporation of a new grandstand PA featuring JBL AWC129 and AWC82 all-weather loudspeakers. In addition, JBL Control 25AV speakers cover the walkways and JBL ceiling speakers cover the function spaces.

“We installed 14 JBL AWC129 speakers and 16 JBL AWC82 speakers for the seating bowl and under balcony fills,” remarks Busbridge. “We chose them as they are robust, high powered and totally suitable for the application. They also fitted in well with the architect’s aesthetic requirements.”

Commenting on the simplicity the BSS Audio system offers, Busbridge adds: “I’ve been back a couple of times to tweak the system and it is really simple to patch back in and make changes on the fly.”