Blackpool FC has finished a significant sound system improvement at Bloomfield Road before the season begins. A new public address and emergency voice alarm setup from Nexo was put in to better the audio for fans on matchdays and for safety.
Protec Fire & Security performed the installation over six weeks in the off-season. The work required taking out the old stadium audio gear and wiring before setting up new equipment in all four stands.
System specifications and coverage
Twenty-one Nexo P12 point-source loudspeaker cabinets were set up in the three fixed stands. Six of these serve the Stan Mortensen North Stand, seven are in the Sir Stanley Matthews West Stand, and eight are in the Jimmy Armfield South Stand. The temporary East Stand received nine Nexo P10 speakers.
The P12 cabinets have horn flanges for an asymmetrical 60-100 by 40-degree spread of sound. The P10 models use a 110 by 60-degree pattern. This layout, planned using acoustic models from Nexo's engineers, seeks to give even coverage and clear speech for every seat in the 16,500-capacity venue.
Technical integration and project delivery
System power and processing come from four Nexo NXAMP4X2Mk2 Powered TD Controllers, each with a Dante network card. The audio and Public Address Voice Alarm (PAVA) work was done at the same time as other stadium improvements, like new LED lights and repairs to the East Stand.
Paul Faulkner, Protec's audio manager, stated the system performs very well. "The Emergency Voice Alarm Sound System has delivered exceptional performance, providing clear, intelligible audio coverage throughout the stadium," Faulkner said.
Glynn Makin, who manages stadium operations and facilities for Blackpool, endorses Protec and Nexo to other football grounds after the project went smoothly.
The upgrade is part of Blackpool's effort to enhance the matchday experience while the team aims to move up the standings. Their recent form shows they have taken just two points from their last five matches.
More detail at lsionline.com
