50 EVH Series horn-loaded point-source speakers
19 dual 15-inch EVF Series subwoofers
7 IPX Series amplifiers
2 MXE5-64 Matrix Mix Engines
The Hawthorns, West Bromwich Albion
A 125-year-old stadium gets clear sound every fan can hear and rely on
Once named "the best stadium of all 92 in the Premier League and English Football League," The Hawthorns gets a makeover and combines powerful match-day sound and voice alarm in one Electro-Voice and Dynacord system.
Case Study
Installed Sound
Europe
Sports Venues
The Hawthorns, West Bromwich Albion
A 125-year-old stadium gets clear sound every fan can hear and rely on
Case Study
Installed Sound
Europe
Sports Venues
Once named "the best stadium of all 92 in the Premier League and English Football League," The Hawthorns gets a makeover and combines powerful match-day sound and voice alarm in one Electro-Voice and Dynacord system.
- Venue
- The Hawthorns
- Location
- West Bromwich, England
- Install Partner
- UK Audio Angineering
- Product highlights
- Electro-Voice EVH, EVF · Dynacord IPX, MXE5
The Challenge
Iconic site, big responsibility
As the Hawthorns marks 125 years as West Bromwich Albion’s home, the club required a new sound system that could carry both the match-day audio and the stadium's emergency evacuation messages. The old system was no longer delivering the clear sound that would help the fans immerse themselves in the game and struggled to meet the high standards expected of public address systems.
A site this old came with few technical records, so UK Audio Engineering's team had to go back to basics: counting steps and seats and measuring roof heights to build a simulation model that pinpointed the optimal loudspeaker positions.
The solution
One system for two jobs
The new setup is built around a ProSound system with point source loudspeakers, powered by networked DSP amplifiers and controlled by a central DSP matrix. A fully redundant PA/VA system handles voice evacuation, and both systems are connected over a Dante audio network. The entire installation complies with European and British life safety standards. Sharing the same loudspeakers lowers installation costs, while energy-efficient amplifier technology cuts power consumption in daily operation.
"Some venues install separate entertainment and life-safety systems and end up paying for speakers and installation twice."
Adam OsborneGrowth Manager, Keenfinity Group
The Result
50 loudspeakers and 19 subs powered by just seven amps
The entire stadium is covered by horn-loaded EVH Series point source loudspeakers and EVF Series dual 15-inch subwoofers, all driven by Dynacord IPX Series amplifiers, each delivering up to 20,000 watts. Just seven amplifiers power the whole stadium, and their ecoRAIL mode lets them use less energy and run cooler. Two Dynacord MXE5-64 Matrix Mix Engines handle processing and system control, with one running in standby.
A PRAESENSA PA/VA system is used for voice evacuation and feeds into the Electro-Voice and Dynacord system over Dante. The installation is fully redundant, so no single fault can take it down, and it meets EN 54 and BS 5839, the standards for life safety evacuation systems.
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