The new PNC Park in Pittsburgh, offering a fully distributed sound system.

Custom loudspeakers attached to the face of the deck and supplying coverage to the field level.

These custom loudspeakers – 17 total - were developed in partnership with Eastern Acoustic Works (EAW). The three-way loudspeakers, called PNC100, offer horn-loaded midrange and high-frequency sections, supplying 40 degrees by 60 degrees coverage. Components are housed in unique five-sided cabinet that help supply optimum firing angles while fitting snuggly against the fascia of the upper deck, where they blend in well with the park’s “old-time-ballpark” motif.

The PNC100’s, firing downward, supply coverage to the main seating level all the way to the field. Coverage to substantial seating areas on the main level that are shadowed by the suite deck are covered by groups of loudspeakers attached to the underside of that deck and spaced so that their coverage patterns tail off in the main aisles. These loudspeakers include two-way EAW MQ Series loudspeakers as well as Renkus-Heinz SR81-12 compact two-way loudspeakers.

The upper deck is covered by groups of higher-power loudspeakers mounted to the canopy structure rising from the rear of the deck. Each of these clusters includes an EAW ASR660 (60 x 60) three-way loudspeaker reaching all the way to the front edge, with Electro-Voice Sx300 full-range loudspeakers picking up at the mid section and a compact EAW AOS130 making a relatively short throw to the back rows.

Community SLS960 three-way loudspeakers – pole mounted – handle coverage in the right outfield bleacher seating, while three EAW MQV2366 full-range boxes, mounted atop the scoreboard, handle the left field bleachers. Note that all loudspeakers, from all suppliers, include substantial weatherproofing to withstand Pittsburgh’s wildly varying climate.

Outdoor seating areas in front of each luxury suite receive reinforcement from compact OWI 5755 loudspeakers mounted above. EV Sx80 compact two-way loudspeakers are mounted in the concourses on all levels, with PAS P-100 speakers, wall-mounted, supplying PA announcements at the gates.

SPL Integrated Solutions of Columbia, Maryland, partnered with WJHW on the project, providing installation as well as custom engineering services. (Simultaneously, SPL was installing a system at the new Miller Park in Milwaukee.)

Time alignment of all loudspeakers in the stadium bowl is crucial, with WJHW establishing the powerful upper canopy loudspeakers as “ground zero” for this process, and all other loudspeaker delay parameters established accordingly. Four White Instruments ParaMedic 26 DSP units supply all processing parameters, including delay, to the bowl loudspeakers.