The UC Santa Barbara Events Center, a 5,600-seat, indoor multi-purpose stadium also known as The Thunderdome, recently upgraded its sound system to meet the increased audio demands of sporting and entertainment events.
Because of the installation’s physical and electrical restrictions, Acoustic Dimensions, the designer for the project, chose
Powersoft amplifiers to drive the speakers for the new system. Powersoft’s inherent design efficiencies solved the problems caused by these restrictions.
“The hurdles the UC Santa Barbara Events Center installation presented were three fold regarding power amplifiers and these barriers were overcome by employing Powersoft,” says Vance Breshears, LEED accredited design consultant for Acoustic Dimensions.
“We were dealing with a very limited pre-existing rack space for the installation, yet still had to provide the wattage necessary to do the job. The amplifier room was passively vented and not AC cooled, so amplifier heat generation was a big consideration.
“Also, the electric service to the amp room was limited, so current draw was a factor. We suggested Powersoft as the amplifier that could meet the restricted requirements, while still providing more than adequate wattage and the professional sound quality for the system.
“UC Santa Barbara agreed with our recommendation and the results were stunning.”
The Events Center, which hosts basketball, boxing, wrestling and entertainment events, was serviced by an aging end of stadium cluster setup that was limited by directional coverage and hot spots, with reduced clarity and volume at the other end of the stadium.
The new Acoustic Dimensions specified system, installed by AMT Systems, Inc., employed nine Powersoft K6 amplifiers driving EAW MK2364 and MK2396 speakers as a distributed system.
This design approach yielded greater clarity and consistent volume throughout the stadium. As Powersoft amplifiers employ a green-inspired design that offers 90- to 96-percent operational efficiency, the choice was clear for the restricted environment at UC Santa Barbara.
“The efficiency of Powersoft products was pivotal for the Events Center installation,” Breshears continues. “Powersoft amps have significant advantages in a variety of aspects over traditional designed amplifiers.
“If you look at power consumption over a long period of time there will be substantial savings. They also generate less heat and require less cooling than other amplifiers and this also generates a substantial savings. And, because they have a smaller footprint, they use up less rack space.
“Finally, they draw less current for the same power output, so all these elements fit the bill perfectly for the UC Santa Barbara Events Center.”
