Arvest Ballpark, the 6,500-seat ballpark in Springdale, Arkansas for the Northwest Arkansas Naturals, the Texas League/Double-A affiliate for the Kansas City Royals, features PA system headed by EAW MK2300 and MK5300 Series loudspeakers backed by EAW KF750 high-output point source loudspeakers with the company’s proprietary V4 Technology.
The system was installed by Springdale-based Commercial Audio Systems (www.comaudsys.com) and specified by Gary White of Dallas-based AV systems consultant WJHW (www.wjhw.com).
The facility was named 2008 Ballpark of the Year by ballparks.com, and is served by a distributed sound system including 21 MK2326WP weather-protected two-way full-range installation loudspeakers with 12-inch woofers, 23 MK5326WP weather-protected two-way full-range installation loudspeakers with 15-inch woofers, and a pair of KF750 high-output loudspeakers.
The system evenly and consistently covers all areas of spectator seating without spilling over into the neighboring houses.
The loudspeaker installation process, in harsh winter weather, proved quite challenging, according to Jim Crews, Co-Owner and President of Commercial Audio Systems.
Typical of a baseball stadium to be hanging loud speakers at a height of over 50 feet in 20-degree weather, and with sleet and snow blowing at forty miles an hour,” Crews recalled. “This installation required quality, reliability and of course the delivery of great sound, and EAW was able to meet all three criteria easily.”
Crews added that his firm has enjoyed excellent experiences on other projects with EAW components. “We’ve used them in other sports venue installations, and they’re definitely a pleasure to work with.”
