As part of an $8 million renovation project, Melching Field at Conrad Park, the home to the Stetson University Hatters Division I baseball team in DeLand, FL, Orlando-based AV integration and production company Entertainment Arts, Inc. (EAI) deployed a new venue-wide sound reinforcement system incorporating a variety of Fulcrum Acoustic loudspeakers.
Byron Conerly, owner of EAI, spearheaded the project, stating, “In recent years, several MLB players have come out of Stetson University, so the stadium has been getting a lot of attention. It was time to put the attention on the audience.”
Conerly adds that Fulcrum Acoustic loudspeakers were chosen because of their weather-resistant product offerings and domestic availability as well as a legacy of installs at sports venues. “We wanted to offer them something where they could say we have the same system as a notable NFL practice field or MLB stadium,” he says. I showed them other sports stadium projects that Fulcrum had done and said, ‘That’s the caliber of what we bought.’”
Specifically, FH1596-WR full-range coaxial horn loudspeakers deliver field coverage while CX826-WR compact coaxial loudspeakers, mounted on smaller poles, deliver supplementary coverage and GX1226-WR coaxials handle the main press box. “The new video system has audio tied to it, the lighting system has audio, so the field system needed to kick,” Conerly explains. “With its pattern control and projection, the FH is just an amazing cabinet. They really push.”
The loudspeaker set is driven by Apex CloudPower1504 and CloudPower354 amplifiers. “It was our first-time using Apex amps. EAI also set up wireless control connectivity with the audio console so it can be controlled on the field via iPad. The system was setup with various zones, so when needed, fewer zones can be recalled to lessen the impact of stray energy. There are also custom presets for special events.
Both EAI and the customer are pled with the installation. “It sounds amazing,” says Conerly. “The Director of the City of Deland Parks and Recreation [owner of the facility] was delighted. At the first practice, the everyone was ecstatic with the install and how it’s working.”
