John O’Quinn Field at TDECU Stadium on the campus of the University of Houston, the 40,000-capacity home of the NCAA Cougars football team, recently received an audio overhaul implemented by Houston-based LD Systems that incorporates loudspeakers from L-Acoustics, including a streamlined combination of K, A, and X Series products.
“We had been helping the school nurse its existing sound system through football seasons for the past two years, but it became clear that they needed a new, more modern audio system,” explains Matt Rhodes, sales engineer at LD Systems, the university’s long-time AV partner. “We looked at a few options with them and found that L-Acoustics offered the right mix of components to create a powerful yet cost-effective system for the client.”
The stadium’s new system now comprises two hangs of 12 K2 enclosures over six Kara II per side of the scoreboard flanked by a combination of A15i Wide and A15i Focus enclosures in two hangs per side as side-fill arrays. Six coaxial X12 and X8 loudspeakers are used as lower arrays below the scoreboard, essentially creating a low-profile point-source system, a typical design for a college football venue. The system is arranged in a high-tech “necklace” around the scoreboard, collectively powered by two LA4X, three LA2Xi, and 10 LA12X amplified controllers.
Because the K2 enclosures are capable of outputting low frequencies on its own down to 35 Hz, subwoofers weren’t deemed necessary for the project. “It was important to the school that the sound system be able to pump up the teams and fans ahead of games,” says Rhodes. “They use a lot of hip-hop music for warm-ups, and they want the fans excited. Everyone was impressed by the amount of low-frequency energy that K2 is capable of.”
University of Houston senior associate athletics director TJ Meagher concludes: “LD Systems’ installation of the L-Acoustics line arrays has brought the big sound that our stadium has needed for the last few seasons. While it’s hard to appreciate how the elegant and understated speakers flanking the video board could deliver such a full audio experience, it’s the adaptability of the controls that make this next-level fan entertainment. The sound quality and volume are incredible, and the system has given us the latitude to look at our in-game entertainment with a much broader perspective.”
