More than 50 Powersoft amplifiers are powering the sound systems at Q2 Stadium in Austin, TX, the new 20,500-seat open-air home stadium of the Austin SC team competing in the Major League Soccer (MLS) league.
Dallas-based Idibri designed the stadium’s audio, acoustics, video and data/IT, with installation by Clair Global. Architectural firm Gensler, which also factored in additional uses for the venue, designed an acoustically resonant roof canopy to protect audiences from the elements while also helping to amplify crowd noise.
Idibri’s Ben Boeshans, CTS-D, led the sound system design that includes main bowl coverage as well as distributed coverage to a range of spaces. Thirteen Ottocanali 12K4 DSP+D and six Ottocanali 4K4 DSP+D amplifiers drive the main system’s Fulcrum Acoustic loudspeakers, which are flown from the main roof structure, with leftover channels feeding audio in the concourse areas.
“The Ottocanali platforms delivered the right amount of power for the speakers, and the eight-channel/two- RU density with Dante and built-in support for speaker voicings made them the right fit,” Boeshans states.
Meanwhile, four X8 and two X4 amplifiers power subwoofers, while distributed loudspeakers around the venue are fed by compact Mezzo AD amplifiers that are distributed and strategically hidden throughout the facility to power the premium spaces. “The Mezzo AD amplifiers matrixed facility-wide Dante sources and local analog inputs so users could select their preferred audio source in each space,” explains Idibri’s Luke Krogness, CTS-D, who directed this portion of the project.
The Ottocanali amplifiers are also integrated into the stadium’s public address/voice alarm (PA/VA) system. In addition, the Idibri team also made use of Powersoft’s ArmoníaPlus system design software, with company’s head of application engineering in North America, Rick Woida, on hand to provide support.
“Q2 Stadium is a celebration of soccer, food, drink and connecting with friends,” concludes Boeshans. “With our design for Q2 Stadium, we wanted to ensure that when it comes to audio, everyone, whether they’re attending a game or a live show, has the best seat in the house.”
