Since opening in June 1999, the Principality Stadium (formerly Millennium Stadium) has welcomed, on average, over 1.3 million visitors per year.
The stadium boasts the first fully-retractable roof in the UK and is a leading venue for multi-purpose, multi-faceted events – from big sporting fixtures to sell out concerts by the likes of Beyonce, Bruce Springsteen, Ed Sheeran, Taylor Swift, and more.
Vaughan Sound has worked with the Principality Stadium historically on a number of installation projects.
From teaming up with Security Centres to install a new fire telephone system, to operating in conjunction with CUK Audio and Baldwin Boxall to complete a major refurbishment of the stadium’s audio system.
With an ever expanding events calendar and continuous investment to enhance the visitor experience, the Principality Stadium and Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) required a new, state-of-the-art, modern PAVA system to significantly improve sound coverage and intelligibility throughout while meeting demanding stadia standards.
Following a period of intensive acoustic testing, simulation, EASE modelling and review of potential solutions, the design was progressed and the contract for the supply of the loudspeakers was awarded to NEXO.
The project to upgrade the Principality Stadium’s sound system is the coming together of various technical disciplines and testament to the strength of our collaboration with the leading manufacturer.
The main challenge was upgrading the system with as little modification to the existing cabling infrastructure as possible.
Thanks to NEXO’s design team, they had a solution in the form of their GEOS1230 line array and point source technology powered by NXAMPs, which meant no cabling modifications were required for the 18 main arrays.
With just minor adjustments, we were able to incorporate ten sub arrays – each comprising three L18s – with a delay line of 32 P12 and 12 P10 speakers.
Vaughan Sound manufactured a prototype for the main frame array at our headquarters and invited the WRU to see the system in operation prior to install.
On site, a custom manufactured dolly was utilised to pre-assemble the arrays and connect these to the bus bays, before these were forklifted into the stadium bowl and hoisted into position.
Pitch coverage is provided by four further clusters, while 44 NEXO P8s are installed underneath the balconies on Level 3 and 75 ID24s cover the hospitality boxes.
Six amplifier racks are located around the stadium with a fibre ring connecting Dante and Q-LAN distribution networks.
System control and matrix routing is delivered by QSC’s Q-SYS Core 610 processors, while remote control and monitoring is managed through NEXO’s NeMo system management software.
This app is available on tablet, smartphone or desktop computer and allows all networked NEXO devices to be controlled via its intuitive interface.
Emergency voice evacuation facilities are delivered via the integrated Baldwin Boxall VIGIL3 system, with custom recorded PAVA announcements (in English and Welsh) and external sources bridged into the sound system at key positions including pitch side, the video production suite, plus the Dragon’s Mouth access area.
Vaughan Sound has successfully delivered an award-winning audio solution that not only greatly improves the quality of sound and enhances safety for spectators, but also complements the stadium’s existing communications systems.
The NEXO sound system delivers exceptional clarity and coverage alongside power and performance, befitting a world-class, 74,500-seat venue that regularly hosts largescale events.
“We’ve worked with Vaughan Sound many times over the years – we know the quality of work they produce is exceptional.
“The value the system brings to the Prinicipality Stadium now is matching, meeting, and probably exceeding customer expectation and promoter expectation about the spectator experience that fans will have when they come here.
“We know that the system provides top quality sound to meet the standards of both concerts and the incredible atmosphere at rugby matches.”
– Mark Williams, Principality Stadium Manager
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Have a stadia or sports venue project in mind?
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