A range of major league (MLB) and minor league (MiLB) baseball stadiums across the U.S. have turned to Eastern Acoustic Works (EAW) for their growing audio needs. In the MLB, Busch Stadium, home of the St. Louis Cardinals, and Nationals Park, home of the Washington Nationals, both recently acquired the brand’s MK Series, MKD Series and QX Series to elevate their game day audio experiences for fans. St. Louis, MO-based integrator ArchKey Solutions facilitated the EAW upgrades for both MLB stadiums.
A repeat EAW customer, the St. Louis Cardinals stadium utilises a distributed audio system. The stadium needed to update its ageing EAW system and add coverage in additional areas. The MK Series was chosen as a distributed/fill system and the QX Series because it is designed for medium-to-large-sized spaces. EAW says the series is also adapted to venues that require high power and consistent coverage in compact housing.
Meanwhile, the Washington Nationals stadium was similar to the Busch Stadium in that it also had an ageing EAW system and needed an upgrade. In addition to MK, MKD and QX Series, the space also integrated EAW’s MKC Series for the food and beverage portion of the stadium. These coaxial point source loudspeakers are designed for small- and medium-sized spaces.
EAW’s line of products scales from small to large applications. The brand is also used for smaller scale minor league stadiums, such as Day Air Ballpark, home field for the Dayton Dragons. Handled by integrator New Era Technology, EAW’s full-range MKD Series loudspeakers was installed in the stadium.
T.J. Smith, president of Eastern Acoustic Works, said: “EAW’s product line is unique in that we cover the entire span from short to long throw loudspeakers with multiple horn patterns and weather-protected finishes. When you choose EAW, you are getting a complete stadium audio solution with various models and options, all of which is voiced to sound the same, from one supplier.”
Most stadiums have distributed systems, where the speakers are placed around the stadium, closer to the fans, and others prefer a scoreboard system, where all the speakers are located by the scoreboard, serving as a single source for all the sound.
Smith concluded: “Both PA designs are effective and really depend on the sizes, needs and budget of the venue itself. We are agnostic in the design, so whichever type of system is specified, EAW has a catalog that can service the design approach. We support our clients in providing premium audio, clarity and coverage, from one supplier, using one software and with consistent voicing.”
