A new L-Acoustics sound system, designed to improve speech intelligibility and meet BS 7827 standards for emergency sound systems, has been installed at the world-famous Cheltenham Racecourse, in Gloucestershire, UK. The installation, delivered by Audiotek in collaboration with RaceTech, replaces ageing PA components and is designed to provide precise coverage and reliable performance for commentary, music, and safety messaging across the 75,000-capacity venue.
The project was part of a wider modernisation programme by the Jockey Club, which owns and operates 15 UK racecourses. Audio consultant Stuart Strachan of RaceTech specified the performance criteria, with a focus on maintaining clarity and compliance within the acoustically complex grandstand. The new installation made its debut during Cheltenham’s October race meeting, The Showcase, where it delivered noticeably improved commentary clarity and coverage.
The system design features L-Acoustics A15i arrays providing long-throw coverage from the grandstand to the running rail, supported by X8i loudspeakers for tiered seating and front-fill. Power and monitoring are handled by LA7.16i amplified controllers, which the company says offer the necessary redundancy, networked control, and speaker line supervision required for life-safety applications.
Meeting BS 7827 requirements was central to the brief. The British Standard outlines performance benchmarks for intelligibility and sound pressure levels in sports and entertainment venues, ensuring that public address and emergency messages remain clear throughout a site. Cheltenham’s 1970s-era grandstand posed particular challenges, with exposed façades, open terraces, and shifting crowd densities requiring accurate control of coverage and SPL uniformity.
To address these demands, Audiotek employed L-Acoustics Soundvision and EASE modelling tools to simulate acoustic performance across the venue. Predictive design allowed the team to refine loudspeaker placement, test multiple coverage scenarios, and ensure the system met both intelligibility and mechanical integration goals.
Chris Kmiec, project manager at Audiotek, said: “The brief was all about clarity – ensuring every word of the live commentary is heard precisely. The goal was not just to meet compliance but to enhance the spectator experience. Horse racing commentary is continuous and dynamic; every word has to cut through the crowd without sounding harsh or fatiguing.”
Kmiec added: “Designing to BS 7827 added complexity, but it played to the strengths of the L-Acoustics ecosystem. With Soundvision and LA Network Manager, we could design, deploy, and monitor with total precision. The end result is discreet, powerful, and completely fit for purpose.”
Stuart Strachan, audio consultant at RaceTech, said: “The LA7.16i has all the necessary features for a life safety system – dual network audio and control, analogue backup, speaker line monitoring, fault reporting, and seamless integration with the Q-SYS DSP. It’s clear that the team at L-Acoustics has put real thought into the sports ground use case.”
According to Gemma Steve, regional head of operations at Cheltenham Racecourse, the installation supports not only racing but also wider hospitality and event use. She said: “Cheltenham now benefits from a future-proof sound system that enhances both functionality and guest experience.”
