A programme of modernisation at the Oxford Ice Rink, UK – home to the city’s ice hockey team – last year saw installation of a new sound system centred on an Electro-Voice loudspeaker solution.
New management took over Oxford City Star’s 700-seat stadium in 2009 paving the way for upgrades to the arena.
The task of designing and installing the new sound system was entrusted to Oxford-based specialists Lancelyn Theatre Supplies. The team replaced the previous sound reinforcement system with a new one from Electro-Voice over the course of three weeks.
“We knew already from countless similar installations that the acoustic characteristics of the Electro-Voice loudspeakers were exactly what was needed here,” explained Tim Sachno, Lancelyn’s Projects Manager, “so they were automatically our first choice.”
The Lancelyn team opted to fly the loudspeakers in a central cluster directly above the ice since the arena, like most ice skating venues, has an extremely long reverberation time. This comprises six Electro-Voice ZX5-60 and four Electro-Voice Sx300PI loudspeakers that distribute the sound evenly over the 1,500sqm rink and the seating area beyond. These full-range models are complemented by four Electro-Voice EVF-1181S subwoofers to reinforce the low frequency range.
“We hesitated right to the end before installing the four subs,” recalled Sachno, “because the ZX5 15in two-way full-range loudspeakers sounded so good on their own we were tempted to dispense with subwoofers altogether.” In the end though, to be sure of having sufficient headroom in the bass, Lancelyn reinstated the four EVF-1181S subs and Sachno describes sound of the integrated system now as “simply overwhelming”.
The power comes from an Electro-Voice CPS 8.5 and a CPS 2.12 amplifier, while the control and supervision of the system are provided by a DC-One digital sound system processor, also from Electro-Voice. “For a relatively small outlay, the operators have acquired an outstanding audio system that represents a sound investment for the future,” concluded Sachno. “Compared with its predecessor, the system represents a quantum leap in terms of audio quality – a view shared by the rink’s operators, who have expressed themselves ‘more than satisfied’ with the results.”
