ProAudio Ltd recently completed the design and installation of audio systems at the prestigious new Bulgarian national sports arena in Sofia.
As well as providing a facility for top-flight sports action, the 12,000+ capacity arena can also host music concerts. In addition to the main sports hall, the venue incorporates dressing rooms, training space, a fitness centre, a spa, a restaurant, a press hall and underground parking.
The first sports event – a volleyball tournament – takes place at the end of this month, with French synth pioneer Jean Michel Jarre due to play the first concert in October.
ProAudio Ltd designed the system for the main hall of Arena Sofia based on Community R2, 12-inch, three-way full-range loudspeakers. A total of 24 R2-694Z, 12 R2-474Z and four R2-77Z loudspeakers provide complete and consistent coverage for the audience and participant areas. These are supplemented by 12 twin 15-inch, 3,000W Community i215LVS subs.
The Community loudspeakers are driven by Powersoft M50Q amplifiers, while mixing and DSP are handled by a TOA D-2000. The system also incorporates a D-2012C remote console and two D-2008SP digital mixing processor units with 32-in and 32-out configuration. CobraNet interface modules are also used, while TOA wireless and Audio-Technica PRO 45 microphones are also part of the core specification.
“We have used Community R-Series on many large projects in the past and knew they would be ideal for Arena Sofia,” said Stanislav Petrov, MD of ProAudio Ltd. “With excellent high intelligibility sound quality, accurate coverage patterns, high SPL capability and proven reliability they have given us exactly the results we expected. We also get outstanding technical support from Community’s TAG (Technical Audio Group) team, which gives an added level of assurance to our design.”
ProAudio Ltd also designed and installed the public address systems throughout the venue, including a separate VA system based on the TOA VM-3000. Other notable aspects of the project included the provision of two Griven Sky Rose HMI 2500 MkII DMX wide angle multi-beam sky projectors, which are mounted on top of the building and are visible from up to 10km.
Reflecting on the project, Petrov described it as a “very important and prestigious” one for ProAudio Ltd. “I am pleased to say that we and the client are both impressed and very satisfied with the results,” he concluded.
