Electro-Voice Sx600 loudspeakers have earned a solid reputation as a sound solution for stadium applications, as demonstrated by two new high school installations by systems integration specialists Thompson Engineering (Riverside, CA).

Designed for indoor/outdoor stadium-type venues of all sizes, the Sx600 is a high output, dual-element vertical line array loudspeaker that comes in a single, weatherproof, easy-mounting package, minimizing hardware while maximizing sonic performance, offering long throw while keeping coverage focused.

Jeff Tappenden of Thompson Engineering described how the Sx600 is raising the bar for football field sound quality at Tahquitz HS and Murrieta Valley HS, both in Southern California.

“The Sx600 is ideal for these applications across every detail, from the easy to use rigging hardware to the excellent audio—they provide a perfect balance of rugged build and highly intelligible sound for outdoor applications like these. Plus their price to quality ratio is phenomenal—and we’ve looked at all the options.

“At Murrieta Valley we mounted one Sx600 on each of the existing corner light poles, and mounted two on a center pole to cover the field. The results from just these six boxes are very impressive. We also lowered the weight bearing on each pole by about 100 lbs because the Sx600 is so light—the old systems were far heavier, especially in terms of rigging hardware. The hardware is extremely simple and extremely safe—the support bands are rated for 300 lbs each, and we use four per speaker! You can’t beat that for safety, and we also put a safety cable on in addition to that. I also like the fact the box is center-loaded on the pole; it’s not like a sail mounted off to the side, with the horn catching all the wind.

“Tahquitz stadium is brand new,� Tappenden continues, “and we were able to install eight Sx600s wherever we wanted. We aligned them so we had two on every pole—four to feed the field and two for each of the bleachers. This stadium is in a natural amphitheater, with hills right behind the main bleachers, so echo is an issue here. What I love about the Sx600 is that they’re like laser beams—whatever it says they’re going to do in EASE (venue modeling software) is exactly what it does. When all the speakers are on, there is literally no echo in the stadium at all. Another remarkable thing about this install is that it can be run in a stereo mix and delivers full left/right separation—it sounds amazing.

“We’ve used the Sx600 for many successful installations. They work because they are designed to do a specific job—provide plenty of throw with tight pattern control, providing an ideal balance of intelligibility and coverage. Each one of our clients with an Sx600 system is exceptionally happy with the results.�

Thompson Engineering worked with Electro-Voice Representatives Quantum Sales & Technology on these projects.

Photo, L-R: Joe Lira (VP Operations, Thompson Engineering) and Jeff Tappenden

www.thompsone.com
www.electrovoice.com

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