A new sound reinforcement system serving 107,000-plus capacity Michigan Stadium, a.k.a. “The Big House” and home of the University of Michigan Wolverines football team in Ann Arbor, is headed by Eastern Acoustic Works (EAW) Anya three-way ADAPTive array modules and Otto ADAPTive subwoofers in a multi-million-dollar AV upgrade project led by Paul Haley, lead audio/visual engineer at the university’s athletics department.
“The decision to integrate EAW speakers into the renovation project came after meticulous consideration and consultation with industry experts,” says Haley. “We wanted a bigger videoboard, but also needed better audio throughout the venue. We utilized a different manufacturer’s audio system for over a decade but opted to explore alternatives, including EAW, to achieve our objectives.”
Design firm WJHW (based in Dallas) collaborated university in providing guidance on suitable manufacturers and products for their applications. The team chose EAW loudspeakers based on a previous experience with the brand, having installed them a few years earlier in the school’s Yost Ice Arena.
“Michigan Stadium required a powered loudspeaker solution since there is not enough conditioned space near the north-side scoreboard for the associated equipment racks,” says Mark Graham, audio consultant, associate principal at WJHW. “EAW’s Anya met that first requirement as well as the other performance goals for the venue. EAW’s Anya and Otto are positioned right next to the video screen on the north side of the venue, as part of the enclosure, and the products’ form factors allowed the design to maximize the space usage. With ADAPTive technology, we were able to direct the sound output to the spectator seating areas while maintaining sound quality and the SPL needed in the football environment.”
The installation and tuning process was overseen by MetInteractive in collaboration with EAW. With a focus on enhancing low-frequency reinforcement, the system comprises 28 Anya cabinets per side, accompanied by 12 Otto subwoofers on each side to ensure even coverage and superior intelligibility throughout the stadium.
“The Anya speakers deliver exceptional performance and maintain clarity and consistency over considerable distances,” says Haley. “It’s over 900 feet from the speakers to the farthest seats, so it is a very long throw distance, and yet intelligibility is very good all the way across the stadium. Advanced tuning techniques, including precise start and stop coverages, were implemented to minimize audio distortion generated by building surface reflections to further enhance intelligibility for the fan experience. Since the north-side videoboard directly faces the South board, EAW set up a stringent end of coverage right at the bottom of the south scoreboard, using its Resolution software to minimize the slap back, which has been fantastic.”
In addition, several MKD loudspeakers are deployed for the Jack Roth Stadium Club, which is a premium seating area. They’re installed underneath the overhangs in the space.
“Along with performance, reliability is really key for us, and the Anya speakers deliver on both fronts,” adds Haley. “The university’s commitment to delivering unparalleled audiovisual experiences to our fans is underscored by the integration of EAW technology, marking a significant milestone in our ongoing efforts to enhance stadium infrastructure.”
