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Top Factors to Consider When Choosing The Right Sound System
Insights from BOSCA Sponsor Nevco
The rush and wave of excitement that overcomes spectators at an event with top quality sound can make the experience unforgettable.
When a fan in the stands feels like they are part of the action- from the rumbling and shaking of bleachers to the pumping up of the crowd, starting line-ups and more, sound directly contributes to the enjoyment these experiences provide. Delivering a game-day atmosphere with impeccable sound elevates crowd involvement and can set your facility apart from the rest.
When it comes to choosing a sound system, there are a couple of factors to consider that can help inform and provide confidence that the decision you make is the best one for your facilities.
VENUE SIZE
Venues come in all shapes and sizes and the audible needs of a large stadium are going to be very different from a small gym or auditorium. Therefore, any sound system you choose should be designed to cater to the specific needs of each facility it serves.
The number of seats your facility houses, where they are located, and the size of your facility should all be considered because it is imperative that the audio system of choice has the capability to guarantee complete coverage with quality sound reaching each person. The provider you choose should also be willing to listen and work with you on your overall game-day production, assessing your facilities and production set-up to have a better understanding of your needs for game-day. Those details will help you find the right fit, preventing the audio levels of a stadium with thousands of seats from being too quiet or the audio in a small venue from damaging ear drums. No facility, no matter its size or design, should be left behind in delivering a top quality experience.
VENUE TYPE
An important question you must ask when choosing your audio systems is: What is my venue used for? Is it primarily reserved for athletics, or is it the site of graduations and other university events as well? Defining what your venue is capable of, or what you want it to specifically be designed for, will help you make the right choice to deliver an unparalleled experience for your student-athletes, coaches and patrons.
An unparalleled experience cannot happen without also considering the acoustics of your venue to ensure the sound being produced is reaching your audience in the most optimal way. Each facility is different and should not be met with a “one size fits all” approach. When meeting with a sound engineer, be sure to take note of the options being presented to you.
· Do their sound solutions feature multiple options such as number of speakers, or a wall-mount versus a center-hung cluster?
· The direction the speakers are facing and if they have the capability to reach every person
· Are they taking the time to explain the reasoning behind their recommendations for your facility?
Questions like these and the answers behind them will help you gain insight into the experience of your audio provider and their actual ability to meet your needs.
QUALITY BEHIND THE PRODUCTS
There may be plenty of options to choose from when it comes to selecting a sound system and it may be enticing to choose the cheapest one. However, the cheapest option may also come with its own price if it means sacrificing the quality of your audio. Finding out if the products are not just reliable and long-lasting, but convenient and simple to utilize should factor into your decision-making process. Consider the following:
· Research the manufacturers and their market reputation
· Consult with fellow administrators at other colleges and universities who use those vendors
· Evaluate their ease of use and integration with your other scoring equipment
WARRANTY AND CUSTOMER SERVICE
The selection process of a sound system is a decision that should not be taken lightly, but also be backed up by a quality warranty that eliminates as much risk or doubt as possible. If an audio solution provider is confident in the reliability of their products, they should be able to offer the best warranties in the industry and value the idea of becoming your trusted partner. And should any issues arise, they should also be able to provide quick and responsive customer service to quickly get your facilities back up and running.
AUDIO SYSTEMS FROM NEVCO
Nevco partners with the industry-leading sound manufacturers to design the best-in-class solutions with a turnkey approach. All components are integrated and optimized by Nevco for complete compatibility with video and control room solutions with minimal power requirements, resulting in faster installation and lower installation costs. Because of the confidence Nevco has in the reliability of its sound systems, they come with the best warranties in the industry.
Nevco’s Stadium Pro 1000 and 2000 outdoor sound systems provide two options dependent on the size of your facility. Both systems are discreetly located at the scoreboard with a custom design front mesh face scrim. The Stadium Pro 1000, which comes with two speakers and a subwoofer, is ideal for smaller venues up to 5,000 seats. The Stadium Pro 2000 is designed for facilities with more than 100 linear yards of stands or more than 5,000 seats and comes with four speakers and a pair of subwoofers.
Nevco’s indoor sound solutions are the Arena Pro 1000 and 2000. The Arena Pro 1000 is a wall-mounted system with two speakers and subwoofers in custom-designed speaker cabinets with printable front mesh scrim, ideal for a space no larger than 130 x 120. The Arena Pro 2000 is a center-hung cluster with four speakers and two subwoofers, ideal for spaces up to 160 x 120.
Nevco’s audio systems are designed to meet the specific needs of facilities based on their size. If your venue needs exceed what the standard systems provide, we will work with you to engineer a custom sound solution for your facility.
For more information about Nevco sound systems, scoreboards, or video products visit www.nevco.com