Modern L-Acoustics Sound System Enhances Kay Yeager Coliseum for Sporting Events and Musical Performances
The Kay Yeager Coliseum, a versatile venue in Wichita Falls, Texas, recently underwent a significant upgrade to its sound system. In February 2023, Houston-based LD Systems installed the L-Acoustics A Series, addressing long-standing issues with the previous system's clarity, particularly during events like graduations.
The new system, supplemented by a combination of ten LA4X and two LA12X amplified controllers, features the lightweight and compact A15i speakers. According to Anthony DiDonato, the engineering manager at LD Systems, the A15i speakers improved the sound quality at the coliseum by providing coverage for every seat, regardless of seating configuration.
The system design includes four-enclosure arrays of A15i, two-enclosure hangs in the end zones, a dozen KS21i subs, six coaxial X8, and two X12. This setup ensures a balanced and impactful sound experience for the coliseum's 10,000-seat capacity.
The integration of a QSC Q-SYS control system allows the venue to turn speaker clusters on and off as needed, avoiding undesired reflections and reverberation. The QSC system can also drive an auto-mixer when the Allen & Heath SQ-5 front-of-house console isn't necessary.
The improvement in sound quality was swiftly noted by every attendee of events since the new system was installed, including the Harlem Globetrotters, high school basketball games, and a Christian-music concert. The A15i system offers impactful sound with great low-frequency reproduction for music and excellent clarity for speech, making it a flexible and affordable solution for the coliseum.
Municipal venues, including the city-owned MPEC, are seeking high-impact and crisp speech intelligibility from their sound systems, as noted by Anthony DiDonato. The L-Acoustics A Series installation at the Kay Yeager Coliseum is another win for the venue, as it addresses the previous sound system's shortcomings and sets a new standard for sound quality in Wichita Falls.
The Kay Yeager Coliseum, first opened in 2003, hosts a variety of events, including local sports games, concerts, trade shows, conventions, hockey, basketball, arena football, Professional Bull Riding, tractor pulls, and more. This versatile venue now boasts a sound system that matches its diversity, ensuring an excellent audio experience for all attendees.
