Electronic Design Company Puts JBL VLA Line Arrays In The Starting Lineup At TCF Bank Stadium

In a project delivering high-impact sound to fans of the “U,” Electronic Design Company (EDC) installed the audio system at the new TCF Bank Stadium, home to the University of Minnesota’s Golden Gophers NCAA football team. Designed by WJHW, the system features JBL VLA line array loudspeakers as part of the main PA system in the west end zone of the stadium.

The opening of TCF Bank Stadium was part of an expansion to the University of Minnesota’s main campus, which is expected to include an additional 10 new academic buildings by 2015. As a member of the Big 10, one of college football’s most competitive conferences, TCF Bank Stadium was designed to provide fans with an experience on par with some of the country’s largest football stadiums. At the same time, TCF Bank Stadium is designed for purposes beyond football, and while it currently features a capacity of 50,805, it can support future expansion to up to 80,000 people.

To withstand the harsh climate of Minneapolis, EDC (which also installed the SMATV and permanent broadcast system), implemented the main PA system featuring JBL VLA weatherized line arrays, powered by Crown Macro-Tech-I amplifiers. Located in the west end zone of the stadium, the main PA system features a center array of seven VLA301 loudspeakers, flanked by left/right arrays of seven VLA601 loudspeakers each.  For additional fill on the south side, the system also features three VLA901 loudspeakers. The system is built into the end zone video board, providing additional protection from the elements while also preserving a discreet appearance.

“We pre-assembled the speaker system on the ground, picked up each cluster as a single assembly and dropped them right in,” said Rustin Bullert of EDC.  “The VLA loudspeakers provide remarkable output given their compact size and they have definitely met our expectations.”

JBL PD Series loudspeakers provide reinforcement on the north side of the stadium, and areas just below the scoreboard. The system is managed via Harman’s HiQnet™ System Architect™ platform. “The London software gave us capabilities that make game days easy to operate,” Bullert added.

Since the installation, the system has performed to expectations. “It’s been running great, everybody loves it,” Bullert said. “The sound is very even around the seating area.”

For more information on EDC, please visit www.edcsolutions.com

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