Himmelstalundshallen Is Largest Arena In Sweden to Install HARMAN’s Crown DRIVECORE™ Install (DCi) Series Network Amplifiers

NORRKÖPING, Sweden — Himmelstalundshallen is an indoor arena in Norrköping, Sweden that is home to the HC Vita Hasten ice hockey team. The 4,480-seat facility also hosts concerts and other sporting events. The oval-shaped arena opened in 1977 and even then its audio system would hardly be mistaken for state of the art—making it overdue for an upgrade by Sound contractor Micab (www.micab.se) under the direction of installation specialist Mikael Bergvall. The arena is the largest in Sweden to install HARMAN’s Crown DCi Series Network amplifiers.

“In addition to providing clear, intelligible audio we needed to achieve a system that provided equal coverage at every seating area,” said Bergvall. Working with Christer Lidberg and Jan Hedlund at Swedish HARMAN distributor Septon Electronics (www.septon.se), a system was designed based around eight Crown DCi 4|600N and eight DCi 4|300N networkable power amplifiers. The amplifiers are linked together using BSS Audio Soundweb London BLU-101 and BLU-160 devices with BLU-Link. Twenty JBL AM5215 loudspeakers complete the installation.

Bergvall pointed out that the Crown DCi Network amplifiers offer a number of advantages not available from conventional amps. Having both Ethernet and BLU link connectivity enables them to be easily networked over long distances and “using BLU-link to network the audio system is extremely cost effective.” Thanks to their use of energy-efficient DriveCore™ Technology, the Crown DCi Network amplifiers also use less power and take up less space. “All of these factors are major assets in performance, ease of installation and savings on long-term operating cost.”

The DCi Network amplifiers offer networked monitoring and control via HARMAN HiQnet™ Audio Architect system software, and digital audio connectivity using the HARMAN’s proprietary BLU link as well as analog inputs. In addition to the main system, a Crown ComTech DriveCore CT8150 amplifier is used to power the speakers in the spectator’s entrance.

The JBL AM5215 loudspeakers are hung equally spaced around the perimeter of the arena and aimed into the seats, a configuration that directs the output of the loudspeakers to the seating areas while minimizing reflected sound from the walls and ceiling along with any gaps or overlaps in coverage. The 2-way AM5215 employs a 15-inch woofer and a waveguide that can be rotated horizontally or vertically to facilitate installation in a wider variety of applications.

“The system really came together well and more than met the arena manager’s expectations,” said Bergvall. He noted that the support from HARMAN and Septon was “critical” in ensuring that the system’s components all worked together seamlessly and delivered optimum performance. “The quality of the sound in the Himmelstadlundshallen has been completely transformed. Everyone in every seat now enjoys clear, full range reproduction for game announcements, music and audio.” The memory of the previous sound system is now just a fading echo.

HARMAN designs, manufactures, and markets a wide range of infotainment and audio solutions for the automotive, consumer, and professional markets. It is a recognized world leader across its customer segments with premium brands including AKG®, Harman Kardon®, Infinity®, JBL®, Lexicon®, and Mark Levinson® and leading-edge connectivity, safety and audio technologies. The Company is admired by audiophiles across multiple generations and supports leading professional entertainers and the venues where they perform. More than 25 million automobiles on the road today are equipped with HARMAN audio and infotainment systems. HARMAN has a workforce of 14,800 people across the Americas, Europe, and Asia and reported sales of $4.7 billion for the last twelve months ended December 31, 2013.