Fertitta Center Audio System Integration at The University of Houston

The Fertitta Center, formerly known as Hofheinz Pavilion, is a 7,100-seat multi-purpose arena located on the University of Houston campus. In addition to the long history of professional and collegiate athletics use, the arena has been used for other purposes such as graduation ceremonies and commencements. The venue has also hosted many concerts by famous performing artists. The LD Systems Integration Team was honored to be a part of a $60 million arena AV integration re-design of the facility. LD Systems completed the Fertitta Center audio system integration including the main bowl sound system and two premium area independent club sound systems. Also included was a new press room audio distribution system, and distributed audio for interior and exterior areas around the building.

Redesigning a multi-purpose AV system

The facility’s main audio system consists of (8) ElectroVoice EVH-1152D/64 2-way fully horn-loaded speaker systems for long throw coverage, (4) EVH-1152D/96 speakers for short throw coverage, and (1) EVH-1152D/99 for floor coverage. The audio system was completed with (26) JBL AC18/95 compact 2-way loudspeakers deployed as delay fill speakers and (8) EV X-Sub dual 18” subwoofers to satisfy the low-end audio spectrum requirements. The audio system is amplified and processed by a Yamaha CL1, processed by BSS London BLU-806, Blu-326, and Blu-120 processors and powered by Crown amplifiers.

In addition to the main audio system, outdoor audio is distributed near the main entrances for announcements and live radio with (16) JBL Control 67 outdoor speakers installed in planters along the entryways. Audio is distributed throughout the building via a redundant Audinate Dante network. LD Systems also integrated a new cabling infrastructure supporting full network television production, in-house television production, scoreboard video and in-house video feeds.