Powersoft amps installed at Dijon sports venue

The 4,628-capacity Palais des Sports in Dijon, France has updated its sound system with an array of new audio equipment, including Powersoft Ottocanali amplifiers.

The Palais des Sports is home to the Jeanne d’Arc Dijon Bourgogne basketball team, but is also used for a wide range of other sports activities.

Châtenoy-le-Royal-based IRELEM responded successfully to the venue’s request for an audio system upgrade – prepared by Acoustique France – and began designing and specifying an efficient system in conjunction with Powersoft’s French distributor Axente, based around four of the manufacturer’s eight-channel Ottocanali amps.

With limited capacity available in the production/control room, located in the top tiers, Ottocanali 12K4 and 4K4 met the criteria for high efficiency and good suitable power-to-space ratio, and were specified for the first time in France since their launch.

With three 12K4 (for mid and low) and one 4K4 (for the highs) driving into four ohms a new EAW loudspeaker set-up (12 QX300 series), the system is fully optimised across the whole playing area, main public stands and VIP areas. As Axente’s Alain Hercman explained: “There has been a great improvement in intelligibility and a gain of 12dB in sound pressure level.”

Powersoft was chosen for its ability to make highly reliable amplifiers, and, according to Hercman, the client has already reported a significant improvement in intelligibility, despite the room’s challenging acoustics.

The PA system is fed from typical mic and line sources on match days through a Yamaha mixer and EAW processors.

The installation is part of a larger technical project designed to maintain the versatility of a venue that also hosts handball, gymnastics and a variety of other sports.

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