The Scottrade Center and its new L-Acoustics Kara audio system provide audio support for the St. Louis Blues playoff push.

Hosting a range of events in addition to NHL hockey, the Scottrade Center hosts basketball, concerts, pro wrestling, ice shows and more.

After finding that the building’s old sound system was unable to fully support the range of events taking place in the arena, building management decided that a new sound system was needed.

To meet Scottrade Center’s audio needs, Dallas-based consulting firm Idibri specified an L-Acoustics Kara system.

“Although L-Acoustics’ K2 was originally specified to provide 6dB more SPL, Kara was ultimately chosen as it was able to meet the real world SPL requirements for the arena and a tighter budget, allowing funds to cover more aspects of the overall renovation,” says Ben Cating, Senior Consultant and Project Manager, Idibri.

Kara Scottrade Center L-Acoustics Specifications

Scottrade Center’s L-Acoustics Kara system is powered by 33 AVB-equipped LA4X amplified controllers and one LA12X. The system also includes 90 Kara loudspeakers and 36 SB18i subwoofers configured in six equal rows of 15 Kara loudspeakers and six SB18i subwoofers.

To further increase system capabilities, six ARCS IIs are configured in two groups of three. ARCS II sprues are configured to sit face down for coverage at hockey games, ice shows and other special events.

The system performed well enough to eliminate the need for under-balcony speakers, which were originally part of the system design.

Chip Self, president of Logic Systems Sound and Lighting, says the Scottrade Center presented its integration team with some installation challenges, but their experience with Kara products helped the company overcome those hurdles.

“The main challenge was to place six bays in very precise places in a building with asymmetrical steel and a maze of 10-foot-diameter steel air ducts that always seem to be in exactly the wrong place,” recalls Self.

“[The Kara system] was lighter, more powerful and required much less energy than other systems. Since this project included a huge new dashboard, which weighs much more than the original, the weight savings were invaluable to the building engineers, as it did not require the addition of a new steel.

With the building undergoing other major upgrades, Logic Systems Sound and Lighting had limited time at the Scottrade Center, which meant the company’s installation of the system was on a tight schedule.

“Because the schedule was very tight, we had limited access to space,” notes Self.

“Given lead times for equipment and other elements of the construction schedule, we were unable to begin our work in earnest until there were less than 60 days left to complete the entire project. To compensate for this, we did a lot of off-site pre-configuration and pre-assembly. I believe this made a huge difference in getting the project done on time and on budget.

Feedback on the system: resolutely positive

With the construction and installation of the new electronic system complete, Alex Rodrigo, vice president and general manager of the arena, Scottrade Center Group, was pleased with the results.

“Last year’s renovations required a high level of expertise, precision and commitment, and I can’t imagine working with anyone better than Ben from Idibri, Chip from Logic Systems and the team. from L-Acoustics,” says Rodrigo.

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“This project was our ‘Mount Everest’, and the team not only made it to the top, but [they] did it in such a professional and knowledgeable way that it was a lot of fun.

“Our fans and guests are now more engaged than ever and truly blown away by the difference the new sound system has made. This project has dramatically improved the Scottrade Center sports and entertainment fan experience for years to come.