STATE OF THE ART SOUND SYSTEM FOR ICONIC ROSE BOWL STADIUM

AJP was called in by Rose Bowl operations staff to evaluate and address issues with the Rose Bowl stadium’s aging sound system, and in particular, issues for events requiring public address and program audio. A complete sound system evaluation and assessment was performed to discover the performance issues, observe the City’s special noise ordinance requirements, and to figure out how to comply with the historical registration rules.

The new system was completed in August of 2024 and the results are simply amazing. The audio for speech intelligibility, program music reproduction, and especially acceptable containment of the audio in the bowl have all exceeded expectations of the Owner.

The most daunting task was to provide clear, intelligible speech at all of the bowl seating locations, support program audio in the stadium and, equally importantly, contain the audio within the bowl to the greatest extent possible out of consideration for the surrounding neighborhoods in Pasadena.

AJP discovered that the existing loudspeaker mounting locations had to be reused to meet the aforementioned regulations, so a careful selection of delivery devices was necessary. Fulcrum Acoustic was selected as the loudspeaker manufacturer based on positive experiences using their Horn-Loaded loudspeakers and Passive-Cardiod and Sub-Cardiod technologies in similar demanding applications. Specifically, the CCX, CS, and FH models were chosen for their exceptional pattern control, predictable throw distances, and overall quality of sound and build.

Scope included the new bowl loudspeaker system, new sound system for the Court of Champions (two small line arrays suspended from the supports above the Court of Champions, below the upper deck, to cover the Court of Champions space for dedicated events that will take place in this area, independent of the stadium system). A stadium audio feed is included so this area may be combined with the main stadium sound system. Design also includes sound coverage for the event area beyond Gate A for independent use during specific events (swap meets, flea markets, etc.), and a small, dedicated sound system designed for use to cover the area outside of Gate A to be used independently from the main stadium system or combined with the stadium audio feed as needed. Independent background audio coverage of the Wine Garden area was included (a small system for low-level bowl audio and audio for local video during games). AJP is also currently engaged in LED Display System / Scoreboard technology design for the Rose Bowl Stadium.

The new stadium loudspeakers are powered by Powersoft Unica series amplifiers, Q-Sys processing, and the FOH mix control is a new Yamaha DM7 series console.

Gates around the concourse were fitted with Fulcrum CX series loudspeakers, and the gathering areas at Gate A (inside and outside of the stadium), and the Wine Garden area received new dedicated audio systems using CCX Series loudspeakers with dedicated source mixing and local touchscreen control, Bluetooth, and analog audio I/O for each location. Bowl audio will feed these dedicated systems along with local inputs for other event use.

The Rose Bowl stadium was built in 1922, with its opening Rose Bowl game being played on New Year’s Day in 1923. The stadium was originally built in a horseshoe shape, but it has been added to and in 1928 became a complete “bowl.” In 1916 the tradition began of holding the annual Rose Bowl college football game after the parade—a game that has become the most famous and historic of bowl games, known as the “granddaddy of them all.” Referred to as “American’s Stadium”, the built for the Rose Bowl game, which attacted more spectators than its previous stadium could hold. Apart from the historic Rose Bowl college football games, the stadium has since 1982 been the home field of the UCLA football team. The Rose Bowl stadium has been renovated several times, the most recent being completed in 2016, and has a current seating capacity of more than 92,000 people.

The Rose Bowl stadium has hosted numerous other major sporting events, including the Super Bowls played in 1977, 1980, 1983, 1987, and 1993. It has also hosted the World Cup football (soccer) finals for men (1994) and women (1999) and the MLS Cup game in 1998. In addition, it served as the venue for track cycling during the 1932 Olympics and the gold medal football (soccer) match during the 1984 Olympics.