Massachusetts, US-based Eastern Acoustic Works (EAW) has supplied the PA system for Galatasaray SK's new 52,650-capacity multi-purpose Turk Telekom Arena.

Audio designer Asimetrik turned to an EAW solution in designing the system, combining 46 weather-protected MK series enclosures to provide the venue's sonic presence.

The original plan - to take the sound system from the old arena and re-install it at Türk Telekom Arena - was quickly abandoned. Asimetrik reasoned that the old stadium was only half the size of Galatasaray’s new home, and that in addition to a more muscular PA system they would require a broadcast-standard infrastructure suitable for the world’s media, and an evacuation system that would also meet international standards.

To achieve the required impact, Asimetrik specified the weather-protected EAW MK series for the stadium PA, with MK 5366WP (60° x 60°), MK 5364WP (60° x 45°), and MK 5396WP (90° x 60°)° dispersion patterns.

The 46 EAW speakers are arranged in pairs around the perimeter of the stands — and since the arena has been designed with two tiers of seating, and a layer of VIP boxes sandwiched between them, one of each pair fires up into the top tier while the other points down into the lower tier. Speakers positioned in the areas behind the goal helped even out the sound pressures.

Helping to optimise the sound are presets stored for full- and half-capacity houses to help mitigate reflections — the presets are simply recalled depending on the size of the crowd, aided by an automatic sensing structure.

Elsewhere, the broadcast/camera infrastructure design supports HD format. There are extensive press and media centre facilities, and also two connection points for OB vans.

All safety, security, evacuation and fire regulation standards have been met and there is the possibility to control the whole structure's lighting automation from a single PC.

Galatasaray adds to the growing list of worldwide stadia recently fitted with EAW systems, including Wembley and Twickenham (London), San Siro (Milan), Estádio da Luz (Lisbon), Grasshoppers (Zürich) and Nou Camp (Barcelona).