Upgrades to the CN Centre's sound system are complete, the city announced Wednesday - and the project came in under budget.
Originally approved for $950,000, the new system ended up costing $700,000 after more than 900 hours of work. The funds came from the Northern Capital and Planning Reserve Fund.
Sapphire Sound and McSquared System Design Group carried out the work in July, August and September.
The project was approved after a 2019 assessment found that the arena's 1990s-era sound system was showing signs of age, risking a system-wide failure during an entertainment or sports event. Other issues included a lack of spare parts and other concerns.
After a COVID-19 delay, the replacement got underway.
One new feature involves better accessibility. Fans in the stands using assistive listening devices can tune in to 105.1 FM to hear announcements and music more clearly.
The new system also boasts enhanced audio quality, the city states. This includes:
- New arena three-way high performance loudspeakers with a three-way crossover network;
- New low-frequency extension subwoofer speakers for a richer sound;
- New network power amplifiers with connections to full arena speakers and to four zones of audio distributed through 106 back-of-house loudspeakers.New hardware, audio equipment and materials, including network audio racks, microphones, accessories, new user interface with a digital console and tablets for use during events.
