Dalian, China | December, 2013 - Situated just 10 km from downtown, the Dalian Arena is one of ten venues comprising the city's new Sports Center, which will cover more than 200 acres when completed. The 18,000-seat NBA regulation venue boasts the largest suspended dome roof in China, and was completed in time to host an array of events during China's 2013 National Games.

Like most large, enclosed arenas, the Dalian is a challenging acoustical environment. The massive dome's reflections are exacerbated by the stadium's plentiful open passageways and hard playing surface, making intelligibility close to non-existent. Designing an audio system for the arena would also have to consider its requirements for hosting theatrical performances, conferences, and other large-scale events.

The arena's sound system was integrated by Dalian HuaChang Electronics Engineering Co., Ltd., and comprises four sets of Renkus-Heinz PN102LA line array systems facing north, south, east, and west. Each array consists of twelve PN102LAR cabinets, augmented by six DR18-2R 18-inch subwoofers.

Downfill for the court is provided by a pair of ST7/94 loudspeakers on east and west arrays, while a pair of ST5M-2/42 boxes provide downfill for the court-side seating areas. A delay ring of 18 ST7/94 cabinets covers the uppermost tiers of seating. The entire system is interconnected via RHAON for system delays and processing.

"We evaluated many well-known brands of loudspeakers in great detail, and the Renkus-Heinz PN Series line arrays were truly the best choice for the Dalian Arena," said a spokesperson from Dalian HuaChang Electronics Engineering Co., Ltd. "In a very large and reverberant space like this, speech intelligibility is always a challenge. But the PN series line arrays deliver a high degree of intelligibility, as well as excellent full range musical performance. Coverage is consistent to every seat in the house."