2014, Funktion-One has been in a period of innovation
and product development. New technological
discoveries have led to Vero – the company’s large
format vertically arrayable system – and the Evo Series.
While Evo systems have been specified for a wide range
of applications, Krasnodar was the first stadium
installation in 2017.
Audio guide
Edelweiss Audio’s Andrei Kremenchugskiy worked
closely with Newsham and others at Funktion-One in
the UK to come up with a solution for Krasnodar,
resulting in the development of a new customized
AUDIO
FUNKTION-ONE
(Above) Krasnodar Stadium
was the first stadium to install
Funktion-One’s Evo Series
SOUND SIMULATION
Funktion-One’s latest stadium project was completed by Belgian
distributor Soundsystem at Belgian soccer side Club Brugge’s Jan
Breydel Stadium. The company was tasked with improving the
experience for the 29,000 fans. Tia Broodcoorens, general
manager at Soundsystem explains: “We were certain we could
make a difference. A few years ago, we installed a sound system
in one of the stands of KV Kortrijk’s stadium, plus Funktion-One
has gained lots of experience in this area, so we knew we could
do something special.”
Soundsystem started by investigating the specific demands of
the stadium. Armed with a decibel meter, the team sat among
fans and visited the four stands during a game, soon realizing
that every part of the stadium needed a different approach. For
example, the north side of the stands, where the loudest fans are
seated, requires higher SPL than any other area. During goal
celebrations, the sound level was measured at 112dB, which
equates to that of a low flying aircraft. Regardless of a fan’s
position in the stadium, they had to be able to clearly hear music,
announcements and emergency signals.
In collaboration with Funktion-One founder John Newsham,
Soundsystem drew a 3D visualization of the whole stadium and
applied a sound simulation, which was approved by Club
Brugge. Over 30km (18.6 miles) of cabling was required to
connect a total of 146 speakers with five amplifier rooms.
Custom-made stainless-steel frames support 96 horn-loaded
mid-high speakers, which include 24 Funktion-One Evo 6 and 72
Res 2SH, as well as 22 F55 speakers and 28 F218 Mk2 subs.
product – the Evo 6EHQ. These specially designed
enclosures house four Evo 6 waveguides arrayed two
wide and two deep.
A total of 18 Evo 6EHQ enclosures were deployed
around the stadium, approximately 65ft (20m) apart.
Funktion-One F215 Mk2 bass enclosures were paired
with the new F124 24in bass enclosures and installed
between the Evo 6EHQs. Six standard Evo 6EH
loudspeakers were supplied for pitch coverage.
“Funktion-One’s Evolution Series has a very high
sound-to-weight ratio, which means they can be
deployed in places where more conventional
loudspeakers wouldn’t be able to be suspended,” says
David Bruml, Funktion-One technical sales director.
“The loudspeakers are very efficient, which leads
to naturally high and responsive output levels that are
able to meet FIFA stipulations for performance level
and exceed intelligibility requirements. The
loudspeakers are also highly accurate in the time
domain and inherently linear in phase and frequency
response without requiring corrective equalization.”
John Newsham also explains that “by focusing the
power closely on the audience areas, avoiding
overlapping coverage patterns and avoiding spill over a
broad frequency band we can reduce or eliminate
secondary reflections, which corrupt the sound image
and reduce STI. Sound is directly linked to people’s
emotional responses and with Funktion-One
technology properly deployed, messages are clearer
and music is more involving.”
Soon after Krasnodar, work began on Volgograd
Arena in Russia. The solution there was again based
on the Evo Series. The loudspeakers are accurately
arrayed and aimed using bespoke metalwork with 24
c-shape clusters along the sides and 12 y-shape clusters
for the corners. Each array features Evo 6SH
loudspeakers with 50o horizontal dispersion for the
closer seats and Evo 7SH loudspeakers with narrower
dispersion and resulting higher intensity for the
further seats. To help spread the load on the suspended
roof, alternate clusters are supplemented with either
two F215 Mk2 mid-bass or a single F221 bass
enclosure. Under-balcony coverage is provided by
Funktion-One’s highly intelligible and compact F81
and F101 loudspeakers.
“Funktion-One’s advanced sound system
technology offers a pathway to a new era of sound
clarity, both for announcements and musical
experiences,” adds Bruml. n
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