This year’s Royal Ascot was held at Ascot Racecourse in Berkshire, the UK, in June. It was supported by a bespoke audio solution from Bose Professional, the racecourse’s official technology supplier for sound.
The audio solution consists of almost 1,000 surface-mount and in-ceiling loudspeakers placed throughout the racecourse, promenade and other public areas, including 250 private boxes.
Ascot Racecourse welcomes more than 600,000 visitors each year during the usual 26 days of racing. Racing first took place in 1711 at the behest of Queen Anne in the Berkshire countryside approximately six miles from Windsor Castle.
“Bose innovation has allowed us to take people on a journey,” said Craig Staddon, head of sales at Ascot. “Since we began working with Bose, our guests repeatedly tell us the audio has added another dimension to the races – it simply brings the racing experience alive more.”
ArenaMatch AM10, AM20 and AM40 loudspeakers are the basis for the system. It also integrates Panaray MA12EX modular columnar array loudspeakers, ArenaMatch Utility AMU108 and AMU208, and a variety of FreeSpace loudspeakers. The solution is powered by a network of PowerMatch PM8500N power amplifiers containing specific Dante cards.
“Ascot has very specific needs,” said George Vaughan, head of technology at Ascot. “The core of the Ascot experience culminates in 11-12 minutes, yet guests are here for upwards of six hours or more. For us, audio is a key element that goes beyond simple commentary needs. It’s about everything from announcing race details, upcoming event information and the distribution of music that keeps our guests entertained throughout the entire experience. And with Bose, their experience is ideal.”
