CP Sound has completed a major sound design and JBL installation at the newly-built Abingdon Leisure Centre complex in Oxfordshire.

The streamlined, modern Centre, designed by architects CBG Consultants is an impressive, stylish development offering 6 tennis courts, 2 squash courts, 2 pools, a fitness suite, dance studio, large sports hall, crèche and a café bar.

CP Sound's Colin Pattenden was first approached by CBG to design sound for the Vale of the White Horse Council project three years ago, and then asked to tender for supplying the equipment. Colin has previously designed and installed creative sound solutions into all manner of environments including open plan office blocks and cold stores!

The Council wanted and versatile, excellent sounding audio system capable of delivering tannoy messages to all areas of the Centre and music to some of them. Additionally, specific areas in the building needed their own customised audio source requirements.

Colin immediately chose JBL for the diverse array of speaker requirements throughout the building. "The JBL range offers the breadth and flexibility I needed for this type of design" he comments. The installation contains a total of 149 speakers - mostly JBL - all in white to match the Centre's colour scheme.

These were supplied to CP Sound by Arbiter PLC, JBL's UK distributors, with advice from Arbiter's Peter Owen.

As soon as CP Sound was confirmed for the contract Colin commenced work on the sound design. At the time, he worked to architect's plans, dividing the building into eight individual zones of sound. With audio technology advancing considerably in three the three years between conception and completion, the spec was updated accordingly.

The biggest challenge was in understanding and achieving the precise sonic requirements demanded by the client across the multiple areas, as well as keeping pace with the various technical changes as relevant over time.

Returning to the Sources

The generic voice tannoy system is also linked to the cardio theatre systems in the Fitness Centre, and to the TVs and sound system in the Bar.

An additional zone-able tannoy mic was needed at the reception desk - which can be selected into any zone around the building, and CP also supplied AKG radio mics for use on special events happening in the Tennis Courts, Pool area and Sports Hall, which cut into the main tannoy system.

For further options and backup, CP Sound specified a Technics CD 5 disk player and a twin cassette player. This allows areas like the crèche to have it's own music source if desired. An additional 5 disk CD player in the Fitness suite gives that area independent control of it's music.

The Dance Studio also has it's own wheeled rack containing a variable speed cassette and CD player and an AKG radio mic headset.

Practically Speaking

The different areas all had different and diverse speaker requirements, but the vast range of JBL give Colin plenty of choices.

Zone 2 is the six tennis courts. Here Colin decided to take three large spherical speakers to cover the area as a tannoy system. However, to be usable as a PA system for events, the spheres also needed to be high power and 150 Watt low impedance.

The Pool area of Zone 2 - features 28 JBL Control 25AV water-protected enclosures. These needed to deliver a clear, solid sound across the area. Pattenden took the mirror-like sonic qualities of the water into account by careful control and positioning of the speakers. The pool changing area and disabled toilets feature a further six JBL Control 25Avs.

In the equipment room and toilets, three JBL control 25 speakers are utilised, and in the pool plant rooms are three horns allowing anyone working there to clearly hear the tannoy and voice evacuation systems above the din of the machinery.

Zone 3, the Fitness Studio, features 8 of the new club-style JBL Control 29 speakers, picked for their sound quality and small physical appearance. Colin wanted unobtrusive enclosures, and enthuses, "They're ideal! They really kick arse despite being so small, and are generally an outstanding speaker."

The Fitness changing area is fitted with JBL Control 25 CT ceiling speakers and the 100V line transformer version Control 25s.

Zone 4 is the Dance Studio. This features two JBL SB2 subs, picked to pump up the low frequencies when the dancing gets energised, and four Control 28s, chosen, again, for their neat appearance. There's also a couple of Control 25AVs as infill in the area adjacent to the sauna.

Zone 5 is the crèche, featuring 4 JBL Control 24 ceiling speakers.

Zone 6, the Sports Hall, has 4 medium sized spherical speakers. The two changing rooms and staff room for this area are also part of Zone 6. The three separate rooms have 3 Control 26 CTs and 9 Control 24 CTs in the viewing gallery ceiling.

Zone 7, the Café Bar, is designed like a conventional bar sound system - of which CP has a myriad of experience. Colin positioned the 18 speakers - a mix of Control 26 CTs, Control 25Ts and 2 Control 23Ts to produce an even coverage, a high clarity sound at comfortable volumes above the hubbub and chatter

Zone 8 - the Squash Courts - features two JBL Control 25s for tannoy

Amplification for all the Centre's sound is 12 RSEs, a CP Sound favourite, picked for reliability and total protection. CP Sound also undertook all the audio cabling required for the installation.

The Leisure Centre, is already proving a popular destination for all types of people seeking to enjoy their leisure time, keep active and experience one of the best sounding fitness centre audio system in the county!