The Coca-Cola Arena in Dubai, UAE – a high-profile, 17,000-capacity multipurpose entertainment venue – has just completed a major sound system upgrade using the latest loudspeaker system technologies from d&b audiotechnik. The finished system features the full-bandwidth directivity of the GSL, KSL, XSL and SL-SUB products from the company’s SL-Series, plus the very latest Compact Cardioid Line Array (CCL).
“At Coca-Cola Arena, we aim for five-star quality in every detail of the audience and artist experience,” said Mark Jan Kar, general manager of the Coca-Cola Arena in Dubai and SVP of entertainment, content and programming for Legends Global (MENA). “Choosing d&b audiotechnik was about more than technology – it was about partnering with a brand that our team and our technical experts truly trust. This installation represents the pinnacle of audio performance, ensuring that every seat in the house receives the same exceptional standard.”
The d&b team was led by Brad Maiden, general manager of the Middle East office in Dubai and included Steve Jones, head of education and application support (EMEA). They worked closely with the arena’s sound crew and representatives from Coca-Cola Arena and Legends Global to refine the system design. They then brought in live sound engineer Marc Carolan (Muse) to fine-tune the installation, who commented: “Steve and the whole team have done a fantastic job. The system is world-class.”
“In an arena, controlling sound is notoriously difficult,” said Jones. “That’s why the SL-Series is so valuable: its signature cardioid behaviour ensures that as you move to the sides or behind the arrays, levels drop off consistently across all frequencies.”
Of the new CCL, Jones added, “Despite its compact size, it still delivers cardioid control down to the lowest frequencies, which is remarkable. It slots in perfectly with the larger SL-Series cabinets, meaning we can provide effective cardioid solutions for any space, maintaining intelligibility and clarity from front to back.”
The new solution, aimed at giving the venue’s audiences the best possible sound experience while being rider-friendly, is designed with multiple levels of coverage that can be activated or deactivated as needed by the multipurpose venue. This is to enable flexible control for any type of event, without compromising sound quality. The main system was finessed using d&b’s ArrayProcessing software. On the control side, a complete Milan network is implemented.
“Consistent coverage is critical,” said Carolan. “I’ve been a long-time d&b user, and I know I can rely on their systems to deliver coverage as promised. Tonality is equally important. What I love about GSL in particular is that it isn’t just a technical tool – it feels like a musical instrument. It has a very natural, musical quality that allows the art to really shine.”
“Having d&b’s modular audio systems allows us to seamlessly transform the arena from concerts to sporting events to corporate shows, at speed and without compromise,” said Jan Kar. “That flexibility is critical given the volume and diversity of our business. This upgrade ensures we can compete with the world’s top venues – not only in terms of sound quality for artists and audiences, but also in the efficiency with which we deliver events. Our ambition is to be the region’s must-play venue, and investing in the best possible infrastructure, including audio, gives us that edge.”
