Bosch is combining IoT-based sound, safety and security in the Kia Metropol Arena in Nuremberg, Germany.

For football at Bundesliga level, corporate conferences and cultural events, the arena opened in 2021 and has impressed visitors with its flexibility, space and visibility for over 4000 spectators across four stands.

Thanks to technology planned and implemented by Bosch, the arena is secure, while at the same time providing crystal-clear sound for all its events. The building makes the most of IoT, connectivity and digital technology.

In addition to the latest IP technologies for video surveillance, intrusion and fire protection, the arena also hosts an integrated system for public address and voice alarms, which completely dispenses with analogue transmission paths.

With its sound quality, quick voice alarming and crystal-clear speech for emergencies, the easy-to-use sound system and voice alarm implemented in the arena meets all requirements for major events and sets a standard for future projects.

The technological heart of the system is the IP-based Praesensa from Bosch, a flexible system with a built-in fail-safe due to its multi-channel amplifier architecture. A digital mixing console and radio microphones are connected to the system, and 56 certified full-range loudspeakers from Electro-Voice were installed in the interior.

The acoustics of sports halls are often considered particularly difficult to get right due to the reverberation caused by the spacious architecture. To address this, Bosch’s sound system experts and acoustic designers ran simulations in a 3D model, in combination with fine tuning on site. The result is that the 20kW system transmits sound that guarantees clarity of speech in every seat; the system covers all buildings and rooms, including VIP lounges, press rooms, catering, changing and training zones where additional loudspeakers are installed. All announcements can therefore be heard everywhere, with speech intelligibility.

The fully digital system lets announcements be made live or played automatically from digital memory. Meanwhile, maintenance by Bosch can be carried out quickly and remotely, while adjustments can be made by updating the software. At the same time, it is energy efficient, as the system was designed to keep power consumption as low as possible.