EAW System Installed in DCU Center For over 40 years, the DCU Center in Worcester, Massachusetts, has been a central hub for live entertainment in New England, drawing millions of fans for everything from hockey games to concert tours. With up to 14,000 seats and a wide variety of events, "We needed a system that matched the energy and professionalism of our diverse event schedule," says Sandy Dunn, general manager of the DCU Center for Legends/ASM Global. Eastern Acoustic Works (EAW) partnered with venue leadership and top-tier industry collaborators on a system, designed by WJHW, a firm known for large-scale venue AV, with installation led by Ostrow Electric Company and Metropolitan Interactive. The result is a fully customized audio solution built to address the architectural and acoustic challenges of the DCU Center. The centerpiece of the new system is EAW's ADAPTive Series, featuring six main hangs with six Anna loudspeakers and three Otto subwoofers each, totaling 36 Anna and 18 Otto modules. Supplementary QX300 and MK2300 Series loudspeakers provide detailed coverage across all seating zones. According to EAW, "The ADAPTive system can perfectly cover the venue's full room seating from a sporting event standpoint, but because of its ability to adapt coverage to different scenarios, it can also change coverage to focus full system energy on only the lower or mid-level seating without the demand of addressing the array mechanically. This allows for less reverb and tighter, more intelligible sound at smaller events, all while maintaining the same signature sound for each audience scenario." "One of the standout features of the EAW system is its ability to deliver precise, uniform coverage across a large and acoustically complex space, no matter the event," says Rob Hornbaker, director of operations of the DCU Center for Legends/ASM Global. "While our previous system served us well for many years, today's events come with more advanced technical demands. The new EAW system not only delivers exceptional sound quality but is also more efficient and easier to manage for our in-house operations team. This holistic approach ensures the system is built to meet the demands of today's events while being adaptable for the future." The ADAPTive system allows the venue to redeploy its existing clusters with minimal manpower. The DCU Center frequently hosts events such as graduations and can now reconfigure the speaker clusters into an end-zone deployment. "Since the installation, guest feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. Artists and production teams have also noted the difference, pointing out how easy it is to achieve a clean mix in the space," says Hornbaker. "Fans, event organizers, and production crews have all commented on the clarity and balance of the sound throughout the arena, regardless of their location in the building," explains Dunn. "This is the result of a powerful, flexible sound system that enhances every event so the DCU Center can host the next generation of live entertainment." 
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