Ryōgoku Kokugikan, also known as Ryōgoku Sumo Hall, is a unique space; inside the venue, sumo wrestlers practice daily, with His Majesty The Emperor often coming to watch from his reserved seat.
Ryōgoku Kokugikan also hosts various other events, including wrestling, concerts and corporate events.
Sumio Akashio, Sound Engineer at the Ryōgoku Kokugikan, said the arena therefore required a PA that could intelligibly reproduce everything from quiet to loud sound reproduction for wrestling in the ring. It also needed to be heard right up to the last row of seats on the second-level balcony.
“In such a way we can create a realistic atmosphere and overcome all the challenges,” commented Akashio, referencing the desired PA system.
In planning the system upgrade, Takahisa Ota from Audiobrains conducted a simulation using Martin Audio’s proprietary DISPLAY 3 modelling software and found that the manufacturer’s WPS line array, in the correct configuration, would be best suited to accommodate the various events hosted in Kokugikan — in terms of size, weight, clarity, and SPL.
In addition to WPS, they added an SXCF118 cardioid subwoofer to provide the deep bass that had been requested. Some 80 WPS cabinets and eight SXCF118 subs were deployed in total.
Martin Audio’s TORUS also features the shape of eight T1215 (four pairs per side) for nearfill. By being directed downwards they can deliver sound without reflections to the VIP areas, where it had previously been difficult to achieve clarity due to the influence of the roof, suspended above the ring.
No other satellite speakers are now required, and each pair can be used to control the SPL within its specific area as required.
Takahisa Ota, who carried out the installation, made the necessary system adjustments to ensure coverage, consistency and control throughout the stadium. “In the vertical pattern, I managed to maintain clarity at the rear while simultaneously suppressing any reflections,” he concluded.
