The woeful Ricoh P.A. system (1 Viewer)

Alan Dugdales Moustache · Mar 14, 2018

...it reminds me of trying to play music on my record player when I was a kid in the 1970s with a 100w amp at full blast via some tiny 10w binatone speakers.
...can't understand a word.

Liquid Gold · Mar 14, 2018

It's OK, I'm sure our cash rich benevolent landlords will sort it out...

SkyBlueSid · Mar 14, 2018

The PA at the Ricoh has been rubbish more or less since the place was built. We were in the main stand recently and it is completely inaudible. Surely this is a safety issue. If ever they had to evacuate the stadium nobody would have a clue what was going on.

clint van damme · Mar 14, 2018

what was the constant muttering coming out of it last night?

I_Saw_Shaw_Score · Mar 14, 2018

Last night sounded like it was coming over the safety announcement system not the PA system.

I_Saw_Shaw_Score · Mar 14, 2018

clint van damme said:
what was the constant muttering coming out of it last night?

That was in the away end telling the luton fans to stop blocking the aisles

Alan Dugdales Moustache · Mar 14, 2018

I_Saw_Shaw_Score said:
Last night sounded like it was coming over the safety announcement system not the PA system.

....."This is a safety announcement. Please evacuate the stadium immediately.....hello..? "

stevefloyd · Mar 14, 2018

Was it said in a cockerney accent?

clint van damme · Mar 14, 2018

I_Saw_Shaw_Score said:
Last night sounded like it was coming over the safety announcement system not the PA system.

thought I could hear the words 9 and 10 which I assumed referred to those blocks but thought if there was something going on the stewards would have been in there.

I_Saw_Shaw_Score · Mar 14, 2018

clint van damme said:
thought I could hear the words 9 and 10 which I assumed referred to those blocks but thought if there was something going on the stewards would have been in there.

Yeah they sent about half a dozen orange coated stewards to stand in the aisle at the back!

sw88 · Mar 14, 2018

It’s been at its worst for the last two games. Sounds like either the guy on the mic is in a tunnel, or maybe it’s us and he’s on the outside speaking in?

joemercersaces · Mar 14, 2018

My mother-in-law has just taken up the announcing. She holds the phone upside down when she calls us so I’m used to it. She was telling the Luton fans “you’re in the top two so make some shagging noise you sad bastards” - nothing to do with aisles.

stupot07 · Mar 14, 2018

It sounds so non league, wasps must have replaced the previous PA with a cheaper model.

Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk

SkyBlueSoul · Mar 14, 2018

I did a shit ton of work on this a few years back. Annoyingly, this is an area still largely seen as objective rather than subjective by companies. Just had a quick look and when the system was upgraded for the Olympics (2011), measurements were taken based on the Speech Transmission Index (STI) and the space was rated 0.51 (0 = shit, 1 = excellent), which amazingly hits the target for spaces of that type (big spaces with lots of natural reverberation). As long as they hit the numbers, I don't think it matters what it sounds like to you and me.

I was allowed in to do my own tests as part of my degree and measured clarity levels. The ideal C50 value in a large space is 4-6dB and the Ricoh came out at 1-2dB...

Interesting right?......Right? Hey, wake up!

wingy · Mar 14, 2018

SkyBlueSoul said:
I did a shit ton of work on this a few years back. Annoyingly, this is an area still largely seen as objective rather than subjective by companies. Just had a quick look and when the system was upgraded for the Olympics (2011), measurements were taken based on the Speech Transmission Index (STI) and the space was rated 0.51 (0 = shit, 1 = excellent), which amazingly hits the target for spaces of that type (big spaces with lots of natural reverberation). As long as they hit the numbers, I don't think it matters what it sounds like to you and me.

I was allowed in to do my own tests as part of my degree and measured clarity levels. The ideal C50 value in a large space is 4-6dB and the Ricoh came out at 1-2dB...

Interesting right?......Right? Hey, wake up!

Yeah mate I've Always been fascinated by decibels as a measure.
I know a little knowledge is dangerous but is it correct that an increase of 3db is equivilent to a doubling of the sound /output ?

SkyBlueSoul · Mar 14, 2018

Wow, I was not expecting interest in that subject haha it changes based on what you're measuring but yes, +3dB = twice as much power output.

In case you're interested, +6dB = a doubling in voltage output and +10dB = a doubling in perceived volume by the listener

wingy · Mar 14, 2018

SkyBlueSoul said:
Wow, I was not expecting interest in that subject haha it changes based on what you're measuring but yes, +3dB = twice as much power output.

In case you're interested, +6dB = a doubling in voltage output and +10dB = a doubling in perceived volume by the listener

Would that last one relate to rms values?

speedie87 · Mar 14, 2018

Last few games it just sounds like the bass / treble knob has been turned to full treble

wingy · Mar 14, 2018

speedie87 said:
Last few games it just sounds like the bass / treble knob has been turned to full treble

They need a new graphic equaliser!!

speedie87 · Mar 14, 2018

wingy said:
They need a new graphic equaliser!!

Used to love watching that on my old amp!!!

SkyBlueSoul · Mar 14, 2018

wingy said:
Would that last one relate to rms values?

The last one is more psychoacoustics because it's to do with perception of sound.

The +6dB one is relevant to RMS because it is to do with amplitude

wingy · Mar 14, 2018

SkyBlueSoul said:
The last one is more psychoacoustics because it's to do with perception of sound.

The +6dB one is relevant to RMS because it is to do with amplitude

Cheers fella ,like I say a little knowledge and all that, I better stop boring the others now.

SkyBlueSoul · Mar 14, 2018

wingy said:
Cheers fella ,like I say a little knowledge and all that, I better stop boring the others now.

No worries mate, glad to help. It's been useful jogging my memory. Bet they regret bringing up the PA system now haha

wingy · Mar 14, 2018

Maybe somebody forgot to press the Dolby button .

CCFC54321 · Mar 14, 2018

Liquid Gold said:
It's OK, I'm sure our cash rich benevolent landlords will sort it out...

We were discussing the state of the Ricoh last night and it appears to us that Wasps aren’t maintaining the upkeep of the ground. The pitch is a disgrace, the PA system was pathetic and it feels like Wasps aren’t investing in it. I wonder why? I can’t help think things aren’t great financially still. I was told by a waspette fan that there two highest earners are being let go next season and replaced by two younger reserve players. Again why?

Sbarcher · Mar 15, 2018

Took my seat early on Tuesday and the pa guy was messing about with his settings. He even said that sounds much better than Saturday. It did actually, but they must have accepted a problem for them to be fiddling!!!!

BlueElephant · Mar 15, 2018

It sounds bloody terrible, it's only become a problem recently - although I kinda wish it wasn't working when the announcer used to ask "are there any Coventry fans in the Telent Stand??"

Ccfc1979 · Mar 15, 2018

I tweeted them and got this reply.

rob9872 · Mar 15, 2018

It has got noticeably worse this past year or so. When we first moved to the Ricoh, I recall commenting how much clearer than at HR, but overtime gradually worse until this past season inaudible. Does the acoustics of number of people in the ground or where we are sat affect it (height etc?) or is it simply old, never cleaned or full of dust and pigeon sh#t?

Nick · Mar 15, 2018

Sounds like the speakers have popped

PCH · Mar 15, 2018

I was involved with the project at the time the PA system was installed. Along with the CCTV, Fire alarm and Turnstiles. They were advised heavily to go with a more adequate system but shall we say went down a more economic route.

Mcbean · Mar 15, 2018

Its clear ( or not as the case maybe )they have sub contracted out the announcements to an Indian call centre

SkyBlueSoul · Mar 15, 2018

rob9872 said:
Does the acoustics of number of people in the ground or where we are sat affect it (height etc?)

Theoretically yes, one thing that negatively affects intelligibility is strong initial reverberation and reflections. You will get a lot more sound waves reflected from a plastic seat (or 25,000 of them) than a human. In practice I think the difference would be nominal though, as long as the audio from the speaker gets to you before all the reverb, which it will do.

I think the system is just shit.

wingy · Mar 15, 2018

Beyond whatever they do or don't do it would have little bearing for me past raging tinnitus.

italiahorse · Mar 15, 2018

Nick said:
Sounds like the speakers have popped

Sounded okay when playing ACDC Back in Black recently

The woeful Ricoh P.A. system (1 Viewer)

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Chief Commentator!

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Attachments

Well-Known Member

Administrator

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Users who are viewing this thread