Angel Of The Winds Arena, North America

The Opportunity

Opened in 2003, the Angel Of The Winds Arena in Everett, Washington, is a versatile 10,000-seat venue hosting a variety of events, including hockey games, trade shows, concerts, and graduations. However, after two decades of operation, the arena’s original JBL sound system was aging and no longer capable of delivering the clarity and coverage required for its demanding event schedule. Key issues included uneven sound distribution, especially in the upper seating areas, and the need to push sound levels to uncomfortable volumes to compensate for dead zones. With a complex roof design and a large scoreboard obstructing sound paths, the arena needed an upgraded audio solution that could provide consistent, high-quality sound coverage across all areas while minimizing visual distractions.

The Solution

To address these challenges, Angel Of The Winds Arena partnered with Morgan Sound, a trusted JBL partner with over 50 years of experience, to design and install a state-of-the-art audio system using JBL’s VTX A6 loudspeakers. The arena became the first in the world to fully deploy the VTX A6 system, chosen for its compact size, high output, and ability to provide comprehensive coverage with a minimal footprint.

The upgraded system included 14 arrays of VTX A6 sub-compact dual 6.5-inch line array elements, strategically hung in a sharply curved configuration to overcome the arena’s uneven roof design and sightline issues caused by the central scoreboard. This approach replaced the conventional method of using a smaller number of larger arrays, ensuring even sound distribution across the entire venue, including problematic upper seating areas. Ten of the arrays featured 12 boxes each, while the smaller seating section at the east end was covered by two seven-box arrays.

To ensure that sound reached every part of the arena floor—critical during hockey games—two additional seven-box arrays were positioned to fire directly downwards. The design also incorporated a zoning capability, allowing operators to activate or deactivate different parts of the system based on the event type. For example, all zones could be active during hockey games, while upper clusters could be disabled for graduations to minimize reverberation.

The system was modeled and fine-tuned using JBL’s Venue Synthesis software, which allowed Morgan Sound to conduct virtual 3D walkthroughs with the arena’s leadership, ensuring all sightline and sound coverage concerns were addressed before installation. The speakers were pre-assembled at Morgan Sound’s shop and shipped to the arena ready for rapid deployment, minimizing downtime for the busy venue.

For ticketing areas and entrances, JBL AWC82 all-weather speakers were installed to provide clear sound for patrons waiting outside, while the concourses utilized reorganized JBL Control Series components for cleaner networked operation.

The Result

The new JBL VTX A6 sound system has transformed the audio experience at Angel Of The Winds Arena, delivering crystal-clear sound and even coverage across all seating areas. The sub-compact design of the A6 speakers minimized visual obstructions, ensuring that the scoreboard and event lighting remained unobstructed. The system’s ability to selectively activate zones based on event requirements significantly improved the versatility of the arena’s audio capabilities.

Feedback from event attendees and arena staff has been overwhelmingly positive. The Everett Silvertips hockey team, which resides at the arena, expressed their excitement about the upgraded sound system’s ability to deliver powerful, clear audio without the harshness and dead zones that plagued the previous setup. Curtis Giboney, the arena’s Technical Services & Special Projects Manager, praised the smooth installation process and the cost savings achieved by Morgan Sound’s efficient reuse of existing infrastructure.

The project also underscored the long-standing partnership between Morgan Sound and JBL Professional. Charlie Morgan, owner of Morgan Sound, reflected on the success of the installation as a testament to the value of decades-long industry relationships and expertise.

By deploying the JBL VTX A6 system, Angel Of The Winds Arena not only solved its sound coverage challenges but also set a new standard for audio quality in multipurpose arenas. The successful upgrade positions the venue to continue hosting a wide range of events with exceptional sound quality for years to come.