The Coca-Cola Arena in Dubai, one of the most prominent multipurpose venues in the Middle East, has just completed a major upgrade of its sound system using the latest loudspeaker technologies from d&b audiotechnik.
Thanks to the extraordinary full-bandwidth directivity of the GSL, KSL, XSL and SL-SUB products from the SL series, along with the latest Compact Cardioid Line Array (CCL) technology, the final system delivers clean and uniform sound throughout the entire venue, with a capacity of 17,000 people.
At the Coca-Cola Arena, we strive to offer five-star quality in every detail of the audience and artist experience. Choosing d&b audiotechnik was about more than just technology: we wanted to partner with a brand that our team and technical experts could fully trust. This installation represents the ultimate in audio performance, ensuring that every seat in the venue enjoys the same exceptional level, explains Mark Jan Kar, General Manager of the Coca-Cola Arena in Dubai and Senior Vice President of Entertainment, Content and Programming at Legends Global (MENA).
The d&b team was led by Brad Maiden, Managing Director of the Middle East office in Dubai, and included Steve Jones, Head of Education and Application Support (EMEA). They worked closely with the Arena’s sound team and with representatives from Coca-Cola Arena and Legends Global to refine the system design, and then brought in one of the world’s most respected live sound engineers, Marc Carolan (Muse), to fine-tune the installation.
Carolan commented: “I’m very familiar with GSL and KSL systems in stadiums, but being part of a permanent installation and having the time to listen and perfect everything without my production manager yelling at me all the time has been fantastic. Steve and the whole team have done an amazing job. The system is top-class”.
Jones added: “In a stadium, controlling sound is very challenging. That’s why the SL series is so valuable: its characteristic cardioid behavior ensures that, when moving to the sides or behind the arrays, the levels decrease evenly across all frequencies”. Regarding the new CCL, he explained: “Despite its compact size, it still provides cardioid control down to the lowest frequencies, which is extraordinary. It integrates perfectly with the larger SL series models, which means we can deliver effective cardioid solutions for any space, maintaining intelligibility and clarity from front to back”.
The new solution, designed to offer the audience the best possible sound experience while also making the technicians’ work easier, incorporates multiple coverage levels that can be activated or deactivated depending on the needs of the multipurpose venue. This allows for flexible control for any type of event without compromising sound quality. The main system was optimized using d&b’s ArrayProcessing software, and a complete Milan network has been implemented for control.
Providing uniform coverage is essential. I’ve been a d&b user for a long time and I know I can trust their systems to deliver the promised coverage. Tonality is equally important. What I love most about the GSL system is that it’s not just a technical tool—it’s like a musical instrument. It has a very natural, musical quality that allows the music to truly shine, Carolan emphasized.
Mark Jan Kar added: “Having d&b’s modular audio systems allows us to transform the Arena smoothly, quickly and without compromise to host concerts, sporting events or corporate shows. This flexibility is essential given the volume and diversity of our business. This upgrade allows us to compete with the best venues in the world, not only in terms of sound quality for artists and audiences, but also in the efficiency with which we organize events. Our goal is to become the region’s reference venue, and investing in the best possible infrastructure, including audio, gives us that advantage”.
Finally, Maiden concluded: “At d&b we work with the world’s leading tours, venues and artists, and it has been a pleasure to collaborate with Coca-Cola Arena and Legends Global to help create this benchmark for entertainment in the Middle East. The installation of our flagship SL series further elevates the Coca-Cola Arena on the global stage as a venue known for its technical excellence and top-tier quality—something we are delighted to be part of”.
