Nestled in the heart of East Lansing, Michigan, Spartan Stadium has been home to the Michigan State University Spartans since 1923. With a capacity exceeding 75,000 and crowds that regularly surge past 80,000, the venue regularly hosts some of the largest crowds in college football, creating an intense and highly demanding acoustic environment. The stadium has undergone significant renovations and expansions over its history, including the addition of luxury suites and club seating.
Yet behind the crowds, the stadium’s aging sound system struggled to keep pace. After decades of use and multiple expansions, intelligibility had become a growing issue. The announcements lacked clarity, music fell flat and the system’s reliability was under strain. Michigan’s freezing winter climate was particularly harsh on electronics and the placement of critical components within the scoreboard exacerbated the problem. The venue required a modern audio system capable of achieving clear, intelligible sound that could rise above the roar of tens of thousands. Delivering on that vision required a system with tremendous power, durability and precision. The Michigan State University turned to Anthony James Partners (AJP) to design and oversee the upgrade.
“Spartan Stadium required a significant overhaul to support intelligibility,” said Jack Covert, Vice President of Audio Engineering for Anthony James Partners (AJP). “The existing system was underperforming. The biggest issue wasn’t even the amplifiers themselves, but that all the electronics were mounted inside the scoreboards. When you place gear in an environment that experiences those temperature swings, it simply doesn’t last.”
The first step in AJP’s design was to protect the system from the elements. “Michigan State had to move all the electronics into a heated and air-conditioned room within the stadium, below the scoreboard,” Covert explained. “From there, we cabled up to the speakers. That single change drastically improved longevity and serviceability.”
With a stable infrastructure in place, AJP turned its focus to the heart of the challenge, delivering clear, intelligible sound across the entire bowl of one of the Big Ten’s largest venues. The system needed to project cleanly from one end zone to the other, without overwhelming those sitting closest to the speakers.
“Energy is the name of the game in college football,” said Covert. “You need high-powered loudspeakers positioned far enough away from fans so it’s not uncomfortable nearby, yet powerful enough to reach the far end. The balance of power and coverage defines the design.”
To meet those demands, AJP turned to Powersoft, whose amplifiers would drive the entire system. “This stadium is powered entirely by Powersoft,” Covert noted. “The outdoor point-source systems need a tremendous amount of energy. Powersoft delivered exactly what was required in both capacity and performance.”
The new system design features a point-source loudspeaker array mounted in the scoreboard, supported by delay-fill loudspeakers for even coverage across the upper and lower seating areas. “The point-source design drives speech clarity,” Covert said. “It’s all about achieving intelligibility through careful tuning, precise loudspeaker placement and thoughtful design. The goal is always clear speech that cuts through the noise.”
At the center of the system is Powersoft’s Unica platform, a next-generation amplifier line that combines premium amplification with advanced DSP control. Built on a proprietary third-generation architecture, Unica offers an exceptional signal-to-noise ratio, ultra-efficient power management and reduced heat generation, which are key advantages in a stadium setting where reliability is paramount.
“Powersoft continues to impress,” Covert said. “Their DSP platform, delivered through Unica and managed in Armonía software, is one of the strongest on the market. It’s intuitive, powerful and constantly evolving. Powersoft has done an exceptional job building and maintaining that technology.”
The Spartan Stadium upgrade has established a new performance standard for Michigan State University’s athletic facilities. “The system has been running beautifully, with no issues reported,” said Covert. “Since then, we’ve also completed systems for the Breslin Center and Munn Ice Arena, both powered by Powersoft. The university has been extremely pleased with the performance and reliability.”
Covert attributes part of that success to AJP’s unique approach. “One of the things that sets us apart is our level of Construction Administration,” he said. “We stay engaged from design through commissioning. Powersoft has consistently been the least of our worries — they’re the shining star. When you take their amplifiers out of the box, they just work. Flawlessly.”
The new audiovisual system at Spartan Stadium delivers consistent clarity and power across every seat, driven by Powersoft’s Unica platform. Unica combines high-quality amplification with advanced DSP capabilities for precise system control and reliable operation. Featuring third-generation architecture, Unica offers an exceptional signal-to-noise ratio. The redesigned output stage and power supply minimize energy loss and heat buildup, which are crucial for long-term stability in demanding outdoor environments.
- AVNation Staff
- AVNation Staff
- AVNation Staff
- AVNation Staff
