Newmarket Racecourse: Outdoor Sound System Case Study

Newmarket racecourse is the birthplace of British horse racing and with it, some of the most glamorous crowds in sport. A day at the races is as much about the atmosphere as the action, and clear, powerful commentary is essential to that experience.

Audiotek was brought in to solve a problem that had plagued the venue for years: poor speech intelligibility in critical outdoor areas. The brief? Deliver an outdoor sound system that could cut through the crowd noise, withstand the elements, and integrate with existing infrastructure.

Project Challenges

Outdoor venues always present unique challenges, and Newmarket Racecourse was no exception:

Poor intelligibility: The legacy system struggled to deliver clear speech, especially in the standing and social areas
Weather exposure: Systems had to perform in wind, rain, and sunshine
Coverage complexity: The venue spans several tiers, balconies, and enclosures with different acoustics
Preserving infrastructure: The new system needed to integrate with the existing PA where appropriate

Project Scope – AV Installation at Newmarket Racecourse

Audiotek conducted a full technical survey, followed by EASE acoustic simulations to model the best coverage strategy.

Our scope included:

Replacing limited-range, speech-only loudspeakers with full-range, weather-resistant units
Delivering consistent sound pressure levels across multiple areas: the main spectator standing zone, Premier Enclosure, betting ring, and the second and fourth floor balconies.
Integrating new audio with the existing public address system
Configuring control and monitoring via QSC Q-SYS for long-term management and visibility

Design Approach to Outdoor Sound System

This wasn’t just about installing better speakers; it was about understanding how people experience live audio in open-air environments.

Our solution included:

Community full-range loudspeakers, chosen for their weather resistance and clarity at range
QSC amplifiers matched to the required SPL levels, with plenty of headroom for busy race days
Zoning and tuning to ensure even sound coverage across varied audience spaces
Integration with the existing PA to allow centralised control and emergency override

Newmarket Racecourse Key Innovations

Intelligibility-first design: EASE simulation ensured the placement and angle of every speaker maximised speech clarity
Infrastructure reuse: By leveraging parts of the existing PA system, we kept disruption and cost low
Q-SYS control: Remote monitoring and diagnostics simplify day-to-day operations for venue staff
Future-ready scalability: The system can be expanded to new zones without redesign

Newmarket Racecourse Installation & Execution

Audiotek’s team handled the installation with minimal disruption to venue operations:

Work was scheduled around the race calendar to avoid guest impact
Speakers were weatherproofed and mounted for maximum durability
Amplifier racks were housed in secure locations with optimal cable runs
System commissioning included extensive on-site testing to fine-tune clarity and SPL balance across every area

Feedback was immediate. Racegoers noted the vast improvement in clarity and coverage, transforming how they experienced race commentary and announcements.

Commercial & Educational Insights

Newmarket illustrates key best practices in outdoor sound design:

Intelligibility is everything: Especially in environments where announcements drive crowd movement and engagement
Modelling matters: EASE simulation helped us get it right the first time
Integration beats replacement: Smart use of existing systems can save money and time
Durability is non-negotiable: Community loudspeakers and QSC hardware are built to last

Conclusion – Outdoor Sound System That Brings the Action to Life

At Newmarket Racecourse, Audiotek delivered more than just better sound. We brought the experience back to the crowd.

With crystal clear commentary and an immersive audio environment, the sound system now matches the prestige of the venue.