Soboba Casino Resort Goes All-In with State-of-the-Art HARMAN Professional Solutions Networked AV System

Agility AVL recently equipped the newly-built Soboba Casino Resort with state-of-the-art HARMAN Professional Solutions networked AV and sound reinforcement systems.

Opened in February 2019, Soboba Casino Resort is a 480,000 sq.ft. gaming, entertainment, and hospitality establishment operated by the Soboba Tribal Administration. The casino itself features a 90,000 sq. ft. gaming floor with 2,000 slot machines, 32 types of table games and a high-roller room. Attached to the casino is a Cabaret Lounge with a stage for live performances and a sports bar featuring two large video walls and numerous televisions. The complex also boasts a hotel with 200 guest rooms, an event center, and multiple dining venues.

With new legislation regarding legal sports betting in California still undecided, the casino needed a flexible and scalable AV system that could adapt to multiple usage scenarios, including a sports book operation. The Soboba Tribal Government hired Agility AVL to equip the entire complex with a complete HARMAN networked AV system including JBL Professional loudspeakers, AMX SVSI control systems, BSS signal processors, and Martin lighting fixtures.

"We used all JBL speakers throughout the casino," says Kevin Hill, VP of marketing and sales at Agility AVL. "We put VRX arrays in the entertainment lounge, as well as BSS signal processing. We used the SVSI 2200 series encoder/decoder system throughout the entire property to distribute various sources like DIRECTV and digital signage from SpinetiX."

Soboba Casino Resort's expansive AV system includes a total of 24 AMX NMX-ENC-N2122 encoders and 86 NMX-DEC-N2222 decoders. AMX N-Series controller units route television and digital signage data between the encoders and decoders via NMX-ENET-500 ethernet switches. Other AMX solutions used include NXA-WAP-R500 wireless access points and MSD-701 L2 wall-mounted touch panels for increased control and flexibility.

For audio distribution, Agility AVL installed a wide selection of JBL loudspeakers throughout Soboba Casino Resort. JBL Control Contractor Series loudspeakers make up the main distributed audio system, including a variety of in-ceiling Control C/T models. Other specialized JBL loudspeakers include Control 25 AV indoor/outdoor monitors and Intellivox DS18 Active Beam Shaping loudspeaker arrays.

"Having a multitude of different products to choose from for very specific areas without losing any sound quality makes it very easy, and most companies don't have that," says Art Martinez, account executive at Agility AVL. "Most companies have a couple of different models, but not a variety of speaker types that can be utilized to the fullest throughout the whole property."

The Cabaret Lounge features a stage in one corner for live music and events, which is equipped with JBL VRX932LAP line array loudspeakers and VRX918SP subwoofers. The VRX932LAP's 100-degree horizontal dispersion pattern provides adequate coverage across the entire room, while their 15-degree vertical dispersion ensures that sound doesn't project onto the floor or ceiling. A BSS BLU-160 signal processor provides powerful DSP, specifically tailored to the VRX line arrays. JBL Control P/T pendant speakers hang from the room's high ceiling, providing background music when the stage is not in use. The stage is lit by 12 Martin THRILL Mini Profile lighting fixtures.

"Since there's no carpet, just a concrete painted floor, it poses a real challenge for any sound system," says Martinez. "The VRX system is easy to tune, balance and focus, despite that factor and the lack of soundproofing in the lounge. That was one of the biggest reasons we went with VRX."

"We love Harman, SVSI, and the integration of everything," says Hill. "We tend to use a lot of HARMAN products because of their versatility and the multitude of products available. You can pretty much find a speaker for any application out there that you could possibly need."