Our Audio Visual Projects

Intro

JD Sound and Video is proud to showcase a recently completed Danley sound system installation at the legendary Crandall Pool at West Point. West Point’s history dates back to the Revolutionary War era, and the United States Military Academy itself was established in 1802, making it one of the most storied institutions in the country.

Crandall Pool carries its own impressive legacy. Since opening in 1970, it has been recognized as one of the top aquatic venues on the East Coast and has hosted major competitions, including the 1972 NCAA Swimming and Diving Championships and the 1971 National AAU Indoor Diving Championships. It was also selected as the official training site for the 1972 Men’s and 1976 Women’s U.S. Olympic teams. More recently, the venue has continued to be part of Army’s competitive history, including record-setting performances during the 2024 Star Meet.

In a facility like this, quality audio is not a luxury. It is essential. Announcements must be intelligible, music needs to have energy and impact, paging must cut through ambient noise, and source integration has to work reliably for day-to-day use as well as major events. That is exactly what this new Danley sound system was designed to deliver.

Loudspeaker System

At the heart of this project is a new Danley loudspeaker system made up of four Danley OS80 loudspeakers and one Danley OS15CX, powered by a Danley DNA 10K4 Pro amplifier. The goal was to provide strong output, excellent intelligibility, and dependable performance in a demanding pool environment. Danley’s outdoor loudspeaker line is built specifically for high-performance applications where weather resistance, projection, and clarity matter.

The Danley OS80 is a fully weatherized, high-output loudspeaker using a 12-inch / 1.4-inch coaxial driver on an 80-degree conical horn, and Danley says a single cabinet can produce high-quality audio beyond 130 dB from a compact full-range Synergy Horn design. That makes it a strong fit for large, reverberant spaces where controlled coverage and vocal intelligibility are critical.

The OS15CX complements the system well for shorter-throw or fill applications. Danley describes it as a fully weatherized loudspeaker using a 15-inch / 1.3-inch coaxial driver, also built around the company’s Synergy Horn approach for phase alignment and consistent performance. In a project like Crandall Pool, that combination helps create a system that is both powerful and controlled, which is exactly what you want in a venue where reflections and ambient noise can quickly work against intelligibility.

Processing and Control

For processing and control, we used our go-to Allen & Heath AHM-16. Allen & Heath positions the AHM-16 as a 16×16 audio matrix processor designed for installed sound applications, with flexible routing and configurable processing for single-room and smaller multi-room spaces.

That gave us a reliable foundation for system control while also simplifying operation for the client. The system includes a 7-inch touchscreen interface for user-friendly control, and we also reintegrated the facility’s existing Shure wireless microphones, tied in the existing PA system, added Bluetooth audio, and connected audio from the large video wall into the overall system workflow.

Why Quality Audio Matters in a Natatorium

Pool environments are tough on audio. Hard surfaces, high ceilings, open water, and spectator noise can make even simple speech reinforcement a challenge. In a venue with the stature of Crandall Pool, poor intelligibility is more than an inconvenience. It affects announcements, event flow, user experience, and the perceived quality of the facility itself.

That is why loudspeaker choice matters so much here. This was not a case of simply hanging speakers and hoping for volume. The system needed clarity, coverage, durability, and control. The Danley loudspeakers gave us the right tools to deliver that, while the AHM platform gave the site a flexible and practical way to manage sources and zones. Danley’s OS series is specifically designed for outdoor and weather-exposed environments, and both the OS80 and OS15CX are described by the manufacturer as fully weatherized products, which is an important advantage in a pool setting.  Danley sound systems are always a top choice.

Tight Timeline, Big Effort

This installation also came with a serious deadline. Our team had just two days on site to complete the work in the space, including rigging and mounting tasks performed at heights of more than 50 feet. We are incredibly proud of our install team for executing this project efficiently and professionally under a tight timeline.

The Right Integrator for the Job

From schools and athletic facilities to houses of worship, municipal spaces, and commercial venues, JD Sound and Video designs and installs professional audio systems that are built for real-world performance. If you are planning a sound system upgrade and need a partner that understands both system design and field execution, we’d love to talk.