Originally built in 1975 and previously known as Les Arènes de l'Agora, the Arènes de Grand Paris Sud has been transformed into a cultural and sporting destination following a five-year, €35 million renovation. Part of the ambitious Grand Paris project aimed at injecting new employment and cultural opportunities into the suburbs surrounding Paris, this venue now serves as the prominent cultural, concert and sports arena in the South of Paris, with capacity for up to 3,000 spectators.
The arena has established itself as a groundbreaking multipurpose space, conceived as a flexible performance venue that regularly transforms from a seated theatre to a standing concert hall, sports venue, or central-stage esports arena.
Most significantly, when the venue was commissioned as the official home of France's leading esports team, Karmine Corp, it became the first arena in Europe to serve as an official home to an esports team.
Management turned to AV consultants Concept K to meet this challenge. To ensure design and delivery of the audio system, Concept K engaged trusted collaborator Fleik, specialists in AV consulting and Monitoring Potar Hurlant for system integration.
The main challenge at this venue was ensuring flawless coverage in a space designed to be reconfigured at speed. The arena's modular architecture required an installation that was powerful yet discreet, high-performance but without compromising sightlines. Mounting constraints meant the system had to integrate harmoniously with the building's geometry while offering rapid adaptability for multiple stage setups.
To meet these requirements, Fleik and Concept K specified a system centered on the L-Acoustics L2 line source.
The team used L-Acoustics Soundvision software to optimise performance long before the system was installed. Audience areas were first defined in Vectorworks before being exported to Soundvision, where multiple scenarios were simulated.
The final design deploys two L2 modules to cover the upper seating tiers, complemented by two L2D modules to ensure even coverage across the lower levels. Four KS28 subwoofers flown in a cardioid configuration adjacent to the L2 to deliver powerful yet controlled low end. A central cluster of two A15 Focus provides additional energy for the front rows, while an A15 paired with an X12 per side provides out-fill. For the very first rows, eight X8 front-fills bring clarity and balance, seamlessly blending with the larger system. Monitoring is managed by six X12 speakers. System management is anchored by an L-Acoustics P1 processor, which guarantees flexible connectivity with the venue's Yamaha DM7 mixing console or any visiting desk, while ensuring reliability and simplified workflow. Processing is managed by four LA7.16i, two LA12X and five LA4X.