Top 10 AV Mistakes Arenas Make in Oklahoma City

By Pro AV Services NYC, a KLAV Group company

Oklahoma City arenas host everything from Thunder games to touring concerts, country festivals, and corporate galas. Yet even the most ambitious venues lose revenue and reputation when their audio-visual systems underperform. After producing 1,000+ events for clients like Madison Square Garden, Barclays Center, and UBS Arena, we've seen the same costly mistakes repeated across the country. Here are the top 10 AV mistakes Oklahoma City arenas make — and exactly how to fix them.

1. Wrong Speaker Placement

Hanging speakers based on rigging convenience rather than acoustic modeling creates dead zones, comb filtering, and uneven coverage. Solution: Use EASE or Mapp XT modeling software before any array goes in the air.

2. Skipping Acoustic Treatment

Concrete bowls, metal roofs, and glass facades — common in OKC arenas — generate brutal reflections. No amount of expensive speakers will fix a reverberant room. Solution: Invest in acoustic panels, baffles, and bass traps tuned to your venue's RT60.

3. Buying Consumer Gear Instead of Commercial

Consumer-grade mixers and amplifiers are not built for 200+ event-hours per year. They overheat, fail mid-show, and void warranties. Solution: Specify commercial brands like Yamaha CL/QL, Allen & Heath dLive, d&b audiotechnik, and L-Acoustics.

4. Not Planning for Expansion

Many arenas wire today's needs and ignore tomorrow's. When the venue adds a club section or VIP suites, the entire backbone gets ripped out. Solution: Design Dante/AVB networks with 50% headroom and conduit pathways for future runs.

5. Ignoring Lighting Design

Audio gets the budget; lighting gets leftovers. Poor lighting kills broadcast quality, photo opportunities, and audience energy. Solution: Integrate moving heads, LED washes, and DMX control with a lighting designer from day one.

6. DIY Installation Failures

Untrained crews using zip ties instead of rated rigging hardware is a lawsuit waiting to happen. OSHA fines are the least of your worries. Solution: Hire ETCP-certified riggers and licensed low-voltage installers — every time.

7. No Maintenance Plan

Arenas budget for installation but not for upkeep. Consoles drift, drivers blow, and firmware ages out. Solution: Sign a quarterly preventive maintenance contract that covers calibration, firmware updates, and emergency response.

8. Wrong Equipment for the Space Size

Undersized PAs distort at peak SPL; oversized rigs waste capital and overwhelm small crowds. Solution: Match SPL targets, throw distance, and seat count to a properly sized line array — no guesswork.

9. Ignoring Oklahoma City Noise Ordinances

OKC Municipal Code Chapter 30 limits outdoor amplified sound, and Bricktown venues face stricter decibel caps after 11 PM. Violations bring fines and permit losses. Solution: Install SPL monitoring with automatic limiters, and design directional arrays that minimize spill into residential zones.

10. Not Hiring Professionals

The most expensive mistake of all: trusting a cousin, a contractor, or a one-man shop with a six-figure system. Solution: Hire a full-service AV firm with insurance, certifications, references, and a track record at venues your size or larger.

The Bottom Line

An arena's AV system is the difference between a sold-out tour stop and a one-and-done booking. Artists, promoters, and corporate clients talk — and they remember which venues sound and look world-class.

Free Arena AV Assessment from KLAV Group

Pro AV Services NYC, a KLAV Group company, is offering Oklahoma City arenas a complimentary on-site AV assessment. We'll audit your acoustics, rigging, signal flow, lighting, and maintenance posture — then deliver a written upgrade roadmap with prioritized ROI.

Call 646-280-9522 or email ozzy@klavgroup.com to book your free assessment. Trusted by Madison Square Garden, Barclays Center, UBS Arena, and 1,000+ events nationwide.