Rajadamnern Stadium

Opened in 1945, Rajadamnern Stadium is Thailand’s oldest and most revered Muay Thai (Thai boxing) venue. In addition to its historical significance as the birthplace of Muay Thai as a professional sport, the venue stands out for its one-of-kind circular design which ensures an unobstructed view from every seat.

The grand vision of the Rajadamnern management team was to establish the venue as a premier global destination for sports and cultural experiences. Their mission was to create something unique; the time had come to reimagine Rajadamnern experience— especially its AV systems —to bring the venue in line with modern expectations.

To celebrate the stadium’s 80th anniversary in 2025, the management team envisioned the world’s first “Immersive Muay Thai” experience. They enlisted production specialist Andrei Mazuruc of ShowOne Productions in Canada to lead the project, with KV2 Audio supplying the system and KV2 distributor and audio production specialists, Audio Gears, handling the installation.

A total of 24 KV2 EX28 loudspeakers were installed to deliver an immersive auditory experience. Four pairs of EX28s were mounted on custom poles at each corner of the ring, with an additional 16 EX28s distributed around the perimeter for seamless surround sound. Eight KV2 VHD 2.18J subwoofers reinforced low frequencies, driven by eight KV2 VHD 3200 amplifiers. Control and distribution were managed through four NST Audio VMX88 processors, Netgear M4250 switches, a Drawmer DA6 amplifier, and a Midas M32 Live console with a DN32 Dante expansion card.

The result is a crystal-clear, dynamic audio experience that enhances the stadium’s iconic status, ensuring an unmatched level of auditory immersion for spectators.

One of the biggest challenges was preserving the integrity of Rajadamnern’s dome, which was envisioned as a projection screen for the immersive experience. No equipment could obstruct sightlines or cast shadows on the roof, ruling out traditional overhead speaker placements.

Additionally, the audio system needed to provide crystal-clear commentary that felt localized to the ring while also delivering immersive surround sound. This meant that a conventional distributed system around the dome wouldn’t work either because the ring master’s voice needed to sound like it was emanating directly from the ring. Consequently, a more creative approach was required.

After extensive modelling, KV2’s it became clear that a solution based on KV2’s EX28 full range active loudspeakers would solve all the problems. Their compact size allowed them to be discreetly placed on custom poles at the ring corners without intruding on the action, while delivering powerful, full-range audio to the entire stadium. The system was fine-tuned with precise processing to create the illusion of sound originating from the boxing ring while maintaining immersive surround effects and minimising the effect of the reflection from the room.

In surround mode, each of the perimeter EX28s gives wide enough coverage that surround sound effect can be heard by everyone in the audience, no matter where they are seated. When paired with the distributed sub arrangement, even the low-mid frequencies can be localised in surround mode; yet in stereo mode the sub arrangement gives even coverage throughout the venue.

Despite the challenges, the installation was completed successfully by December 15, 2024, in time for the stadium’s grand reopening on December 21st.

KV2’s innovative installation at Rajadamnern Stadium has transformed the venue into the world’s first fully immersive Muay Thai experience. This groundbreaking project combines tradition with cutting-edge technology, creating an unparalleled auditory experience that elevates both sporting and cultural spectacles.

With only 24 compact loudspeakers, the system delivers crystal-clear sound with zero distortion, even in a roaring stadium environment. Sightlines have also been preserved so as not to interfere with the complex projection mapping on the roof of the iconic domed roof of the stadium.

The strategic placement of the loudspeakers combined with advanced processing ensure perfect localization of commentary while preserving immersive surround effects. The installation has not only enhanced the fight-night experience but also cemented Rajadamnern Stadium’s place as a premier global sports and entertainment destination.

Mr. Sarun Ladawon, Chief Marketing Officer of Global Sport Ventures Co., Ltd., confirms the impact of KV2’s installation:
“Sound has always been a challenge in our circular dome setting, but with KV2, we can now hear details that were once impossible to capture. Today, I can confidently say that Rajadamnern Stadium boasts one of the finest sound systems of any stadium in Thailand.”

This project exemplifies innovation, precision, and a commitment to redefining audience engagement through immersive audio—making it a worthy recipient of a MONDO-DR Award.