Hardly any other city is associated with the entertainment industry like Las Vegas. From casinos to musical events, magic shows, top-class gastronomy and scenic flights over the nearby Grand Canyon – the oasis in the desert has first-class entertainment and event highlights in store for its guests. But even in a city known for superlatives, some crowd-pullers manage to stand out from the crowd and create particularly outstanding experiences. One such highlight is the Sphere, which opened last September. Its breathtaking combination of revolutionary technologies gives visitors an unforgettable immersive experience. A groundbreaking step in the history of the entertainment industry, which will be honored with the “Sinus – Systems Integration Award” in 2024.
The Sinus Award: One of the most Prestigious Awards in the Industry
The “Sinus,” awarded annually since 2004 at Prolight + Sound, is among the most prestigious awards in the field of audiovisual installations. The prize is given by the Association for Media and Event Technology (VPLT), the European Association of Event Centers (EVVC), and Messe Frankfurt. A panel of experts, comprising representatives from associations and the media, industry experts, and representatives of the fair itself, has selected Sphere as the winner of the “Sinus – System Integration Award.” This year’s Sinus Award ceremony will be held on Thursday, March 21, 2024, during an opulent gala dinner at the 5-star luxury Steigenberger Icon Frankfurter Hof hotel.
Sphere Impresses with Exceptional Metrics
A glance at the remarkable key data and figures immediately reveals the massive scale of this mega-project: It stands as the world’s largest spherical structure, measuring 112 meters in height and 157 meters in width. The Exosphere, a 54,000 m² outer shell that is fully programmable and outfitted with 1.2 million LED pucks, establishes new benchmarks. It features the world’s largest LED screen, boasting an unprecedented resolution. Inside, a 15,000 m² LED display with a stunning 16k x 16k resolution offers unmatched visual experiences for up to 17,600 people, or 20,000 for events with standing room.
The Sphere’s exterior, the Exosphere, is equipped with 1.2 million LED pucks and is fully programmable. | Photo: Sphere Entertainment
The Future of Entertainment Starts Here
What truly distinguishes Sphere is not just the impressive project metrics – it is the perfect harmony of all its technical elements. The massive LED screen inside, stretching 195 meters wide and 76 meters high, masks a key feature of the spherical structure: The exceptional Sphere Immersive Sound system, powered by HOLOPLOT, designed specifically for the curved space. This revolutionary audio system, the X1 Matrix Array, consists of 1,600 stationary and 300 mobile speaker modules, incorporating over 167,000 individually amplified speaker drivers. The state-of-the-art technology behind 3D audio beamforming and wave field synthesis delivers precise, crystal-clear sound to up to 20,000 listeners, each enjoying a personalized auditory experience.
The mesmerizing combination of Sphere Immersive Sound and the curved LED interior wall is enhanced by 4D techniques such as haptic seats and a variety of atmospheric effects like wind gusts, temperature fluctuations, cool breezes, and selected scents. Through the masterful integration of these elements, an impressive multisensory experience of the highest caliber is created for the audience.
Sphere stands out for its perfect synergy of artistic vision and technical innovation, thereby meeting the criteria for the “Sinus” Award in an exceptional way. With its groundbreaking technological features, Sphere is the ideal venue for a diverse range of entertainment formats, from live music and sporting events to high-resolution films and much more – a shining example of excellence in modern system integration.
Past Winners of the Sinus Award
Last year, the AV installation Dark Matter in Berlin, which explored the boundaries between reality and the digital world through seven immersive worlds, secured the coveted award. In 2022, the award was presented to the digital art project Bassins des Lumières in Bordeaux.
