512 d&b Audiotechnik SL-Series loudspeakers suspended using over 126m of steel cables offer flawless coverage to 70,000 fans for Jason Zhang’s unforgettable 12-night residency at Beijing’s iconic Bird’s Nest Stadium

A landmark in professional audio was recently achieved in China. From 18th April to 11th May 2025, music sensation Jason Zhang delivered twelve groundbreaking performances at Beijing’s iconic Bird’s Nest Stadium, where 70,000 fans nightly experienced a true revolution in live sound; as Nanjing OST Audiovisual Technology and audio legend Jin Shaogang’s team achieved a feat that seemed to be ‘impossible’ – coalescing China’s first cable-hung stadium audio deployment.

The concerts, part of his “FUTURE.LIVE” tour, spotlighted a colossal deployment of 512 units of d&b audiotechnik SL-Series loudspeakers suspended using over 126m of steel cables – a feat that had never been achieved before in the country. This visionary act proved to be the backbone of the crystal-clear soundscape experienced across every seat of the 70,000-capacity venue over 12 sold-out nights — a milestone event for both artist and sound engineering teams.

Spearheaded by Sound Engineering Director Jin Shaogang and renowned sound engineer Zhang Xiaonian — founder of live event rental solutions specialist Nanjing OST — the production team faced the challenge of designing a system that would provide complete coverage while preserving sightlines within the vast stadium space.

“In order to provide the audience with a stage that does not block their view, Zhang Jie and the production team used steel cables in the Bird’s Nest for this concert, and it is unprecedented to hang the main sound reinforcement system on the cables,” explained Jin Shaogang.

The main stage itself spanned an impressive 126 metres, nearly the entire width of the Bird’s Nest. The revolutionary setup leveraged d&b’s SL-Series technology with full-range directivity control and cardioid SL-SUB subwoofers that reduced stage noise by 50%; while the overall system design ensured that sound pressure levels (SPL) from the first row to the last differed by no more than 1 dB — a testament to the consistency and clarity of the coverage achieved. ArrayProcessing maintained consistent sound levels throughout the venue, while LoadMatch technology preserved signal integrity across 150m cable runs. “Ensuring the clarity and quality of the sound was crucial,” added Jin.

For Zhang Xiaonian, the event represented the latest evolution in the long-standing use of d&b systems by Nanjing OST. “Since 2009, we’ve been using d&b audiotechnik’s Q and J-Series systems. In 2019, the introduction of the SL-Series and its ArrayProcessing (AP) technology solved many challenges that traditional setups couldn’t address,” he said.

“Whether in the infield or the stands, the system delivers impressive dynamics, high sound pressure levels, and remarkably even sound coverage. Its broadband directivity control eliminates unwanted reflections, keeping the stage sound clean and precise,” continued Zhang.

The SL-Series system also proved its resilience, performing reliably even in adverse weather. For this production, Nanjing OST invested in a fresh batch of SL-Series systems and the latest D90 amplifiers to ensure an exceptional sound experience. “We always choose the best systems available,” affirmed Zhang.

With this landmark project, d&b audiotechnik, in partnership with Nanjing OST and an expert engineering team, has once again demonstrated the transformative possibilities of advanced audio technology in stadium-scale live events.