Changi Airport Terminal 3, SINGAPORE

BACKGROUND MUSIC (BGM) SYSTEM, NETWORKED DIGITAL PA SYSTEM

WITH INTELLIGENT ACTIVE LINE ARRAY SPEAKERS

Opened in January 2008 after seven years in development, Changi Airport Terminal 3 is Singapore’s largest terminal, designed to handle up to 22 million passengers annually. With a mix of natural light, vertical gardens, and advanced infrastructure, the terminal was built to support the arrival of Airbus A380 aircraft and elevate the passenger experience with both scale and comfort.

To support this vision, Control Logic Systems (CLS), an independent AV distributor and now a part of the Ideal Systems SEA —appointed as the systems integrator for the voice evacuation/background music (BGM) system—worked alongside NCS Communications Engineering, the project consultant, and TJ Systems, comprising Security Pro-Telco, to deliver a world-class audio environment.

As the Singapore representative for AXYS Intellivox, CLS installed 12 DC500 and 8 DC180 column speakers in the immense departure hall. While some speakers were concealed for aesthetic reasons, this compromised intelligibility in certain areas.

A more conventional 100V line system using approximately 12,000 ceiling speakers, primarily from Merlaud, was deployed across the terminal. Audio distribution relied on Digigram EtherSound, offering low-latency, bi-directional transmission and centralised control via a PC-based touchscreen in Terminal 2. Merlaud amplifiers powered the system, with paging stations located at tour counters.

A separate Emergency Override System was specified and installed by Proaktiv Systems for retail outlets such as Bvlgari, Coach, and Harry’s. The system used EAW Commercial ceiling and surface-mount speakers with Tapco mixers and CXA160 amplifiers.

The EtherSound network not only reduced installation costs and time but also provided scalability, redundancy, and digital control, resulting in a robust, future-ready audio system that ensures both passenger comfort and safety.