Las Vegas Sphere Gains Approval To Crank Up Outdoor Audio

Operators of the Las Vegas Sphere can pump up the volume outside the venue. The Paradise Town Advisory Board voted on Tuesday to allow the Sphere to exceed Clark County noise limitations.

Sphere’s iconic Exosphere is linked to an audio system which allows the venue to sync music with the imagery displayed on the outside of the venue. The win will enable venue operators Sphere Entertainment to exceed maximum standard levels for outdoor noise until midnight 18 times throughout the year.

Local residents objected to Sphere’s request to crank up the volume. MSGE executive vice president Richard Constable responded to the board voicing some of those concerns by listing concessions the company was willing to make according to a Las Vegas Review-Journal report. Capping the noise at 87 decibels, the midnight stop time and the frequency of 18 days a year besides New Year’s Eve were among them.

Sphere creator James Dolan mentioned his plan for audio during an investors call in May. “We think there’s more to do with the Exosphere. We think that we’ll be able this year, probably this summer, to be able to add an audio component that goes along with the Exosphere which will make, of course, the medium even more attractive. So we’re still pretty bullish on the Exosphere,” Dolan said as per the CBS affiliate in Las Vegas.

The vote turned out 3 – 1 in Sphere’s favor. The final decision on the matter will be made by the Clark County Planning Commission. A meeting where the issue will be heard is scheduled for September 4.