The notion of a “speaker-on-a-stick” is getting to be deeply in- grained these days—we've had them for decades now. The notion of the speaker being the stick is bit more contemporary. Exotic “stick” speakers have been around for about a decade now, and they've been warmly received by performers playing smaller venues, particularly performers who are not technically disposed, and who are inclined to keep setup and operation as simple as possible. Most agree that these DSP-managed line arrays sound good, offer respectable SPL, and simplify life for the performers. Nevertheless, they're intended to be used “one-per-performer” and not under the control of a front-of-house mixer. These are not really products intended to replace a traditional point source or line-array PA system. In consideration of the fact that line- array speakers don't necessarily need to be broad in physical width, Italy's K-Array has developed a true PA system based on the notion of a very narrow “stick” line array. This is a system truly intended to replace at least speaker-on-a-stick systems, if not larger point source systems with numerous cabinets, and even small, inexpensive line arrays. K-Array makes two combo systems available, the KR200S and the KR400S. I spent time with the KR200S—the smaller of the two—and was truly amazed.
There are numerous applications in which an “invisible” PA system is very desirable, and church services strike me as being very high on that list. Nobody wants stacks of speakers or flying arrays with all their attendant hardware obstructing the view of video, musicians, vocalists, and certainly not the pastor. A “speaker-is-the stick” solution is probably the optimal solution, short of actually designing the PA into the worship space (and certainly the optimal solution for portable churches, for whom designing the PA into the space is simply not possible). The K-Array Redline KR200S accomplishes this goal very nicely. The KL18ma subwoofer element is in a box that's only just large enough to contain its 18-inch LF driver—roughly an 18-and-a-half-inch cube elongated to 24 inches deep. The KR200 HF component is just over seven feet tall, and only 5.5cm (about 2-and-a- quarter inches) wide. It would be plausible to conceal these HF drivers among foliage or other aesthetically pleasing materials in a way that they are virtually invisible. The low-riding subwoofer component can similarly be concealed. So great—we can make these speakers disappear, but how do they sound?
The details
The LF driver in the KL18ma is an 18-inch, long-throw driver with a three-inch voice coil; an internal 1,000-watt, Class-D amplifier powers it. Its cabinet is a ported design, with triangular ports that are “fully symmetrical to the speaker,” according to K-Array's information, which makes the back loading on the driver consistent, and helps to eliminate port turbulence. The result is a subwoofer that delivers very solid low end—which makes the “invisibility” of the system all the more incongruent to the brain. Despite the sub's aural solidity, it's shockingly light—about 58 pounds— and it can be literally carried with one hand (although its size and shape make it more easily carried with both hands). A stronger-than-average person can indeed carry a pair of these into a building at once. The system's internal DSP also accounts, to an extent, for the substantial bass that these speakers can deliver.
The KR200 high-frequency component is formed of two halves, each just over three-and-a-half feet in length. The two halves are hinged together in such a way that a “bend” can be placed in the middle of the array with an included lynch pin. They're transported folded in half in hard- side plastic cases lined with foam, like miniature suitcases. Each half contains 16 two-inch drivers, each with a three- quarter inch voice coil. After determining the angle of the “bend” in the stick (usually none at all for most applications), the 18-pound stick is installed into the 35mm receptacle atop the subwoofer, just like any other speaker-on-a-stick would be assembled. The combined surface area of the KR200's 32 two-inch drivers is considerable, and is capable of moving a substantial amount of air (particularly at the higher frequencies the speaker is intended to reproduce). A 1,000-watt, Class-D amplifier contained inside the KL18ma subwoofer drives the HF system. The system's internal DSP determines time and frequency information going to the KR200 as a singular unit, but by virtue of the Speakon connection from the subwoofer, there is no specially timed information being delivered to each driver to accomplish any voodoo-esque line array magic. Sixteen DSP presets are available, each delivering a slightly different spectral curve, ranging from completely flat to attenuated high end, to disco-like loudness compensation. For most churches, I would submit that the 16 presets are probably enough to arrive at a fundamental response curve that sounds good in the space (which can be further sculpted by EQ at front-of-house). The KR200's energy dispersion is 120 degrees in the horizontal plane, and 7 degrees in the vertical plane, facilitating a tremendous amount of control over where the sound goes.
Sound review
So how do they sound? In a word, marvelous. The consistent dispersion of HF energy gives a smooth listening experience (as opposed to a single point source for high end). The stereo image is clear and deep, as well. The lows are full, deep and round, with the KL18ma speakers delivering so much LF energy that presets with attenuated bass may be necessary in some spaces. This system can deliver plenty of SPL—up to 127 dB on a continuous basis, 133 dB peak. K-Array publishes a frequency range of 30 Hz to 19,000 Hz (±3 dB), and based on our evaluation, the specs don't lie. This is a very high performance system with impressive 18- inch subs. The system can be powered by both 115VAC in the United States and 230VAC in Europe.
All the way around, I am very impressed with this system. It truly is a mind-bending experience to hear such solid SPL with such high fidelity coming from a system that's nearly invisible. The K-Array KR200S system is worthy of consideration for both portable and permanently located churches.
