Options, options and more options. A mantra that often seems advantageous can stifle or limit most decision making. In psychology, many researchers call this decision fatigue: overwhelmed with so many choices, humans often waste valuable mental energy sifting through a universe of options. Rather than four brands of cereal to choose from, we now have dozens. Rather than a few shirts to wear at school, our closet is spilling over with racks and boxes galore.
The same premise can be reversed in another sense. Faced with overwhelming choice, humans will simply revert to the thing most commonly known in their memory, something that occupies a space of familiarity. While this may be a fine solution, we often miss out on honing in on application-specific solutions that we perhaps never considered. And guess what, this happens in the tech world far more often than we think.When considering options for loudspeakers, it’s safe to say many of us will launch into the latest rock-star system seen at a concert, the one most talked about in our tech circles.
Often forgotten amongst the hype is the fact that manufacturers—many whom have done so for numerous years—design loudspeaker models specifically for permanent installations.
Although there are many fine loudspeaker solutions available, the house of worship market presents a unique application sector: installation-specific loudspeakers.Often forgotten amongst the hype is the fact that manufacturers—many whom have done so for numerous years—design loudspeaker models specifically for permanent installations. Yes, there remains plenty of crossover within clubs, churches, theaters, and other venues using systems suitable both in the touring and install environments. However, these install-specific products have been tailored to meet the vast set of coverage, architectural, and aesthetic situations that arise. Here, CPM looks at recent install loudspeaker offerings; speakers which meet a variety of application needs, at various budget levels and from a wide array of manufacturers on the market.
A note regarding our product and manufacturer selections: Not all manufacturers have released new loudspeakers in this specific category in the past year.
We chose the most recent product offering that would be suitable. There is expected crossover within various products, ones which might not necessarily be used solely in a permanent installation. The goal is to dig a bit deeper into the loudspeaker realm, showcasing products that are worth consideration when it comes to install applications.
Building on their S-Series mid-size touring system, Adamson has released its new IS Series. The company says the new system is packed with the power and performance of a full touring-level rig but with aesthetic, design, and rigging modifications which allow for better integration into install environments. The IS10 contains two 10-inch low mid drivers with a 1.5-inch exit compression driver while the IS7 contains two 7-inch low mid drivers with a 1.4-inch exit compression driver. With wide horizontal and 12.5- and 10-degree vertical coverage respectively, the IS Series cabinets meet broad coverage with reasonable speaker quantity. The company says its patent pending Controlled Summation Technology further eliminates low-mid lobing associated with two-way array systems. The IS Series is supported with the IS119 andIS118 sub cabinets.
For more traditional worship spaces–think cathedrals and historical designs with little to no carpeting or acoustic treatment—the need for controlling audio from reflective surfaces becomes crucial. Bose has expanded its line of modular column arrays with the new Panaray MSA12X; a self-powered electronically-steerable loudspeaker. Featuring 12 full-range, 2.25-inch transducers, users have independent level and EQ control over each beam along with several built in shape algorithms. Each module provides 160-degrees of horizontal coverage along with Dante networked audio and traditional line-level analog connectivity.
While the name Clair has long been synonymous with some of the biggest tours across the globe, they also provide a full line of custom install-specific loudspeaker solutions. The new C8, and larger C12, three-way line array features two eight-inch low frequency drivers, a 3.5-inch mid driver, and a 1.4-inch high frequency compression driver. While the standard cabinet comes with 120-degree horizontal and 10-degree vertical dispersion, the C8 can be fitted with horizontal waveguides ranging from 50-degrees to 140-degrees, available in 10-degree increments, tailoring each cabinet and array to the exact specifications needed for coverage.
The new compact models added to Community’s I Series speakers provide a high output, low profile solution for installation environments. The IC6 2082 two-way loudspeakers features dual eight-inch low frequency elements along with a 1.7-inch high frequency driver. Designed as a companion to the company’s I Series Point Source loudspeakers, this model can be use to supplement near field and delay coverage in large venues or as standalone mains in smaller environments. The speakers feature efficient 16-ohm impedance for efficient chaining. Models are also available for use with 70V/100V systems.
With the release of its DVA powered speakers in 2006, dB Technologies sought to provide compact, high performance options to both the touring and installation worlds. Its new DVA K5 builds on past technology while upgrading several elements. The three-way powered loudspeaker features two 1.4-inch compression drivers, a six-inch midrange component and an eight-inch low frequency woofer. With a dual tuning system, internal DSP control can separate the LF and Mid/High elements for more precise coupling, atmospheric, and throw distance control. An internal Class D amplifier provides 500 watts RMS/1000 watts peak power to each box. At only 31 pounds, the small footprint finds itself equally suitable for both mobile and installation applications.
The new 24S installation speaker system from d&b audiotechnik fuses unique technology into a high performance cabinet. The two-way, passive point source loudspeaker features dual 12-inch drivers in a bass reflex design with a 1.4-inch compression driver mounted on a rotatable horn allowing for vertical or horizontal orientation. d&b says the dipole woofer arrangement and large cabinet volume allows for greater directivity control and extended low-frequency output as a standalone system. The series also features optional subwoofer options for further low frequency extension, multiple rigging options and cabinet colors for aesthetic customization.
EAW’s new Radius Series was designed to offer the newest powered loudspeaker technology and features in a package that is approachable and accessible in both deployment and optimization. The RSX 208L is a three-way line array cabinet featuring an eight-inch low frequency driver, eight-inch low/mid driver, and 1.4-inch compression driver. The onboard amplifier provides 500 watts over three channels. With analog and Dante digital networking, EAW has integrated analog redundancy should a network connection be lost. The EAWmosaic app allows users to monitor individual cabinet performance, DSP, array optimization and SPL modeling among others. The Radius Series features a full suite of point source, subwoofer, and stage monitor options.
Fulcrum Acoustic has made a name for itself by integrating coaxial designs into its loudspeakers. While other manufacturers have such designs sprinkled throughout the market, Fulcrum has focused much of its attention here and for good reason. Its new CCX 1295 passive loudspeaker packs a 12-inch woofer and three-inch compression driver into a coaxial design which provides nine dB of low frequency attenuation at the rear of the box while directing significant SPL and control from a compact design. The 90X45 degree horn can be rotated in 45-degree increments, tailoring coverage for each environment.
L-Acoustics - Syva Segment Source
Syva is a new format, high power speaker system combining the benefits of L-Acoustics’ heritage line source technology with a plug-and-play approach. Featuring six medium-frequency and three high-frequency speakers in a sleek J-shaped progressive curvature format, Syva’s patent-pending transducer arrangement, called “segment source,” produces an H/V 140° x 26° (+5/-21°) directivity pattern that is optimized for exceptional surface coverage and 115 feet (35m) of throw. Syva can also be accompanied by the Syva Low high power subwoofer or Syva Sub infra extension to achieve a 142dB max SPL.
The Mackie name has been well-versed within churches for years. Its upgraded Thump Series of powered loudspeakers provide attractive options for a variety of mobile and install applications. With a built-in, 1,300-watt (peak) amplifier and newly designed bass response housing, the cabinets have been optimized to handle unexpected transients and will accept wall power from anywhere in the world, thanks to a universal internal power supply. The rear operating panel features intuitive setup, mixing, and application specific speaker modes, perfect for mobile churches, youth rooms, or other situations. A digital companion app provides all features and mixing capabilities via any wireless smartphone or tablet. Dedicated subwoofers and floor monitors also round out the Thump Series.
Adding to its already extensive line of powered speakers, Meyer has unveiled the compact LINA line array loudspeaker. While it can be deployed in an array format, it is equally suitable as a front fill, delay, or stand-alone loudspeaker. Dual 6.5-inch woofers, a three-inch compression driver and newly designed internal venting and baffling has reduced low end distortion and better phase coherence the company says. All on-board signal processing has been modified for higher power efficiency. The compact system can be flown or ground stacked equally the same while being integrated with the 750-LFC subwoofer for low frequency support.
Crossing the boundary between mobile and install applications, Nexo’s new GEO M10 is their latest compact line array element. A unique design aspect, the cabinet is built from an injection-moulded, urethane polymer, cutting down on weight and loose parts inside the box. A single 10-inch woofer and 1.4-inch compression driver feature several newly designed waveguides, phase directivity, and port tube venting. The HF waveguide allows the user to insert magnetic flanges, increasing the horizontal dispersion from 80-degrees to 120-degrees, all without the need for tools or extra parts. Low frequency can be extended with the addition of the MSUB15 in flown or ground-stacked applications.
As the newest addition to its ULT line of powered loudspeakers, the new ULT10 from PreSonus offers variable coverage dispersion without sacrificing any of the power and features of the larger models in the series. The 110-degree horizontal by 50-degree vertical horn allows for broad coverage. The horn can be rotated 90-degrees, allowing the speaker to be mounted horizontally while still maintaining the same coverage. Various line and mic inputs make the ULT10 equally at home in install or mobile applications.
The new ICL-F-DUAL-RN from Renkus-Heinz offers the newest in steerable beam speaker systems. In highly reverberant spaces such as cathedrals, gymnasiums and other non-carpeted venues, speak intelligibility is often lost due to acoustic challenges. Each 6.5-inch woofer and one-inch titanium driver has a dedicated onboard amplifier channel, allowing for precise steering and shading across the entire column. Through the Iconyx software, individual vertical opening angles can be configured, steering sound precisely where it is needed all the way down to 400Hz. With a horizontal coverage of 150-degrees and vertical deployment, the ICL-F-DUAL-RN can be installed or deployed in a mobile format with a minimum footprint but broad coverage.
QSC’s new K2 Series updates their previous K Series of powered loudspeakers. The largest full-range speaker, the K12.2, features a 12-inch woofer alongside a 1.4-inch compression driver. The on-board amplification delivers 2,000-watts (peak) power in a bi-amp configuration. The integrated rear panel DSP has been upgraded with a full suite of performance presets, EQ voicing, and system crossover configurations, among others. This gives users a host of potential uses from mobile set up, single speaker use, or a more extensive system. All K2 Series speakers can be flown, wall or truss-mounted, or placed on a speaker pole.
Although Vue Audiotechnik is relatively new to the loudspeaker world, they have rapidly expanded its product line throughout the install, touring, integrated audio sectors. The new h-208 was designed specifically for low ceiling applications where box size and sight lines are of utmost importance. With dual eight-inch woofers and a 1.4-inch beryllium compression driver, the integrated amplifier channels provide upwards of 1,800-watts of program power. Each box contains digital networking capabilities using standard IP protocols, allowing for easy setup, monitoring, and routing via the company’s SystemVUE software.
