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1. Anchor Audio Bigfoot Line Array & 2. Bose RoomMatch Utility Series
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15. Renkus-Heinz iconyx gen 5 series & 16. TOA hx-7 variable dispersion loudspeaker
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17. Turbosound iconyx gen 5 series & 18. Vue Audiotechnik h-5 LOUDSPEAKER
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19. WorxAudio TRUELINE X5i-P/D & 20. Yamaha DBR SERIES
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7. EAW Redline loudspeakers & 8. Electro-Voice X-Line Advance series
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11. Mackie Reach & 12. Martin Audio control hst series
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13. Meyer Sound leopard line arrays & 14. Nexo / Yamaha id series loudspeakers
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5. d&b audiotechnik Y-Series loudspeakers & 6. D.A.S. Audio Aero 20A compact powered line arrays
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9. JBL Professional control hst series & 10. L-Acoustics X Series coaxial speakers
While it's next to impossible to be all things to all people, loudspeaker manufacturers are striving to be many things—especially when it comes to designing products suitable for house-of-worship applications. The balance that contemporary churches must strike between requiring high output while maintaining speech clarity, their need for achieving particular coverage patterns without destructive side lobes, concerns associated with integrating technology that doesn't compromise aesthetics, and the demand for systems that are easy to install—and, in some cases, that are portable—are all top-of-mind in the latest loudspeaker designs. Over the past few months, CPM surveyed the market and present to you here loudspeakers from several prominent manufacturers that were introduced within the last year.
1. Anchor Audio Bigfoot Line Array
Featuring three rechargeable batteries capable of operating six to eight hours on a single charge, Anchor Audio’s Bigfoot Line Array is a portable sound system delivering 130 dB with a rated power output of 400 watts. Designed to cover large outdoor areas, the system features a UV-resistant enclosure and heavy-duty eight-inch wheels for easy transport. Bigfoot is manufactured in the USA and ships same day. It’s also covered by a six-year warranty.
2. Bose RoomMatch Utility series
The Bose RoomMatch Utility (RMU) RMU206, RMU108, and RMU105 are designed to complement a full-range RoomMatch array installation, or to be used for foreground music, under-balcony, zone-fill, and vocal range floor monitor applications. The RoomMatch Utility Series ranges in size from double eight-inch to single five-inch woofers, and include the same Bose EMB2 compression drivers as RoomMatch full-array modules.
3. Community Professional Loudspeakers I Series
Textured in black or white and featuring wrap-around perforated metal grills with a discreet logo, Community’s I Series is designed with aesthetics in mind. The loudspeakers are equipped with premium high-output woofers, large-format compression drivers, a choice of rotatable horns, and individually voiced, beamwidth-matched crossovers with single or biamp/triamp operation.
4. Cerwin-Vega P-Series loudspeakers
Cerwin-Vega’s P-Series is a portable speaker line combining rugged construction, musical clarity, and high-performance bass performance. The series includes three models: the P1000X and P1500X full-range speakers, and the P1800SX subwoofer. All three models are designed for virtually any application, from live performances, to recorded music as well as public speaking events.
5. d&b audiotechnik Y-Series loudspeakers
d&b’s Y-Series is designed for permanent installation, featuring the Yi7P/Yi10P point source loudspeakers equipped with two eight-inch drivers centered around a 1.4-inch high-frequency compression driver mounted on a rotatable horn. The Yi8/Yi12 line array modules feature two eight-inch dipolar-mounted drivers and a 1.4-inch high frequency driver, combined with a central wave transformer. The arrayable, cardioid Yi-Sub houses two long-excursion neodymium drivers powered by a single amplifier channel.
6. D.A.S. Audio Aero 20A compact powered line arrays
The Aero 20A compact powered line array system joins D.A.S.’s third generation of Aero line arrays. The Aero 20A incorporates a new 12-inch loudspeaker optimized to provide high output and reliability. An aluminum voice coil is bonded to a fiberglass-reinforced cone; other advancements include an optimized magnet circuit and a new suspension design.
7. EAW Redline loudspeakers
Eastern Acoustic Work’s (EAW’s) Redline family of powered loudspeakers includes the RL12 12-inch and RL15 15-inch loudspeakers, as well as the RL18S 18-inch powered subwoofer. The RL12 and RL15 achieve consistent directivity via Beamwidth-Matched crossovers on 90 x 60-degree user-rotatable horns. Three user-defined voicing options allow for a variety of applications without the need for a computer or external processor.
8. Electro-Voice X-Line Advance series
Electro-Voice’s X-Line Advance family of line array loudspeakers covers venues large and small. The X1-212/90 is a compact 12-inch vertical line array designed for small to mid-sized applications, while the X2-212/90 is better suited for large venues and concert/event sound.
9. JBL Professional control hst series
JBL’s indoor/outdoor Control HST wide coverage loudspeaker incorporates the manufacturer’s HST Hemispherical Soundfield Technology, enabling it to achieve almost 180-degree coverage while eliminating the primary wall reflection that can cause inconsistent sound when loudspeakers are mounted to a wall. The wall-facing woofer and two horizontally splayed tweeters are designed to provide proper dispersion of the sound.
10. L-Acoustics X Series coaxial speakers
L-Acoustics’ X Series is a line of coaxial speakers featuring a number of improvements the manufacturer has made, including high-excursion neodymium drivers, ellipsoid directivity, laminar vented ports, up to 30% in weight reduction, and better radiation control and low frequency performance. Used as stage monitors, the X Series offers low latency monitor presets and a lower profile. In installation applications, the X Series comes with a complete range of flexible rigging accessories and an RAL custom color program.
11. Mackie Reach
Mackie is out to create the “ultimate all-in-one professional PA system” with their new Reach system. The built-in six-channel digital mixer can be controlled wirelessly via the Mackie Connect app for iOS and Android device. You can also stream music via Bluetooth to integrate into your live mix. The EarShot personal monitoring system adds to the portable Reach system’s flexibility. Mackie’s 720W, two-way loudpeakers feature advanced ARC (Amplified Radial Curve) array technology is intended to deliver clear, high-fidelity sound and ultra-wide coverage.
12. Martin Audio control hst series
Martin Audio’s CDD installation loudspeaker range features Coaxial Differential Dispersion technology, and was conceived as a one-stop solution: six two-way full-range coaxial systems—from the CDD5 to the CDD15, as well as subwoofers—cover the majority of install applications. According to Martin, Coaxial Differential Dispersion technology delivers more consistent audience coverage than systems with fixed dispersion horns, projecting more output to the rear of the audience to distribute sound evenly from front to back while maintaining wide horizontal coverage close up.
13. Meyer Sound leopard line arrays
Meyer Sound’s Leopard line array loudspeaker can be used as an anchor in a main system in a medium-sized venue, or may be integrated with the manufacturer’s Lyon in down and out-fill systems. Newly designed Class D amplifiers help to eliminate distortion while consuming less power and generating less heat. The system includes Meyer’s QuickFly rigging with captive GuideALinks, which allows for easy setting of splay angles from 0.5 to 15 degrees.
14. Nexo / Yamaha id series loudspeakers
Yamaha’s Nexo ID Series loudspeaker is a compact, low-profile yet high-output single speaker for use under balcony, for front and side fill applications, and as an accompaniment to Nexo line arrays in acoustically challenging spaces. Currently, the series is comprised of the ID24 full-range compact speaker using twin four-inch drivers in combination with an high-frequency (HF) compression driver with two preset directivity options.
15. Renkus-Heinz iconyx gen 5 series
The new Iconyx Gen5 loudspeakers from Renkus-Heinz integrates the power of advanced beam steering algorithms with the intuitive control with the company’s new RHAON II System Designer software. The company says Gen5 incorporates new UniBeam Technology for dramatically more uniform coverage, increased output, and faster setup and deployment.
16. TOA hx-7 variable dispersion loudspeaker
TOA’s HX-7 Variable Dispersion Loudspeaker is compact, yet flexible thanks to its variable configuration, which enables it to go where many fixed configuration loudspeakers can’t. Each of the HX-7’s “cells” contain a speaker compliment of 2 x 5 1/2-inch LF plus a waveguide-loaded one-inch compression driver. Collectively, these cells permit the vertical angle to be adjusted from zero degrees up to 45 degrees (and up to 60 degrees with an optional kit).
17. Turbosound Nu-Q Series
Turbosound’s NuQ Series of powered speakers includes 15, 12, and 10-inch models, as well as 18-inch and 15-inch subwoofers, with power output ranging from 600 to 2,500 watts. Both front-loaded (15-inch) and band pass (18-inch) subwoofers feature 3000W power sections. Each loudspeaker features DSP technology by Klark Teknik, Ultranet networking connectivity via Cat5, PowerCon connectors, and multiple rigging options.
18. Vue Audiotechnik h-5 LOUDSPEAKER
Vue Audiotechnik’s ultra-compact h-5 loudspeaker is designed for applications where space is at a premium, while still offering high output. The h-5 combines two precision-engineered, five-inch low frequency transducers with a one-inch exit compression driver featuring a Truextent beryllium diaphragm at its core. The compression driver is mounted to a new precision horn designed by Mike Adams, and featuring 120 degree by 40 degree (HxV) coverage.
19. WorxAudio TRUELINE X5i-P/D
WorkAudio’s Trueline X5i-P/D is a compact, two-way line array featuring a 160-degree horizontal by 40-degree vertical coverage pattern. The system incorporates five modules in a single enclosure for a total of five one-inch exit compression high-frequency drivers, and 10 eight-inch cone transducers for low-frequency production. The system incorporates PreSonus Active Integration technology as well as PreSonus’s SL-Dante-SPK card.
20. Yamaha DBR SERIES
Yamaha’s DBR Series—which includes the DBR10, DBR12, and DBR15—represents the most portable powered loudspeaker the manufacturer offers. The series features Yamaha’s FIR-X tuning, which uses phase FIR filters for the crossover for more accurate and smooth response. D-Contour dynamic multi-band processing applies optimized settings for either FOH or floor monitoring. Yamaha’s CBR Series includes the same enclosure design as the DBR Series, and comes equipped with one SpeakOn jack and a ¼-inch phone jack for fast, easy connectivity.
