RCF has announced the introduction of the ART 9-AX Series of active loudspeakers that incorporate all the electro-acoustic features of the company’s ART 9 Series that are now joined by Bluetooth streaming/pairing capability, remote control, and an onboard 6-channel digital mixer with a large color touchscreen.
The ART 9-AX Series is designed for small to medium live sound applications and can serve as mains, fills and stage monitors. The onboard DSP provides the mixer as well as a 5-band parametric output equalizer, built-in effects, output delay for alignment, complex routing options, an internal crossover for use with subwoofers, and wireless pairing between loudspeakers that offers operating modes: alone or connected with other loudspeakers and/or subwoofers, combining wired and wireless links.
All functions and settings are accessible from the rear panel via the capacitive 2.4-inch color touch screen with a rotary/push encoder or with RCF’s LiveRemote app that’s available for iOS and Android devices. The internal mixer can be used in two modes: Easy Mode for quick configuration or Advanced Mode for professional tuning and signal routing. LiveRemote provides control of the internal ART 9-AX engine for recalling/saving presets, setting the desired volume levels, and adjusting EQ, compressors, and effects.
The rear input panel is equipped with XLR/TRS combo connectors with 48-volt powered mic preamps, incorporating high-quality THAT® Corporation chips. A stereo minijack line input and two-channel Bluetooth streaming input are also available. The two-channel class-D amplifier, stated to deliver up to 2,100 watts, is mounted to a die-casted aluminum heat exchanger at the rear of the unit, avoids the need for fans or additional moving parts.
Newly improved 1.75-inch RCF compression drivers with Polyimide-Kapton dome and reinforcement ribs is stated to make the transducers 10 times stronger than in previous models. Meanwhile, the new True Resistive Waveguide (TRW) is the result of several refinements in both the transducers and vented port design with Finite Element Analysis and constant measurement in RCF anechoic chambers.
Acoustically, the TRW waveguide mimics a resonance-free pure resistive load, reducing the classic horn’s high-frequency distortion. With its vertically asymmetrical sound shaping, the coverage angle of the waveguide provides constant directivity to the entire listening area with improved stereo imaging.
RCF-designed woofers for the low-frequency band gain more stability over high currents with less distortion, with each transducer selected after passing high-power tests with a continuous 200-hour signal to ensure maximum reliability, even in harsh conditions.
These components work in tandem with two RCF-exclusive DSP algorithms, one for phase linearization and crossover design, the other for woofer excursion management. FiRPHASE, an RCF digital technology based on FIR filters, is designed to provide coherent sound emission with a 0 degrees linear phase, adding minimum latencies to the system.
Bass Motion Control, (RCF woofer excursion management) works by creating a complete map of the dynamic behavior of the transducer to generate a custom algorithm that only limits over-excursions. This offers signal reproduction freedom, avoiding high-pass filters and broadband limiters while enhancing sustained reliability. The loudspeaker can play the input signal at all volume levels for the entire audible spectrum and deliver the nuances of the sound with a deep, detailed bass response, even at extreme volumes.
The black cabinet uses a special polypropylene composite material with a new construction concept. The M-brace design reinforces the center of the cabinet connecting the four inner sides with the amplifier to help prevent any deformation for a completely inert body. Acoustic damping is also enhanced, even at high volume levels. The M-brace design also performs as a reinforcement structure for greater resistance to mechanical stress.
Cabinets are outfitted ergonomic handles on both sides and the top. The bottom side includes a steel pole socket for mounting on a stand or subwoofer pole. Each model can also be flown, wall- or truss-mounted using multiple M10 rigging points and special accessories.
Three models are offered: the 15-inch ART 915-AX is the most powerful model with a stated maximum SPL of 131 dB, joined by the 12-inch ART 912-AX and 10-inch ART 910-AX.
Go here for more specifics about the new ART 9-AX Series of active loudspeakers.
