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Real World Gear: Compact Line Arrays

A smaller footprint, less weight, added flexibility, quality sound and lots of volume at an attractive price point and return on investment. What’s not to like?
ProSoundWeb

Popular convention says that bigger is better, but for many gigs, compact line arrays are actually a more suitable fit. A smaller system offers many advantages, including reduced effect on sightlines, reduced weight on rigging points, and a reduced impact on budgets, all while still delivering quality sound reinforcement. In addition, lesser-scaled systems take up less room in the shop and less room on the truck.

Further, smaller array modules can accommodate larger splay angles between modules while maintaining minimal displacement between speaker drivers. This can be handy when dealing with smaller rooms where array placement options are limited.

We’ve defined compact line arrays as those having low-frequency drivers measuring 8 inches or smaller. They present a scalable solution – a single array will provide main coverage to a relatively large space, and the addition of more loudspeakers easily expands coverage capabilities. For dynamic full-range music presentation, arrays are usually accompanied by at least one subwoofer, some of them designed to fit seamlessly within a flown array structure.

While larger rigs certainly deliver the horsepower for bigger shows, they don’t scale down as well. Many manufacturers offer line array modules of various sizes that work together seamlessly. In addition, some sound companies use smaller systems as front fills, down fills, and delays in conjunction with larger main arrays.

Flexibility with rigging continues to evolve, providing added array structure options. Compact systems also present a popular approach of ground-stacking as mains capable of satisfying the requirements of certain applications without the need for rigging infrastructure. Some of the models in our roundup are also designed so that cabinets can be stand- and pole-mounted, joined by ground-based subwoofers.

Many compact arrays are available with dedicated amplification and sophisticated DSP packages, either onboard or separately rack-mounted. Others are designed to work with a range of amplification and processing devices, and some companies offer a choice of either approach. A number of models are now equipped with proprietary and/or Dante networking capability.

With advances in technology and components, many recent compact line arrays can offer the same – or almost the same – acoustical output as their bigger brothers. A smaller footprint, less weight, added flexibility, quality sound and lots of volume at an attractive price point and return on investment. What’s not to like? Enjoy this look at the latest compact line arrays.


ENHANCED LISTING

Adamson Systems Engineering IS7
adamsonsystems.com

The IS7 is a 2-way line array suited to a wide variety of applications, with full-range capability (80 Hz) at reasonable levels qualifies for applications where no extensive sub energy is required. Increased vertical coverage (12.5 degrees) enables the IS7 to deliver coverage in small to mid-size venues with exceptional quality.

Each cabinet incorporates dual ND7-LM8 low-mid cone drivers joined by an NH3-16 1.4-inch-exit compression driver. The critically optimized waveguide produces a slightly curved wavefront with a nominal dispersion pattern of 100 x 12.5 degrees (H x V). The waveguide’s efficiency allows for increased vertical dispersion without sacrificing high frequency presence in the far field. Patent-pending Controlled Summation Technology further eliminates low-mid lobing normally associated with 2-way line source systems.

The cabinet construction uses marine grade birch plywood as well as aircraft grade aluminum and steel, and is equipped with two Speakon NL4 connectors, or barrier strips available upon request. A plate and screw rigging system is recessed in the interior of the rear rigging fins for easy assembly.

TECHNOLOGY FOCUS: A new update to the company’s suite of design tools includes new Autodesk Revit and SketchUp libraries for the IS-Series as well as updated EASE and CAD files for the entire loudspeaker line. The design tools are available now for download at the company website.

OF NOTE: Just-announced IS-Series Weatherized installation loudspeaker models are designed to achieve an IP55 rating without sacrificing performance or aesthetics. All structural steel elements of the cabinets are made of a high-yield-strength stainless alloy intended to provide 100 percent corrosion resistance. They also have an interior and exterior coating with a smooth finish that provides a water-resistant seal and allows for easier cleaning and removal of dirt, grime, salt water and sand.

KEY SPECS
Configuration: 2-way
LF: 2 x ND7-LM8 (7-inch) cone drivers
HF: 1 x NH3-16 (3-inch diaphragm) compression driver on an optimized waveguide
Frequency Response: 80 Hz – 18 kHz
Dispersion: 100 (h) x 12.5 (v) degrees
Rigging: Nine rigging positions available allowing vertical inter-cabinet splay angles from 0 to 10 degrees.
Power: Designed for use with Lab Gruppen D-Series amplifiers, Lake processing
Weight: 30.9 pounds
Size: 9.3 (h) x 20.7 (w) x 15.8 (d) inches


RCF HDL 6-A
rcf.it

Configuration: 2-way
LF: 2 x 6-inch neodymium cone drivers
HF: 1 x 7-inch voice coil titanium compression driver on custom time-coherent waveguide
Frequency Response: 65 Hz – 20 kHz
Dispersion: 100 (h) x 10 (v) degrees
Rigging: Adjustable in numerous increments
Power: Self-powered (bi-amp, class D), rated at 1,400 watts peak, proprietary FiRPHASE DSP
Weight: 25.6 pounds
Size: 9.3 (h) x 14.8 (w) x 18.5 (d) inches

L-Acoustics Kara II
l-acoustics.com

Configuration: 2-way
LF: 2 x 8-inch neodymium weather-resistant cone drivers
HF: 1 x 3-inch neodymium diaphragm compression driver
Usable Bandwidth: 55 Hz – 20 kHz
Maximum SPL: 142 dB (Kara II 70)
Rigging: Angle increments 0, 1, 2, 3, 5, 7.5, and 10 degrees
Power: L-Acoustics LA4/LA8/LA12X amplified controllers
Weight: 57 pounds
Size: 9.9 (h) x 28.9 (w) x 19 (d) inches

d&b audiotechnik Y8
dbaudio.com

Configuration: 2-way
LF: 2 x 8-inch cones neodymium cone drivers in dipole arrangment
HF: 1 x 1.4-inch-exit compression driver on proprietary wave transformer
Frequency Response: 54 Hz – 19 kHz
Dispersion: 80 degrees (h), vertical is array dependant
Rigging: 0 to 14 degrees in 1-degree increments
Power: d&b amplification (D6, D12, D20, D80, 10D, 30D)
Weight: 44 pounds
Size: 10 (h) x 24.8 (w) x 14.8 (d) inches

Electro-Voice XLD281
electrovoice.com

Configuration: 3-way
LF: 1 x 8-inch neodymium cone (EV DVN2080)
MF: 1 x 8-inch neodymium cone (EV DVN2080)
HF: 2 x 2-inch voice coil neodymium drivers (EV ND2S-8)
Frequency Response: 60 Hz – 20 kHz
Dispersion: 120 x 10 degrees (90 degrees horizontal available – XLD291)
Rigging: 1-degree increments
Power: Biamp and triamp modes (200/200/80 watts)
Weight: 48 pounds
Size: 9.9 (h) x 28.6 (w) x 14.5 (d) inches

VUE Audiotechnik al-4
vueaudio.com

Configuration: 2-way
LF: 2 x 4-inch Kevlar neodymium cone drivers
HF: 1 x 1-inch beryllium diaphragm compression driver
Frequency Response: 100 Hz – 18 kHz
Dispersion: 90 (h) x 10 (v) degrees
Rigging Angles: 0, 2.5, 5 and 7.5 degrees between array elements
Power: V4 Systems Engine (power, DSP, networking)
Weight: 19 pounds
Size: 10.3 (h) x 19.9 (w) x 5.5 (d) inches

CODA Audio N-RAY
codaaudio.com

Configuration: 2-way
LF/MF: 2 x 6.5-inch neodymium cone drivers
HF: 6-inch DDP proprietary driver (Mid: 3.5-inch voice coil, High: 1.75-inch voice coil)
Frequency Response: 60 Hz – 22 kHz
Dispersion: Variable horizontal coverage of 90, 120 or asymmetric 105 degrees, variable vertical curving
Rigging: Integrated 3-point captive system
Power: Driven with companion LINUS amplifier/controllers
Weight: 33 pounds
Size: 7.6 (h) x 20.4 (w) x 15.3 (d) inches

dBTechnologies VIO L208
dbtechnologies.com

Configuration: 2-way
LF: 2 x 8-inch cones neodymium cone drivers
HF: 1 x 1.4-inch-exit compression driver on rotatable waveguide
Frequency Response: 85 Hz – 18.1 kHz (+/- 3 dB)
Dispersion: 105 (h); vertical is array dependant (v) degrees
Rigging: 0 to 15 degrees in 1-degree increments
Power: Self-powered (Digipro G3 class D) rated at 1,800 watts peak, and DSP
Weight: 39.9 pounds
Size: 10.2 (h) x 26 (w) x 15.3 (d) inches

Alcons Audio LR14
alconsaudio.com

Configuration: 2-way
LF: 2 x 6.5-inch neodymium cone drivers
HF: 1 x RBN401 4-inch pro-ribbon driver on a proprietary “Morpher” lens
Frequency Response: 74 Hz – 20 kHz
Dispersion: 120 or 90 (h), vertical is array dependant
Rigging: 0 to 15 degrees in 1-degree steps
Power: Alcons ALC amplifier/controller recommended
Weight: 33.1 pounds
Size: 6.7 (h) x 22.6 (w) x 12.6 (d) inches

QSC WideLine-8 WL3082
qsc.com

Configuration: 3-way
LF/MF: Dual 8-inch neodymium cone drivers
HF: 1.4-inch-exit neodymium compression driver
Frequency Response: 68 Hz – 18 kHz
Dispersion: 140 x 10 degrees
Rigging: Adjustable in 1-degree increments from 0 – 10 degrees
Power: Tri-amped; LF –250 watts, MF – 250 watts, HF – 85 watts
Weight: 38 pounds
Size: 9 (h) x 20 (w) x 15 (d) inches

Clair Brothers C8-M
clairbrothers.com

Configuration: 3-way
LF: 2 x 8-inch cone drivers
MF/HF: 1 x 3.5-inch (voice coil), 1 x 1.75-inch (voice coil) concentric compression driver
Frequency response: 60 Hz – 20 kHz
Dispersion (h x v): 120 x 10 degrees, additional horizontal options
Power: Bi-amplified with passive mid/high
Rigging: Integral rigging hardware with adjustable splay angles
Size: 9.2 (h) x 28.9 (w) x 23.9 (d) inches
Weight: 62 pounds

DAS Audio EVENT-26A
dasaudio.com

Configuration: 2-way
LF: 2 x DAS 6.5-inch neodymium cone drivers
HF: 1 x DAS 1.75-inch neodymium driver
Frequency Response: 76 Hz – 19 kHz
Dispersion: 100 degrees nominal, vertical is array dependant
Rigging Angles: Proprietary FSS (Fast Set Splay) rigging system adjustable in 1-degree steps from 0 to 10 degrees
Power: Self-powered, 2-channel class D amplifier; DSP
Weight: 36.4 pounds
Size: 8.9 (h) x 18.9 (w) x 19.1 (d) inches

NEXO GEO M6 Series
yamahaca.com

Configuration: 2-way
LF/MF: 1 x 6.5-inch cone driver
HF: 1 x 1-inch-throat driver on optimized HR Wavesource
Frequency Response: 80 Hz – 19 kHz
Dispersion: 80 or 120 (h) x 20 (v) degrees (0- to 20-degree splay when arrayed)
Rigging: Proprietary NEXOSkeleton rigging system; can also be ground-stacked as well as pole- and wall-mounted
Power: NEXO NXAMP amplifier/controller recommended
Weight: 21.4 pounds
Size: 7.4 (h) x 14.6 (w) x 10.2 (d) inches

Martin Audio Wavefront Precision WPM
martin-audio.com

Configuration: 2-way
LF: 2 x 6.5-inch neodymium cone drivers
HF: 3 x 1.4-inch neodymium compression drivers on constant-directivity waveguide
Frequency Response: 76 Hz – 18 kHz
(+/- 3 dB)
Dispersion: 100/125 (h at – 6/-10 dB) x 10 (v) degrees
Rigging: Integral 3-point rigging system
Power: iKON multichannel class D amplifiers w/DSP, can be driven in blocks of 1, 2, 3 or 4 resolution configuration
Weight: 30.9 pounds
Size: 7.3 (h) x 19.7 (w) x 14.8 (d) inches

Renkus-Heinz IC² (IC Squared)
renkus-heinz.com

Configuration: 2-way
LF: 4 x 8-inch neodymium cone
drivers
HF: 4 x 1-inch compression drivers
Frequency Response: 60 Hz – 20 kHz
Dispersion: 120 or 90 (h) degrees;
adjustable vertical from 10 to 80
degrees per beam
Rigging Angles: Digitally steerable;
adjustable from -30 to +30 degrees
Power: Self-powered
(class D, 8 channels), multi-channel
DSP
Weight: 75 pounds
Size: 18.5 (h) x 28.5 (w) x 11.5 (d) inches

K-array Mugello-KH2
k-array.com

Type: 2-way
LF: 2 x 8-inch (2.5-inch voice coil)
neodymium cone drivers
HF: 2 x 1.4-inch (2.5-inch voice coil)
compression drivers
Frequency Response: 70 Hz – 19 kHz
Dispersion: 110 (h) x 20 (v) degrees
(preset dependent)
Rigging: Adjustable
Power: Self-powered (class D, 750 + 250 watts); DSP onboard
Weight: 63.9 pounds
Size: 11.2 (h) x 33 (w) x 8.3 (d) inches

FBT Mitus 206LA
fbt.it

Configuration: 2-way
LF: 2 x 6.5-inch neodymium
cone drivers
HF: 1 x 1.4-inch neodymium
compression driver on a waveguide
Frequency Response: 68 Hz – 20 kHz
Dispersion: 100 (h) x 10 (v) degrees
Rigging: Adjustable in 2-degree
increments from 0 to 10
degrees
Power: Self-powered (class D),
LF – 600 watts, HF – 300 watts;
DSP
Weight: 30.8 pounds
Size: 7.5 (h) x 22.6 (w) x 15 (d) inches

TW AUDiO ELLA6
twaudio.de

Configuration: 2-way
LF: 1 x 6.5-inch cone driver (compression chamber phase plug is positioned in front of the driver chassis)
HF: 5 x 1-inch silk dome tweeters on a coaxially mounted HF waveguide
Frequency Response: 90 Hz – 20 kHz
Dispersion: 120 (h) x 10 (v) degrees
Rigging: Fully integrated and recessed rigging system
Power: Operation with dedicated TW AUDiO presets on Powersoft and Lab Gruppen amplifiers
Weight: 12 pounds
Size: 7.9 (h) x 7.9 (w) x 10.2 (d) inches

Void Acoustics Arcline 6
voidacoustics.com

Configuration: 2-way
LF: 4 x 6.5-inch neodymium
cones
HF: 3 x 1-inch neodymium
compression drivers
Frequency Response: 60 Hz – 20 kHz
Dispersion: 120 (h) x 12 (v) degrees
Rigging Angles: 2-degree
adjustments from 0- to 10 degrees
Power: 800 watts (RMS)
Weight: 62 pounds
Size: 15.6 (h) x 21.2 (w) x 14 (d)
inches

Verity Audio IWAC208
verityaudio.fr

Configuration: 2-way
LF: 2 x 8-inch cone drivers
HF: 2 x 1.7-inch compression drivers
on proprietary waveguide/expanded horn
Frequency Response: 95 Hz – 19.5 kHz
Dispersion (h x v): 90 degrees x 8 degrees
Rigging: Adjustable 0 to 6 degrees in 1-degree increments
Power: Verity V4.25 amplification/DSP package provided in rack that
can be ground-based or flown with arrays
Weight: 52.9 pounds
Size: 10.6 (h) x 26.9 (w) x 14.4 (d) inches

Meyer Sound LINA
meyersound.com

Congifuration: 2-way
LF/MF: 2 x 6.5-inch cone drivers
HF: 1 x 3-inch compression
driver coupled to a constant-directivity horn through a patented REM
manifold
Frequency Response: 65 Hz – 18 kHz
Dispersion: 100 (h) x 11 (v) degrees
Rigging: End frames with four captive GuideALinks, secured with quick-release pins
Power: Self-powered 3-channel class D amplifier; DSP
Weight: 43 pounds
Size: 8.4 (h) x 20.3 (w) x 15.3 (d) inches

Ramsdell Pro Audio LA-10-2
ramsdellproaudio.com

Configuration: 2-way
LF/MF: 1 x 10-inch cone driver in vented chamber
HF: 1 x 1-inch (1.75-inch voice coil) neodymium compression driver
Frequency Response: 65 Hz – 18 kHz
Dispersion: 60, 90 or 120 (h) x 10 (v) degrees
Rigging: Integral captive rigging system adjustable in 2-degree increments from 0 to 10 degrees
Power: Active and passive versions available; optional biamp; rated at 500 watts (program)
Weight: 29 pounds
Size: 12 (h) x 21.7 (w) x 15.9 (d) inches

Fulcrum Acoustic FL283T
fulcrum-acoustic.com

Configuration: 2-way
LF: 2 x 8-inch ceramic horn-loaded cone drivers
HF: 3 x 1.4-inch neodymium drivers
Frequency Response: 54 Hz – 18.6 kHz
Dispersion: 90 (h), vertical is array dependant
Rigging: 4 to 20 degrees in 2-degree increments; 0- and 2-degree splays with optional rear link bar
Power: Each module is configured for full-range passive operation at 16 ohms, allowing up to eight units to be driven from a single amp channel.
Weight: 57 pounds
Size: 14.3 (h) x 24.6 (w) x 19.3 (d) inches

JBL Professional VTX A8
jblpro.com

Configuration: 3-way
LF: 2 x 8-inch Differential Drive neodymium cone drivers
MF: 4 x 3.5-inch neodymium midrange drivers
HF: 2 x 2-inch neodymium compression drivers
Frequency Response: 50 Hz – 19 kHz
Dispersion: 110 degrees (h), vertical is array dependant
Rigging: Selectable splay increments between 0.25, 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3, 4, 6, 8, and 10 degrees
Power: Crown Audio I-Tech HD (all models) & I-Tech 4x3500HD
Weight: 65 pounds
Size: 11 (h) x 31 (w) x 22.1 (d) inches

Bose ShowMatch DeltaQ
pro.bose.com

Configuration: 2-way
Dispersion (h x v): 100 or 70 degrees (changeable) x choice of 5, 10, or 20 degrees
LF: 2 x 8-inch cone drivers
HF: 4 x EMB2S compression drivers
Frequency Response: 69 Hz – 17 kHz
Power: HF: 100 watts continuous, 400 watts peak; LF: 450 watts continuous, 1,800 watts peak
Rigging: 3-point “quick pin” system,
support for up to 24 modules
Weight: N/A
Size (h x w x d): 11.1 (h) x 31.2 (w) x 18.3 (d) inches

Turbosound Flashline TFS-550H
turbosound.com

Configuration: 3-way
LF: 2 x 6.5-inch neodymium cone drivers
MF: 1 x 4-inch neodymium cone driver
HF: 1 x 1-inch compression driver
Frequency Response: 80 Hz – 20 kHz
Dispersion: 110 (h) x 8 (v) degrees
Rigging: 0 to 12 degrees in 1-degree increments
Power: 10000DP amplification
recommended (DSP, networking); LF: 400 watts peak, MF/HF: 240 watts peak
Weight: 29.5 pounds
Size: 7.6 (h) x 21.7 (w) x 15.6 (d) inches

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