For decades, compact two-way loudspeakers have been a pillar of professional audio, capable of serving as mains, monitors, side fills, center fills, near fills, front fills and delays. In many cases they can be carried by a single person via convenient handles and quickly ground stacked, flown, or placed on a stand, where they’re capable of handling reinforcement all by themselves or joined by subwoofers in applications requiring additional low-end reinforcement.
Many of the enclosures are trapezoidal in shape, with some able to be put into tightly packed horizontal arrays and others better suited for “exploded” clusters. Still others can be stacked or flown into line and/or column arrays. Several offer a modified cabinet shape that also allows them to be placed on their side and used as floor monitors. And speaking of cabinets, they’re constructed of ABS/polymers/plastics as well as wood.
Increasingly, compact two-way loudspeakers are offered in self-powered versions (usually class D amplification) joined by digital signal processing. Many are also outfitted with facilities for further tailoring output to specific applications. Additional EQ control may be present, while others provide at least rudimentary mixing capability, with level controls, mic/line switches, and EQ on XLR or combo (XLR, 1/4-inch) inputs. More models will accept (Audinate) Dante digital audio input along with analog audio signal.
This genre of loudspeakers has also benefitted from advances in driver technology, signal processing, and amplification. Transducer innovations have in many cases trickled down from touring products. Many have lightweight magnetic structures using neodymium magnets, rugged cone and spider materials, and robust voice coil designs.
High-frequency horns are frequently rotatable and offer improved directivity. Larger format compression drivers deliver greater power handling capacity. Several designs are coaxial, another trend in this genre, along with incorporating 8- or 10-inch woofers as well as the traditional 12- and 15-inch models.
Our tour of recent models that follows is intended, by design, to present the “state of the market” in terms of options. But for each type of model presented here, understand that there are several similar models from the same and other sources, so further homework is strongly recommended.
Spotlight Listing
Adamson CS10P
adamsonsystems.com
A member of the CS-series of intelligent loudspeakers, the CS10p is a two-way, full-range model designed a wide variety of applications. Utilizing Adamson’s proprietary network platform, the CS10p employs a redundant MILAN scheme with the ability to daisy-chain networked audio between multiple sources, an analog XLR input and output, as well as on-board DSP and amplification. All features of the loudspeaker are controlled and monitored through Adamson’s proprietary AI software.
Acoustically, the CS10p contains dual 10-inch Kevlar neodymium transducers and a 3-inch compression driver loaded with either a 70 x 40 or a 100 x 50-degree (H x V) waveguide, each rotatable by 90 degrees. The dipole arrangement of the cabinet results in a stable polar response, meaning the CS10p can be easily paired to increase horizontal coverage and overall output.
The cabinet construction uses marine grade birch plywood as well as aircraft grade steel and aluminum, and is equipped with a male and female XLR connector, two etherCON connections and an in-and through powerCON TRUE1 connection. The rigging system facilitates a wide variety of deployments.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS
CS-series intelligent loudspeakers provide on-board amplification and DSP, plus Milan-certified AVB connectivity, with the same footprint as the popular S-Series. CS Rack products include the Adamson Gateway, Bridge, Network Distribution System, and Power Distribution System. And AI Software upgrades the ability to design, deploy, control, and monitor in both mobile and installation environments.
OF NOTE
CS-Series loudspeakers are available as standalone products or as an upgrade to existing S-Series products. Additional models include the CS7P loudspeaker, CS7, CS10 and CS10n line arrays modules joined by CS118 and CS119 subwoofers.
KEY SPECS
Dispersion: 70 x 40 or 100 x 50 degrees
Components: 2 x 10-inch Kevlar neodymium woofers and a 3-inch compression driver on a rotatable waveguide
Frequency Response: 60 Hz – 18 kHz
Maximum SPL (peak): 139 dB
Power Handling: 2-channel class-D, 2400 watts total output
Connectors: powerCON TRUE1 Network: 2 x etherCON analog, 2 x XLR
Dimensions (h x w x d): 29.3 x 12.9 x 17.5 in
Weight: 66.2 lbs
Standard Listings
1 SOUND Cannon C6
1-sound.com
Dispersion: 85 degrees conical
Components: Coaxial with a 6.5-in (and 5-inch passive radiator) and a 1-in silk dome high-frequency driver
Frequency Response: 60 Hz – 18 kHz
Maximum SPL (peak): 114 dB
Power Handling: Passive, 240 watts (continuous), 120 watts (AES)
Connectors: Dual NL4 (2-circuit switch); install version offers screw terminal block
Positioning/Rigging: Four M6 points; a range of mounting/flying accessories are also available
Dimensions (h x w x d): 8.5 x 8.5 x 8.2 in
Weight: 10.6 lbs
L-Acoustics X Series
l-acoustics.com
Dispersion (h x v): 60 x 90 degrees, ellipsoidal
Components: 3-in neodymium compression driver, 12-in neodymium cone driver
Frequency Response:
59 Hz – 20 kHz
Maximum SPL (peak): 136 dB
Power Handling: Controlled and amplified by LA4X/LA8
Connectors: SpeakON (Both IN and LINK)
Positioning/Rigging: Pole mount, M10 threaded inserts, wide range of mounting accessories available
Dimensions (h x w x d): 19.5 x 16.9 x 14.8 in
Weight: 44.1 lbs
d&b audiotechnik E12
dbaudio.com
Dispersion: 80 or 110 x 50 degrees (h x v), rotatable
Components: 1.3-in neodymium compression driver, 12-in neodymium cone driver
Frequency Response: 50 Hz – 18 kHz
Maximum SPL (peak): 134 dB
Power Handling: 300/1,600 watts (RMS/peak); several d&b amplifiers recommended
Connectors: Dual NLT4; optional 2 x EP5 or 2 x NL4
Positioning/Rigging: Pole mount, M10 threaded inserts, range of accessories
Dimensions (h x w x d): 22.8 x 13.8 x 13.2 in
Weight: 35 lbs
Notes: Amplifiers with DSP provide comprehensive management and more
K-array Domino Series
k-array.com
Dispersion (h x v): 90 x 90 degrees
Components: 3-in compression driver, 2 x 10-in neodymium cones
Frequency Response: 40 Hz – 19 kHz
Maximum SPL (peak): 123 dB
Power Handling: 320 watts (Kommander-KA14, KA24 and KA84 amplifiers recommended)
Connectors: 4-pin Euroblock
Positioning/Rigging: Wall brackets included, wide range of mounting accessories offered
Dimensions (h x w x d): 19.7 x 11.1 x 5.9 in
Weight: 26.5 lbs
Alcons Audio VR12
alconsaudio.com
Dispersion: 90 x 40 degrees, “revolvable”
Components: RBN601 pro-ribbon driver, 12-in cone driver
Frequency Response: 60 Hz — 20 kHz
Maximum SPL (peak): 132 dB
Power Handling: 1,500 watts (peak)
Connectors: Neutrik Speakon
Positioning/Rigging: Flytrack, mounting points, pole-mount, swivel bracket option
Dimensions (h x v x d): 26.5 x 13.8 x 13.6 in
Weight: 39.6 lbs
Notes: Use with company’s ALC amplifier/controllers recommended; 60-degree (h) version also available and it too is revolvable; 7-inch version offered as well
JBL Professional PRX912
jblpro.com
Dispersion (h x v): 90 x 50 degrees
Components: 12-in ferrite woofer and JBL 2408H-2 1.5-in compression driver on a JBL image
control waveguide
Frequency Response: 50 Hz — 20 kHz (-10 dB)
Maximum SPL (peak): 132 dB
Power Handling: Powered (class D); 2000 watts peak, 1000 watts RMS
Connectors: 2 combo inputs, 3.5 mm stereo jack, 2 XLR through out and mix out
Positioning/Rigging: 6 M10 suspension points and pole mount
Dimensions (h x w x d): 25 x 15.5 x 13.1 in
Weight: 43 lbs
Notes: 8- and 15-in versions also available; optimized presets for pairing with subwoofers; G-Sensor Automatic Position Detect optimizes tuning based on main or monitor orientation
Martin Audio CDD-LIVE 12
martin-audio.com
Dispersion (h x v): 60 x 60 degrees mid-field, 110 degrees horizontal near-field
Components: 1.7-in polyimide dome compression driver (coaxial design),
12-in cone driver
Frequency Response: 62 Hz — 20 kHz
Maximum SPL (peak): 128 dB
Amplification: Onboard, 1,250 watts
(continuous), biamped
Connectors: XLR input and output; dual Dante-enabled Neutrik Ethercon
Positioning/Rigging: Suspension points; pole-mount
Dimensions (h x w x d): 22.8 x 14.1 x 14.7 in
Weight: 61.6 lbs
Notes: 8 and 15-in versions available plus single and dual 18-in subs
RCF ART 9 Series
rcf.it
Model: ART 932-A
Dispersion
(h x v): 100 x 90 degrees
Components: 3-in neodymium compression driver, 12-in (2.5-in voice coil) cone driver
Frequency Response: 50 Hz – 20 kHz
Maximum SPL (peak): 132 dB
Power Handling: 2100-watt (peak) onboard class D amplifier
Connectors: XLR and TRS in, XLR out
Positioning/Rigging: 1 x M10 top, 1 x M10 each side; pole mount
Dimensions (h x w x d): 25.3 x 14.6 x 14.3 in
Weight: 41.4 lbs
Note: The six models in the series range from 10- to 15-inch woofers
QSC K.2 Series
qsc.com
Dispersion: 75 degrees
axisymetric
Components: 1.4-in titanium compression driver, 12-in cone driver
Frequency Response:
45 Hz – 20 kHz
Maximum SPL (peak): 132 dB
Power Handling: Onboard amplifier provides 1,800 watts LF, 225 watts HF (both peak)
Connectors: Dual XLR-1/4-in combo (mic/line input and hi-z/line input), 3.5 mm TRS (stereo input), dual XLR/M (loop-thru output), and XLR/M (mix output)
Positioning/Rigging: Dual 2 M10 threaded inserts plus pull-back, 2-position pole mount
Dimensions (h x w x d): 23.7 x 14 x 13.8 in
Weight: 39 lbs
Renkus-Heinz CX121
renkus-heinz.com
Dispersion (h x v): 90 x 40 degrees
Components: 2-in titanium compression driver on a proprietary Complex Conic waveguide (rotatable), 12-inch heavy duty cone drivers
Frequency Response: 60 Hz – 20 kHz
Maximum SPL (peak): 128 dB
Amplification: Passive — 350 watts AES at 8 ohms; Bi-amp — 350 watts AES at 8 ohms (LF) & 60 watts AES at 8 ohms (HF)
Connectors: Looping 4-pin Neutrik Speakon style connectors & screw terminals
Positioning/Rigging: 12-point universal mounting hardware (metric M10 threads), M10 U-bracket attachment points
Dimensions (h x w x d): 27 x 14.4 x 14.3 in
Weight: 45 lbs
Notes: Incorporates proprietary Complex Conic waveguide; several additional models available; CA Series models come with SA series power amplifiers providing optional RHAON network control, Dante, and fiber optic inputs
