Klein + Hummel, the latest addition to the Sennheiser family of brands, is introducing the O 300 triamplified three-way nearfield studio reference monitor at AES 2006 San Francisco. The O 300 delivers the same stunning quality of the famed O 300 D minus the digital input and control hardware, resulting in a cost-effective price without sonic compromise. As its more fully-featured sibling, the O 300 delivers superlative, uncolored sound, precise bass response, picture-perfect dispersion patterns, and a stunningly real soundstage with remarkable image focus and depth. Its precise and revealing detail enables the mixing engineer to make critical judgments with supreme confidence.

By utilizing a dense, new, extremely low-resonance material called LRIM, Klein + Hummel was able to mold the waveguides required for optimal dispersion directly into the baffle. The elliptical shape of the high-frequency horn makes the dispersion angle in the vertical plane more narrow thus reducing the amount of early reflections off the console surface which would otherwise interfere with the direct sound from the speakers (comb-filter effects), thereby improving spatial definition. At the same time, the effective horizontal listening area is made wider, giving the recording engineer greater freedom of movement in front of the console. The use of LRIM has also made it possible to align the acoustic centers of the two drivers exactly on one plane, parallel to the baffle, thereby preventing time and phase coherency problems at the crossover frequencies. This allows the individual drivers to work together perfectly to produce a precisely detailed soundstage.

The unit’s eight-inch cone woofer is made of a special lightweight polypropylene material that has excellent self-damping properties. Its long-excursion voice coil enables this driver to produce very low frequencies at high sound pressure levels with practically no distortion. In contrast to common bass-reflex systems, which tend to blur the low end, the acoustic suspension system of the O 300 delivers tight, articulate bass, which is strikingly clear, detailed, and natural, particularly in transients.

The midrange is handled by a treated fabric dome with a three-inch voice coil. Since its mass is much lower than that of cone drivers, it has the advantage of being able to achieve superior impulse response and extremely uniform amplitude response. As a result, midrange reproduction is impressively true-to-life, especially with the human voice.

The one-inch high-frequency driver is equipped with a titanium/fabric dome that combines the transparency of a titanium dome with the low distortion of a fabric dome. This driver has been finely matched to its elliptical waveguide, ensuring exceptional directivity.

All three drivers are magnetically shielded, permitting placement of the speakers directly next to video monitors or computers. O 300 is available in anthracite finish as standard; optional silver, white and custom colors are also available.

For more information, visit their web site at www.klein-hummel.com.

Posted in Monitoring, Speakers

Las Vegas Pro Audio, the U.S. sales office of ATC (Acoustic Transducer Company – UK) is introducing the new ATC passive SCM20SL loudspeakers at AES 2006 San Francisco (Demo Room #270). This offering represents ATC’s first venture into the U.S. pro market with a passive monitor. Maintaining the strict performance criteria of ATC reference monitors, the SCM 20SL offers project and home studios the dynamic range and pristine imaging ATC is known for worldwide.

The ATC “Passive 20″ features the same woofer and tweeter as the active (SCM20ASL) version of the speaker. The SCM20SL passives are housed in a conventional “pro-black” box for easy placement on any meter bridge. ATC recommends amplifiers with at least 200W per channel of power. The Passive 20 loudspeaker enables ATC speaker fans to own a high performance monitor at half the price of the actives.

The SCM20SL Passive low-frequency section is a hybrid design incorporating a 150mm bass cone with a grafted 75mm soft dome for mid-range assist. The woofer magnet assembly utilizes ATC’s unique “SL” technology to greatly reduce third harmonic distortion and reveal mistakes and details. All ATC drivers are manufactured in-house to exacting tolerances. Situated in Aston Down in rural Gloucestershire, England, ATC was established in London in 1974 by acoustics engineer and musician Bill Woodman.

MSRP: $3,500/pair

For more information, visit their web site at www.lasvegasproaudio.com.

Posted in Speakers

WorxAudio Technologies is pleased to announce the introduction of the new TL.218SS Sub Bass System. Available in both powered and non-powered configurations, the TL.218SS—with dual TL1801SS 18-inch low frequency (LF) transducers—is the ideal subwoofer for applications requiring maximum output with smooth, extended LF response. The TL.218SS is the perfect choice for live concert reproduction, high energy club installations, houses of worship, theme park effects, and theaters.

Built to truck pack dimensions for efficient transportation of multiple units, the new TL.218SS Sub Bass System makes an ideal choice for both touring sound reinforcement and permanent installations. The TL.218SS utilizes a tuned port enclosure built from tour-tested, 21-ply Baltic Birch that is extensively braced for high cabinet rigidity. Combined with its 24mm thick baffle, this rugged, 1-inch thick enclosure is coated with a weather-resistant, multi-layered, catalyzed polyurethane finish (available in a variety of colors to match the environment) designed to withstand the rigors of the road. Protecting the drivers is a 14-guage, powder-coated, cloth-backed, perforated steel grille.

The new TL.218SS Sub Bass System utilizes dual TL1801SS long excursion, high output, 18-inch LF transducers. Each TL1801SS incorporates a high temperature, neodymium magnet surrounding an under hung, 4-inch diameter x 1.5-inch high voice coil encased in a low carbon steel structure that enables the light weight, high strength aluminum cone to have extremely high excursion—over 2-inches of peak to peak movement while staying in the gap 71% of the time without damage to the unit. Delivering more than four times the acoustic output of competing designs, the TL1801SS woofer provides quick transient response, low power compression with high linearity, and ultra low distortion. The result is a remarkably efficient transducer with exceptional sound quality and proven, long-term durability.

An ideal choice for a wide variety of sound reinforcement applications, the TL.218SS Sub Bass System is available in both powered and non-powered configurations. The powered version of this subwoofer is driven by WorxAudio Technologies’ highly-regarded PMD-2 digital power amp. Featuring 1000 watts of power for each TL1801SS LF driver in the enclosure, this powerhouse amplifier incorporates twin digital program processors, an XLR transformer with isolated I/O, and industry-standard AC PowerCon switchgear I/O.

Rounding out the TL.218SS Sub Bass System is the inclusion of EASE Focus aiming software for the TrueLine line array—a two-dimensional, acoustic simulation program that facilitates the configuration and modeling of line arrays. Designed for flying or ground stack applications, the TL.218SS incorporates all the contact points for the optional WorxAudio TrueAim™ rigging hardware. Among its numerous distinct advantages, WorxAudio Technologies rigging accessories are available for both touring and permanent systems, with the permanent installation hardware having a clean, inconspicuous design that presents a high-tech, uncluttered look enabling WorxAudio loudspeaker systems to blend perfectly into any environment. The new TL.218SS Sub Bass System carries a MSRP of $8,080.00 for the powered touring version (with rigging hardware), and $5,031.00 for the non-powered install version. Both models are available now.

For more information, visit their web site at www.worxaudio.com.

Posted in Audio, Speakers

Bose Corporation has introduced a new set of ToneMatch™ presets customized for Taylor® Guitars. Available with the Bose® L1™ Cylindrical Radiator® loudspeaker, these presets are designed to give owners of Taylor’s Expression System® guitars the ability to deliver truer, more natural guitar sound to listening audiences of up to several hundred people, with little change in tone or level.

Recognizing the challenges acoustic players face when trying to amplify their guitar, engineers from Bose and Taylor worked together to develop the ToneMatch presets. The result is a system that offers acoustic players a way to maintain their Taylor tone while playing amplified. The ToneMatch series includes presets for a number of Taylor body shapes, including Dreadnought, Grand Concert, Grand Auditorium and Jumbo, each with a setting specific to fingerpicking and strumming.

The L1 Cylindrical Radiator loudspeaker is the result of a decade of research and development into the improvement of live amplified sound. It projects sound evenly across the stage and into the audience, maintaining uniquely consistent sound levels for both performers and audience members. The L1 loudspeaker mimics the acoustical qualities of a natural, all-acoustic unamplified performance. It allows musicians to hear themselves and each other, improving the quality of their performance and the players’ enjoyment, with a compact system that can be set up in minutes.

For more information, visit their web site at www.bose.com.

Posted in Amplification, Guitar, Speakers

Samson has introduced the dB300 line of portable, 2-way loudspeakers. The line features both active and passive versions of the loudspeaker, suitable for a variety of applications, maximizing performance and versatility.

The dB300 (passive) has a power handling capacity of 300 Watts RMS and features a custom designed 12-inch driver with 3-inch voice coil, a 1.75 inch titanium compression driver with a 1-inch exit, parallel Speakon™ and 1/4-inch connectors.

The dB300a (active) amplifier section produces 300 Watts RMS total power and the same driver and horn combination as the passive version along with balanced microphone and line level inputs with 2-band EQ.

Maximizing flexibility through design, the dB300 series is also designed to perform as near or far field stage monitors and includes pole mounts and integrated M6 fly points for a variety of applications.

For more information, visit their web site at www.samsontech.com/audio.

Posted in Speakers, Technology

Genelec has launched a range of so-called ‘slot-wall’ mounts for its 8000 range of speaker systems.

The mounts, co-designed with König & Meyer, are ideal for display walls usedin stores and demo facilities as well as studios, post production houses and are proving increasingly popular in residential locations.

Quickly fixed to the rear of the 8020A & 8030A series speaker using the existing mounting holes, and the the bottom of the 8040A & 8050A, they make hanging a speaker a breeze. They also leave the user free to reposition the speakers very easily without touching the underlying wall with new fixings.

Available this autumn.

For more information, visit their web site at www.genelec.com.

Posted in Recording, Speakers

With the new L.U.C.A.S SMART system, HK AUDIO introduces the most compact representative of the entire L.U.C.A.S product line.

Despite a system weight of only 30 kg, L.U.C.A.S Smart delivers over 400 remarkable watts of power. The subwoofer is fed by a 250-watt PWM digital power amp and employs the same 10″ speaker that has already proven itself in high-end touring systems. The subwoofer also houses the two 80-watt power amps for the satellite speakers, each of which is equipped with a 6.5″ woofer and 1″ dome tweeter. Thanks to their especially wide and even coverage pattern, the pair of satellites deliver the kind of precise sonic experience usually associated with good studio monitors. Vocals especially benefit from this system’s ability to render fine details.

L.U.C.A.S SMART has connections for a dynamic microphone and a stereophonic signal source such as a CD, DVD or MP3 player, together with individual gain controls, so this smart, compact system can be used on its own without an external mixer. As with all L.U.C.A.S systems, SMART also features the HK AUDIO MicroTilt™ integral stand mount adapter. With its tilt angle of 10″, the speakers can be aligned optimally towards the audience. Ceiling reflections, so often the cause of phase problems, can be avoided for greater clarity and focus.

Accessories are available as an option. Anyone wanting to make it even easier than it already is to move L.U.C.A.S SMART from point A to point B will find the L.U.C.A.S SMART Roller Bag a convenient means of packing and rolling the system to its destination. For the less nomadic, wall mounts are available for the satellites to facilitate fixed installation of the system.

L.U.C.A.S SMART is immediately available.

For more information, visit their web site at www.hkaudio.com.

Posted in Audio, Live Sound, Speakers