New Loudspeakers Outperform Line Array Technology
by Elianne Halbersberg
Innovative loudspeaker manufacturer Danley Sound Labs is introducing the world's first high-output loudspeaker that is seamlessly arrayable both horizontally and vertically. Sibling of Danley's celebrated SH-50, the new SH-25 delivers 10dB more output with a perfect, 25-deg x 25-deg beamwidth. Users can hard pack multiple SH-25s in any direction to effectively create the world's only perfect multi-cell horn.
Composed of a single one-inch tweeter, 4 four-inch mids, and 8 six-and-a half-inch woofers, a single SH-25 covers the frequency spectrum evenly from 80Hz to 18kHz and sounds transparent and true even with no equalization. When four of the 28" x 28" x 42" units are packed together, the low-end drops smoothly to 50Hz. Sensitivity is rated at 104dB, and maximum output reaches 140 dB.
Since the SH-25 time relationships work simultaneously in both horizontal and vertical planes, a tight packed array of six or eight boxes delivers seamless arraying with minimal interference in either direction and stunning fidelity. And with only one amp channel per box, the SH-25s deliver great audio fast and easy.
Showcasing the Avantgarde
When Avantgarde Acoustics, based out of Frankfurt, Germany, wanted to showcase its elite audio system augmented by stunning high definition visuals, it turned to Gefen. Setting up the audio in Avantgarde Acoustics' private showroom in Huntington Beach, Calif., was just the beginning.
Their flagship horn speaker system enables an exceptional auditory experience, as if listening to live music. But to properly illustrate the capabilities of a sound-driven media room, Avantgarde Acoustics knew they needed to enhance the sound with visuals.
David Day, head of business operations for Avantgarde Acoustics in the U.S., envisioned his showroom as a real-world environment, demonstrating how the system could be used for nearly any audio-based environment. As a result, the room was designed as a pseudo media room, sports bar and recording studio.
Day equipped the plush, 20- by 25-foot room with a 110-inch Da-lite screen fed by a Sony VW100 projector, plus three 26-inch Sony LCD displays with access to a high definition cable box and a Microsoft Media Center.
While the audio from each source is fed into the high-end Triand complement of six bass horns, arguably the finest loudspeaker system available in the world, the HD video is delivered to multiple outputs. To enable simultaneous viewing on the three displays and the Da-lite screen, when simulating a sports bar, for example, Day added the Gefen 2x4 HDMI Switcher/Splitter to the equipment rack.
This high-end performer accepts two HDMI audio/video inputs and outputs either source to four HDMI displays and/or projectors, supporting HD video in resolutions up to 1080p.
Designed like a contemporary media room in order to best capture the essence of the loudspeaker system's capabilities, the showroom offers a unique environment for a luxurious audio/visual experience. It is available by appointment.
With more than 2,500 installed systems to date, Avantgarde Acoustic has become in the past 10 years the market leader for high-end spherical horn systems. Because every Avantgarde loudspeaker is a genuine Hi-Fi system, it offers the music lover the utmost quality of performance with any kind of music. Additional information is available at www.avantgarde-acoustic.com.
Gefen delivers professional quality audio/video solutions with multi-platform extension, integration, distribution and conversion capabilities. Gefen equipment is valued all over the world in professional AV/IT and consumer electronics/home theater environments. Their add-on hardware maximizes system functionality by enabling AV systems to operate beyond their original capabilities. A selection of high-quality cabling is also available. Visit www.gefen.com for detailed product information.
Sennheiser a Winner Among Stars at the Grammy Awards
The Police joined a stellar list of opening acts with their
"reunited" performance at the 49th Annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles on February 11. The five-time Grammy-winning band, led by frontman Sting and Andy Summers on guitar—both using Sennheiser e865s—and Stewart Copeland on the new Sennheiser HSP4-EW headset, kicked off the evening singing one of their biggest hits, "Roxanne."
Beyonce, a longtime Sennheiser user treated viewers to "Listen," from the Dreamgirls soundtrack, using her SKM 5200 wireless handheld mic with Neumann KK 105-S capsule. Shakira proved the
sonic performance of her Sennheiser SKM 3072 wireless mic, and Gnarls Barkley were flying high during their "Crazy" performance. Cee-Lo Green, the band's frontman, used his custom gold-plated SKM 5200 handheld with Neumann KK 105-S capsule. Philip Bailey used the same combination when R&B legends Earth, Wind & Fire, six-time Grammy winners, took the stage for a special segment with Ludacris and Mary J. Blige.
All three members of Rascal Flatts, taking part in an extended tribute to the Eagles, performed through the Sennheiser/Neumann hybrid wireless vocal mic. Presenters, who included Jamie Foxx, Joan Baez, Seal, Reba McEntire, Ornette Coleman, Natalie Cole, Rihanna and David Spade, heavily favored Sennheiser SKM 5200 wireless handheld mics. Over 40 each of the Evolution Series
e602II and e902 wired microphones, as well as 10 e935 and four Neumann KMS 105 microphones and 16 channels of EW300IEMG2 units, were additionally on hand for performers.
Established in 1945 in Wedemark, Germany, Sennheiser is the acknowledged world leader in microphone technology, RF-wireless and infrared sound transmission, headphone transducer technology, and most recently, in the development of active noise-cancellation. Sennheiser Electronic Corporation is the U.S. wholly owned subsidiary, with headquarters in Old Lyme, Conn.
