Tech Focus: Audio Monitoring, Part 2 — Product Options

Monitor-product options for mobile broadcast grew in the past year, in terms of both brands and models, underscoring the fact that, while the physics of the limited space available in trucks remains immutable, the range of what audio mixers aboard those trucks want to hear remains as diverse as ever. And anyone interested in how complex it is to make little boxes sound both loud and good would appreciate a panel on designing exactly that at next week’s AES Show in New York. Here’s a look at some of the products that can help meet those demands.

ADAM Audio
The SX-Series monitor system features the company’s proprietary X-ART transducer technology driven by an ultra-low-distortion broadband A/B amplifier and new Hexacone woofers with a more linear excursion to optimize efficiency and accuracy. Models include the S4X-V/H three-way system with an X-ART tweeter, 6-in. midrange driver, and one 12-in. (V) or two 9-in. (H) woofers; S3X-V/H three-way near-midfield system –– the more space-efficient/performance choice –– with X-ART tweeter, 4-in. midrange driver, 9-in. woofer (V) or two 7-in. woofers (H); S2X two-way near-field system with X-ART tweeter, and one 7-in. woofer; and S1X two-way near-field system with X-ART tweeter and a 5-in. woofer.

Suited to mobile and remote-broadcast use, the cost-effective AX-Series monitor system features X-ART tweeters driven with an A/B amplifier and carbon/Rohacell woofers driven with pulse-width–modulation amplifiers. The series comprises the A8X with 50-W amp for the X-ART tweeter and 150-W amp for 8.5-in. mid/woofer; the A7X with X-ART tweeter driven by a 50-W amp, a 7-in. midwoofer driven by a 100-W amp; the A5X with X-ART tweeter driven by a 25-W amp and 5.5-in. midwoofer driven by 50 W; and the compact A3X, which measures only 9.9 in. high x 5.9 in. wide x 7.2 in. deep and weighs 10 lb. www.adam-audio.com

Blue Sky
The new digital Star System One, comprising Blue Sky’s SAT 6D speakers and SUB 12D subwoofer with new digital-audio–management controller (AMC), delivers full-range near-field monitoring configurable in 2.0, 2.1, 5.1, and larger for broadcast surround-sound applications. Each 450-W, bi-amplified SAT 6D offers state-of-the-art A/D and D/A converters with USB calibration input for speaker-room optimization (SRO). Each satellite speaker uses a 6.5-in. woofer with a radial-magnet structure and 1-in. Scan Speak ring-radiator tweeter. The SUB 12D woofer features a single long-excursion 12-in. woofer and a 400-W, low-distortion power amplifier with state-of-the-art A/D and D/A as well as USB calibration for SRO. Blue Sky’s AMC provides analog and digital inputs with USB calibration/SRO and level control. www.abluesky.com

Dynaudio Professional
Air-6 monitors have onboard DSP with EQ and enable the user to select dispersion patterns to overcome anomalies faced in truck environments. The tweeter is an Esotec 1.1-in. soft-dome, rear-chamber, magnetic-fluid, 4-mm die-cast aluminum-front, pure aluminum-wire voice coil. The woofer is a 6.5-in. one-piece molded polypropylene cone, 3-in. pure aluminum voice coil, and magnetically shielded.

With its small, 6.7- x 10.2- x 8.3-in. footprint, the new professional BM Compact mkIII achieves a frequency response of 49 Hz-24 kHz and is bi-amplified with 50 W for the 5.7-in., one-piece thermoformed MSP cone woofer and 50 W for the D-281 28-mm/1.1-in. soft-dome tweeter. The speakers are crossed over at 2,100 Hz, with a 6-dB/slope. The brand-new BM5A mkIII takes frequency response from 42 Hz to 24 kHz with a 7-in. molded-aluminum-frame woofer, one-piece thermo-formed MSP cone, 75-mm pure aluminum wire voice coil; and 28-mm soft-dome, rear-chamber, magnetic-fluid, 4-mm aluminum tweeter. dynaudioprofessional.com/

Genelec
The 8000 Series’ innovative enclosure delivers a wide frequency response with superb imaging qualities. Starting with the compact 8020B (bi-amp, 4-in. woofer), through the self-calibrating DSP 8260A (tri-amp, three-way, all models featuring an all-aluminum MDE design with integrated advanced directivity-controlled waveguide (DCW). All models use all-aluminum, minimum-diffraction enclosure (MDE) design, with large internal volumes, curved edges, and high mechanical strength. All 8000 and 8200 systems are magnetically shielded for use in environments where video monitors are in close proximity. www.genelec.com

JBL
The LSR2300 Series studio-monitor system addresses the demand for cost-effective, high-performance monitoring, driven by the proliferation of affordable, computer-based production and mixing systems. The LSR2300 Series includes the LSR2328P bi-amplified 203-mm (8-in.) studio monitor with 165 W of amplification; the LSR2325P bi-amplified 133-mm (5-in.) studio monitor with 90 W of amplification; and the LSR2310SP powered 254-mm (10-in.) studio subwoofer with an integrated 180-W power amplifier.

The first studio-monitor line to incorporate JBL’s patent-pending Image Control waveguide, the new JBL 3 Series is designed to deliver exceptional imaging and detail for broadcast-production customers working in stereo and surround-sound formats. The 3 Series features the LSR305, a 5-in. powered studio monitor with a frequency response of 43 Hz-24 kHz and a peak SPL of 108 dB, and the LSR308, an 8-in. powered studio monitor featuring a response of 37 Hz-24 kHz and a peak SPL of 112 dB. The LSR310S subwoofer extends the low-frequency response of the system into the 20-Hz range. www.jblpro.com

Neumann
The KH 120 studio monitor has a Mathematically Modeled Dispersion (MMD) waveguide, flexible acoustical controls, analog class-AB amplifiers, a large-headroom analog input, and an extensive mounting-hardware range. A newly introduced digital version, the KH 120 D, has the same features but adds a digital BNC input and a buffered delayed BNC output. www.neumannusa.com

Tannoy
Reveal 402 and 802 monitors are the latest in the Reveal range. With a diminutive, 4-in. LF/MF driver and ¾-in. soft-dome tweeter, the 402’s 50-W bi-amp module and frequency response of 56 Hz-48 kHz ensure maximum power and tonal clarity. The 8-in. custom high-efficiency driver and 1-in. soft-dome tweeter of the 802 are coupled with a front-firing bass port for optimal LF performance where space is at a premium. Both monitors feature Aux Link, which allows instant interface-free listening via the included ⅛-in. mini-jack cable. www.tannoystudio.com/

Yamaha
The MSP7 has a 6.5-in. cone woofer driven by an 80-W power amplifier. Each 1-in. tweeter has its own 50-W power amplifier for low-mid and high frequency ranges and features titanium domes providing precise reproduction up to 40 kHz. Low-reflection die-cast magnesium baskets maximize mechanical precision while minimizing unwanted coloration. The waveguide achieves uniform high-frequency dispersion of 120 degrees. Features include balanced XLR-type connectors for input.

The Yamaha MSP5 has a 5-in. cone woofer driven by a 40-W amplifier and 1-in. dome tweeter driven by a 27-W amplifier. A waveguide horn achieves broad, uniform high-frequency dispersion over 120 degrees. Features include advanced driver and enclosure design, uniform dispersion across the system’s full reproduction range, flat frequency response out to 40 kHz, balanced XLR-type input for direct compatibility, and unbalanced ¼-in. phone-jack connector.

The new HS Series comprises the 5-in. HS5, 6.5-in. HS7, and 8-in. HS8 monitors and HS8S subwoofer. The monitors come equipped with transducers featuring an advanced magnetic-field design that regulates the flow of magnetic response to provide natural, seamless sonic transitions. Each component’s materials have been optimized to significantly improve the accuracy of signal reproduction throughout the audio spectrum. All HS Series full-range models are two-way bass-reflex bi-amplified and feature a new high-resolution 1-in. dome tweeter designed for extended high-frequency response with very low distortion up to 30 kHz. www.yamahaca.com

For Part 1 ¾ In the Truck, It’s Still the Biggest Sound Challenge, CLICK HERE.