Audio Monitors Offer Expanding Range of Options

Monitor-product options for the mobile-broadcast market grew in the last 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. Here is a look at some of the latest offerings and their features.

ADAM Audio
The SX-Series monitor system offers ADAM Audio’s proprietary X-ART transducer technology along with ultra-low-distortion broadband A/B amplifier and new Hexacone woofers with more linear excursion to optimize efficiency and accuracy. Models include the S4X-V/H three-way system with 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 4-in. midrange driver, 9-in. and two 7-in. woofers; S2X two-way nearfield system with 7-in. woofer; and S1X two-way nearfield system with 5-in. woofer.

The cost-effective AX Series monitor system, featuring X-Art tweeters driven with A/B amplifiers and carbon/Rohacell woofers driven with pulse-width modulation amplifiers, is suited for mobile and remote broadcast use. The line includes 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. mid-woofer driven by a 100-W amp; the A5X with X-Art tweeter (25 W) and 5.5-in. mid-woofer (50 W); and the compact A3X, measuring only 9.9 in. high x 5.9 in. wide x 7.2-in. deep and weighing 10 lbs.

New ADAM ARTist Multimedia Series speakers also share X-Art technology for high-quality audio reproduction in professional computer-based applications. The ARTist Series 5 offers a carbon/Rohacell woofer, electronic crossover, and amplifiers for each driver with expanded connection features, including a special USB connector for computers to allow the user to send a digital signal directly to the ARTist speakers. www.adam-audio.com

Blue Sky
Sky System One 5.1 is the original manifestation of Blue Sky’s approach to accurate, full-range 5.1-surround monitoring. Each 100-W bi-amplified SAT 6.5 MK IIl satellite speaker has a 6.5-in. hemispherical driver and a 1-in. ferrite tweeter with a dual concentric diaphragm and integral wave-guide. The integral 12-in. subwoofer features a single long-excursion 12-in. woofer and a 200-W, low-distortion amplifier. Bass management is provided by Blue Sky’s Bass Management Controller (BMC MKIIl), which provides calibration, level control, and other features.

For professional applications such as postproduction, the Blue Sky ProDesk is a full-range 5.1-surround monitoring system specifically designed for critical mixing and monitoring on the desktop. The SAT 5 MK IIl satellite speaker features a proprietary 5.25-in. hemispherical driver with a Danish tweeter and is powered by dual 60-W power amplifiers with adjustable gain control and a BOO optimized crossover. The SUB 8 MKlll has an 8-in. woofer driven by a 100-W power amplifier. The BMC MKIIl makes this a high-performance, compact 5.1-surround monitoring solution.

Blue Sky’s new entry-level MediaDesk MKll 5.1 system is optimized for computer-driven desktop audio recording, production, and “professional” home-theater applications. It features the SAT 4 MKII satellite speaker with removable grill, a 65-W power amplifier, new 65-W SUB 8, and remote controller. www.abluesky.com

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

With a small, 6.7- x 10.2- x 9.3-in. footprint, the Dynaudio BM5A Compact achieves a frequency response of 55 Hz-21 kHz bi-amplified with 50 W for the 5.7-in., one-piece molded poly-prop cone woofer and 50 W for the Esotec 28-mm/1.1-in. soft-dome tweeter. The speakers are crossed over at 1,500 Hz, with a 6-dB slope. The newer BM5A MkII, for the same price, takes frequency response from 45 Hz to 21 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. www.dynaudioacoustics.com

Genelec
The 8000 Series’ innovative enclosure delivers a wide frequency response with superb imaging qualities. From the compact 8020B (bi-amp, 4-in. woofer) through the self-calibrating DSP 8260A (tri-amp, three-way), all models feature an entirely aluminum minimum-diffraction enclosure (MDE) design with integrated Advanced Directivity Controlled Waveguide (DCW). All models have an all-aluminum 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 systems, driven by the proliferation of affordable, computer-based production and mixing systems. The LSR2300 Series comprises 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. www.jblpro.com

Neumann
The relatively new 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. www.neumann.com

Tannoy
Reveal 501a and 601a monitoring solutions feature a matched 60-W integrated amplifier with a 5-in. LF/MF driver and 1-in. soft-dome tweeter, The 601a uses a larger, 6.5-in. low/mid-frequency driver and 1-in. soft-dome tweeter, with a total power output of 90 W. Both monitors feature front-firing reflex bass port to negate boundary-coupling, a bass unit developed to minimize offsets and linearize the suspension components, wideband tweeter design extending the amplitude response beyond 20 kHz audibility to 30 kHz to improve the phase response from within the audible band, and sculpted and rigid front-baffle design to minimize diffraction. www.tannoy.com

Yamaha
The MSP7 has a 6.5-in.-cone woofer driven by an 80-W power amplifier. The tweeter has its own 50-W power amplifier for low-, mid-and high-frequency ranges. Low-reflection die-cast magnesium baskets both maximize mechanical precision and minimize unwanted coloration. The 1-in. tweeters feature titanium domes and precise reproduction up to 40 kHz. Waveguide achieves uniform high-frequency dispersion of 120 degrees. The tweeters also have balanced XLR-type connectors for input.

The Yamaha MSP5 features a 5-in.-cone woofer driven by a 40-W amplifier and 1-in.-dome tweeter driven by 27-W amplifier. The waveguide horn achieves broad, uniform high-frequency dispersion over 120 degrees. Other 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 HS50M two-way bass-reflex bi-amplified near-field monitor features a 5-in.-cone woofer, ¾-in.-dome high-frequency unit, and 55 Hz-20 kHz frequency response with 70 W of bi-amplified power. XLR and TRS phone-jack inputs accept balanced or unbalanced signals. Level control facilitates precise overall system-level matching. Features include mid EQ, room control, high-trim-response control switches, low cut switch, and full magnetic shielding.

The HS80M two-way bass-reflex bi-amplified near-field studio monitor has an 8-in.-cone woofer, 1-in.-dome high-frequency unit, and 42 Hz-20 kHz frequency response while delivering 120 W dynamic bi-amplified power. XLR and TRS phone-jack inputs accept balanced or unbalanced signals. Level control facilitates precise overall system-level matching. Other features include mid EQ, room control, high-trim-response control switches, low cut switch, and full magnetic shielding.

The HS10W offers an 8-in. bass-reflex powered subwoofer that delivers solid 30 Hz-120 Hz frequency response and 150 W of dynamic power. XLR and TRS phone-jack inputs accept balanced or unbalanced signals. Balanced XLR L and R outputs connect to the main left and right speakers. L/R mix output connects to a second subwoofer if required. Level control facilitates precise overall system-level matching. Phase switch simplifies phase alignment. Low-pass and high-pass filter control features on/off switch, and full magnetic shielding is provided. www.yamahaproaudio.com

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