Tech Focus: Audio Monitoring, Part 2 — Speaker Solutions for Road Warriors
A look at robust options for the production-truck environment
Story Highlights
It’s a narrow niche in the diverse universe of monitor speakers, but audio monitoring in a production-truck environment calls for a robust, full range of speaker solutions. Here are the market leaders.
Click here for Tech Focus: Audio Monitoring, Part 1 — Room-Correction Software Aims To Optimize Any Environment
The Genelec 8331 and 8341 Smart Active Monitors, part of the company’s recently introduced The Ones Series, are the world’s smallest three-way compact coaxial monitors. A breakthrough coaxial driver design provides extremely accurate imaging and improved sound quality, with crystal-clear accuracy, both on- and off-axis, vertically as well as horizontally. Aesthetically striking is the absence of visible woofers, which are concealed beneath the Directivity Controlled Waveguide (DCW). The intuitive Genelec Loudspeaker Manager (GLM 3.0) control network and software allow adjustments of all aspects of monitor settings and full system control. Genelec AutoCal automatically aligns every monitor on the network for level, timing, and equalization of room-response anomalies. The 8331 is designed to handle the challenging room acoustics in TV and outside broadcasting. The 8341 is suitable for larger spaces.
The first in JBL’s 7 Series line, the 705P and 708P (powered) models answer the call for next-generation multichannel monitoring in post rooms, broadcast facilities, and trucks. Leveraging patented technologies developed for the company’s flagship M2 Master Reference Monitor, 7 Series speakers deliver detailed imaging, extended frequency response, and remarkable output from compact enclosures. Centrally amplified and tuned, and easily installed, 705P and 708P are the heart of a scalable system for broadcast and post facilities working in immersive-audio formats. They are available in both powered and passive models and feature tight integration with the new Intonato 24 Monitor Management Tuning System.
The Meyer Sound Amie precision studio monitor is a compact, self-powered loudspeaker designed for accurate, controlled audio reproduction in smaller production environments. A highly linear system, Amie provides uncolored response regardless of output levels. Extremely low distortion allows extended working hours without ear fatigue, and an integrated constant-directivity horn yields focused coverage in over-console applications. Amie incorporates a 6.5-in. long-excursion cone driver, a 1-in. silk-infused dome tweeter, and a two-channel Class D amplifier with sophisticated signal processing.
Neumann’s new KH 80 DSP monitor is a slightly scaled-down version of its KH 120, which appears regularly in remote-production vehicles. Shared features include the Mathematically Modeled Dispersion (MMD) waveguide, flexible acoustical controls, analog Class AB amplifiers, a large headroom analog input, and an extensive mounting-hardware range. It is also available in a digital version, the KH 120 D. The recent arrival also includes an integral DSP package capable of in-room acoustic correction using eight bands of parametric (IIR) EQ. These are controlled through the new Neumann.Control iPad app, which adapts the KH 80 DSP to the individual room situation. A patented Guided Alignment algorithm enables filtering functions and room-adjustment options that adapts the system to its environment.