The changing sounds of festivals – how speakers have adapted throughout the years

With festivals returning this year and Glastonbury set to bring in a 210,000 strong crowd, audio foam experts, Technical Foam Services (TFS), have looked back through the decades at the evolution of speakers and landmark festival moments.

Through the decades, audio foam has played an important role in speaker development with the introduction of speaker front foam in the 70s, designed to keep the speakers free from dust and other small particles.

TFS presents an eye-catching infographic timeline, mapping out important audio advancements. Starting with the muffled sounds of the 60s all the way to record-breaking music in 2014, and the return of Glastonbury in 2022.

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Genelec has opened a Genelec Experience Centre in central Berlin – a brand new demonstration facility designed to provide visitors with a high quality critical listening environment from stereo to immersive, and allows the Finnish manufacturer to showcase its wide range of studio monitors and AV and Home Audio loudspeakers.

The new Berlin location joins existing Experience Centre facilities in Europe and Asia, all of which allow both end users and resellers to learn more about Genelec technologies and audition a broad selection of models.

Located in Alexanderplatz, in the heart of central Berlin’s creative district, the Experience Centre is the result of a close collaboration between Genelec and kost.design, a company jointly owned by architect and studio designer Benjamin Koziczinski and acoustic designer Karlheinz Stegmaier. Kost.design was responsible for overseeing the extensive refurbishment and acoustic treatment of the entire building, resulting in premium quality listening spaces designed specifically around Genelec loudspeaker systems.

At the heart of the Centre is a 27 sq.m listening room equipped with a Genelec 7.1.4 immersive audio system featuring The Ones coaxial point source studio monitors – with the new flagship 8361A in the LCR positions, the 8341A as surrounds, the 8331A in the height locations plus a pair of 7370A subwoofers handling the low frequency content. Genelec’s own GLM software was then used to configure and fine tune the calibration of each monitor within the space for optimal in-room performance.

The listening room allows all of Genelec’s models to be auditioned on request, with the system supporting a wide range of playback formats including Pro Tools, Blu-ray, Apple TV, Netflix and major streaming providers including Spotify and Tidal. Other spaces within the Experience Centre are designed to showcase Genelec Home Audio and AV models, including a 5.1 conference room system built around special RAL-coloured 4030C installation speakers, a kitchen area utilising AIW25 in-wall architectural models, and office and bathroom spaces fitted with various 8300 series two-way smart active speakers.

The Berlin Experience Centre was officially opened at the beginning of October. Those wishing to find out more, or book a demonstration, should contact berlin.showroom@genelec.com

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Berlin-based ADAM Audio is this month celebrating 20 years since it was founded in March 1999.

The company achieved its breakthrough on the international stage with its ADAM S3A active studio monitor, with many still serving faithfully in renowned recording studios.

The A7 (2007) and A7X (2010) models wrote new chapters in the company’s ongoing success story. Among the latest ADAM Audio products is its flagship S series – the first ADAM Audio speakers to feature DSPs.

In 2018, ADAM launched the T series, providing newcomers on a limited budget with the ‘ADAM sound’. In the same year the company also introduced its SP-5 headphones, a mobile professional monitoring solution.

“We’re very happy and, of course, also a bit proud that our studio monitors have been part of countless music productions over the last twenty years,” commented Christian Hellinger, CEO at ADAM Audio. “It’s a challenge – a wonderful and gratifying challenge – to be part of a creative process and to help artists, producers and audio engineers make decisions by providing them with innovative new technology when recording, mixing or mastering their material.

“Our ART tweeter still reveals details, even to experienced audio engineers, that the listener hasn’t heard before,” Hellinger added. “The X-ART and S-ART tweeters are still made by hand at our HQ in Berlin. But they’re far from being the only ADAM Audio innovation. Years of research and development continue to result in future-oriented technologies, such as our new driver concepts, digital signal processing and software solutions.

“The most important driver for our development was and is our excellent team who are passionate about our aspiration to develop, build and distribute the best studio monitors. Our customers have now trusted us for 20 years, showing us that we’re on the right path.”

To celebrate, ADAM Audio has created a limited white edition of its A7X speakers, in a production run totalling just 20 units. This special version will be available through several channels throughout 2019. One pair will be given to the winner of the company’s Instagram competition while another pair will be auctioned via eBay with all proceeds going to the charity Doctors Without Borders.

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WORK PRO Audio, the installation and pro audio division of Equipson, unveiled an array of sound reinforcement products at ISE 2019, including two new Outdoor Projector Speakers and a new Multichannel amplifier.

For external applications such as theme parks, aquaparks, shopping malls, stadium and train stations, WORK Pro Audio showed the WSF 500 CX and WSF 10 CX PLUS passive two way, full range projector speakers, designed to offer the ultimate in voice intelligibility and musical clarity.

1000W and 300W respectively, the WFS 500 CX and 10 CX PLUS both incorporate horn-loaded 10 inch diameter transducers and 2.5 inch voice coils in a bass reflex enclosure. The high frequencies are reproduced by a 1 inch exit compression driver, a 1.75 inch voice coil and an 80 degree horizontal x 60 degree vertical horn, in order to deliver consistent coverage across the entire vocal range.

Both speakers are enclosed in black or white weather-resistant fibreglass, incorporating an aluminium grille covered with a protective water repellent fabric and four pole electrical connection cables that enter the enclosure through a cable gland, thus preventing water, dust and moisture from damaging the transducers.

The 500CX is a Low impedance speaker, while the 10 CX PLUS is available with either Low or High impedance and includes a high quality 120Wrms@100V line transformer, making it ideally suited for installations where long cables need to be deployed.

At ISE 2019, WORK PRO Audio also introduced the PA 8150, a Class-D amplifier that offers LED indicators and independent volume control on each of its 8 channels, designed for installations such as restaurants and venues where audio needs to be individually controlled in different spaces. Delivering up to 150W per channel and a total power output of 1040W, the Low impedance PA 8150 has several protections such as short circuit, thermal, ultrasonic and RF and fits neatly into a 1HU 19 inch rack.

With the installation market increasingly embracing AoIP, Equipson has also added to its BlueLine range of installed network audio products by introducing two new Dante Gateways – the DD2 and the DD4.

The two input/two output DD2 and four input/four output DD4 allow for the extraction of analogue audio signals from the Dante network, as well as the introduction of analogue channels within the same network. Both devices are configurable with Dante Controller, use Euroblock 3.5mm connectors and have balanced inputs and outputs to provide greater immunity to noise that interferes with audio signal lines. 

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L-Acoustics will showcase a number of new products from its ISE booth 7-X230, Hall 7 and demo room E103 at the 2019 ISE Show this week.

The company is launching the X4i speaker, an ultra-compact addition to the X Series coaxial range, as well as demonstrating enhanced integration and interoperability with third party control platforms from Q-SYS and Crestron.

It will also showcase its L-ISA Immersive Hyperreal Sound, the leading object-based sound technology that is rapidly growing across both live performance and install markets.

The X4i, shipping in March, is described to be a ‘powerful yet unobtrusive’ and highly weatherised coaxial loudspeaker for installation applications. In an enclosure weighing less than a kilo, it is the smallest loudspeaker the company has ever manufactured. The speaker, which measures 3.9 inches deep, is ideally suited to fill applications in performing arts centres or houses of worship, and can be easily hidden in walls, stair risers, stage lips, pit rails, under balconies or any other tight spot.

The enclosure can additionally provide vocal reinforcement in settings such as conference rooms, museums and exhibits, and hospitality venues. Combined with Syva Sub, X4i constitutes an ideal solution for indoor or outdoor background music in restaurants, bars, hotels, and retail locations. It is weather-resistant with an IP55 rating, becoming watertight with a rear sealing plate.

L-ISA recently received three industry awards at the 2019 NAMM Show, including the ProSoundWeb & Live Sound International Reader’s Choice Award for Sound Reinforcement Technology; the FOH Award Honouring Excellence in Manufacturing and Advancement of Audio Technology, Immersive Audio Technology; and the Parnelli Award for Indispensable Technology in Audio.

L-ISA Immersive Hyperreal Sound demonstrations will take place in demo room E103 on a first come, first seated basis at 10am, noon, 2pm and 4pm daily.

Demonstrations of the recently released L-Acoustics Q-SYS plug-in and the new L-Acoustics Crestron module for amplified controllers and P1 AVB processor will also take place upon request at booth 7-X230.

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Alcons Audio is attending Integrated Systems Europe (ISE) 2019 with the award-winning Pro-Ribbon Immersive Experience, new products and as an official ISE Technology Partner.

Located at Stand 6-H150, the Alcons Pro-Ribbon Immersive Experience will see the company demonstrating both live production and immersive residential applications, with alternating demonstrations taking place at 30 minute intervals throughout ISE’s four days.

Alcons continues its long-term partnership with Astro Spatial Audio (ASA) for the professional application demonstrations and with DreamScreen and Storm Audio for the residential demos.

Featuring all-digital, lossless signal distribution from source to amplification, the Alcons system for all demonstrations will comprise three CRMS mkII cinema reference monitor system, six CRMSC-SRHV90 compact, horizontal/vertical reference surrounds for front width, side and rear surrounds and seven of the company’s new CRMSC-SRHV120 compact, wide-dispersion horizontal/vertical reference surrounds for height and the ‘voice of God’.

The CRMSC-SRHV120 delivers true wide dispersion from a ribbon driver ‘for the first time.’ Using the Alcons RBN202 pro-ribbon driver, the CRMSC SRHV120 is based on the patent-pending technology of the company’s CRMSC-SRHV90 and VR5 mini versatile monitor.

The Pro-Ribbon Immersive Experience system will be completed by four CRMS-LFE18 subwoofers and seven Sentinel10 amplified loudspeaker controllers. Audio processing will be provided by Storm Audio’s ISP 3D.32 Elite Reference Édition immersive sound processor.

The Pro Ribbon Immersive Experience is acoustically optimised with Texlnt acoustic baffles, by Mojo Rental All Areas, to allow realistic sound pressure levels to be attained on the show floor. An active subwoofer array, driven by Alcons’ renowned cardioid processing in the Sentinel amplified loudspeaker controllers, prevents low frequency spill outside the booth.

Alcons will also be showcasing the new CRMS-LFE15 low frequency extension for residential and studio markets. A smaller version of the CRMS-LFE18, with a 15” (38cm) inverted cone, it is designed to match the CRMSC screen channel in smaller applications. An SL version, with a sealed shallow cabinet 11″ (28cm) deep, is also in development.

For the professional rental/installation market Alcons will preview a new addition to the Q-series of modular line source array columns. This is designed for smaller applications with less SPL and throw requirements, but with the same directivity control from the larger Q system solutions.

As an official ISE Technology Partner, Alcons Audio systems will be used throughout the show, including the Main Stage Theatre, on the show floor and in other locations.

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Danish studio monitor developer and manufacturer Dynaudio is at the 2019 NAMM Show this week launching Core – its latest high-end professional reference speakers.

The series comprises a three-way monitor (Core 59) and a two-way monitor (Core 7).

“The range uses our most advanced drivers – including all-new tweeters that feature the ingenious new resonance-defeating Hexis inner dome – plus innovative new DSP technology for even more features and surprising ease of use,” said Dynaudio Pro product manager Rune Jacobsen. “In short, extreme consistency between speakers and intelligent, flexible cabinet design – plus the best digital amplifiers we’ve ever heard – bring the pinnacle of honesty, consistency and reliability to your studio.”

Early models were put through their paces in an active recording environment in the Dynaudio Unheard recording studio at Denmark’s Smukfest music festival in 2018. Both Core 7 and Core 59 have digital inputs (AES3) and support up to 24-bit/192 kHz signals, and the internal DSP operates at the same high level when using the analogue inputs.

The series is also designed for extremely flexible positioning – Core has four indentations on each side and a set of Dynaudio-developed pads to fit them. In addition, the three-way Core 59 features a rotation flex system – the Orbit – which has been adapted from Dynaudio’s AIR series. It lets users rotate the plate that holds the mid/woofer and tweeter to suit either vertical or horizontal positioning.

Core also features Pascal class-D amplifiers chosen after a series of intensive listening tests. It is the first Dynaudio Pro range to have been fully developed in the company’s advanced new R&D centre, Dynaudio Labs.

Availability and Pricing

The Core range is scheduled to ship in Q2 2019. Core 59 is prepared for VESA mounting (optional), and Dynaudio has designed special brackets for Core 7 for wall or ceiling installation.

Core 7: $2000 US MAP / 1700 € Euro List excluding tax

Core 59: $3000 US MAP / 2700 € Euro List excluding tax

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Avantone Pro’s  CLA-10  classic studio reference monitor is available once again, manufactured as a full-range, two-way passive pair for fixed or remote locations.

Avantone Pro’s custom-tooled frame supports the driver/cone combo to minimise mechanical transfers while the 35mm AV10-MHF high frequency silk dome-based tweeter is as close a match to the original as can be made.

Watch Chris Lorde-Alge’s introductory video fr the ‘new’ product, here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZFLmP9XWyhg

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The new C Series is a high-definition series of point source speaker system designed and manufactured specifically for the Paris-based Théâtre National de Chaillot (Chaillot National Theater), which houses the most prestigious dance and theater companies from Europe and throughout the world, the C Series (‘C’ is a tribute to Chaillot) is Amadeus’ latest speaker innovation.

The C Series comprises two different models, with plans for other models in a near future. The C12 is based on a 2-way point source transducer featuring a 12-inch woofer, and a 1.75-inch driver. The C15 is based on a 3-way point source transducer featuring a 15-inch woofer.

The C 15 also features two neodymium diaphragm compression HF drivers, coaxially mounted with a single acoustical output, and coupled to an individual waveguide. Both models include a unique diffraction horn, each is specific and optimized to get a vertical dispersion of 60° and a horizontal dispersion of 90°, which can be inverted by rotating the system 90-degrees. This type of load ensures a perfectly uniform coverage and an excellent spectral quality throughout the whole listening area.

Facing the fountains of Trocadéro, the Tour Eiffel, and the Champs de Mars, the Théâtre National de Chaillot is a masterpiece of Art Deco architecture.

Dreamed up by Jean Vilar, created by Georges Wilson in 1967 and named in homage to Firmin Gémier who created the Théâtre National Populaire, (People’s National Theater), the Firmin Gémier Hall has re-opened after 4-years of construction and renovations.

Completely remodeled with a vast 180-square-meter floor space, a 390-seat retractable bench, and state-of-the-art technical equipment – featuring a dozen of the new specifically-created Amadeus C15 Series speakers among many other high-tech sound breakthroughs – Firmin Gémier Hall has become a flexible space, ideal for artistic creation, with an abundance of possibilities and inventiveness.

“Given the very specific acoustical characteristics of the Firmin Gémier Hall, installing a conventional point-source system was not an option. We tried testing several two-way ‘coaxial’ systems, most notably the PMX 15 speakers, already used in the Jean Vilar Hall. They also were not what we needed, due to their wide conical (H80° x V80°) directivity and the expansion shape of their waveguide,” said Marc Piera,sound department manager at Théâtre National de Chaillot.

“Indeed, the very diverse types of events staged in the venue, the near-systematic use of multiple sources, sometimes immersive, coupled to a high level of natural hall reverberation meant it was necessary to resort to a system offering controlled directivity over a wide spectral band," continued Piera.

"Also, the top of tier position of the last row of seats, fifteen meters away from the tip of the stage and nearly twenty-five meters away from the faraway back of the stage, rendered the use of a stereo ‘line source’ system irrelevant, even if more directive, given the associated heavy losses on the spatial aspect of sound program material.”

“As already mentioned, a traditional line source system, with constant or variable curvature, placed in a classical configuration, would inevitably have affected the sources’ localization, according to Haas’ effect. In the 1940s, this German scientist established that a source’s localization is given by the direction of the first sound reaching the ear (direct sound). If the difference between the spectator’s position, the primary source and the secondary source grows, this effect becomes stronger.”

“Which is why we participated to the development of a new type of speakers designed by Amadeus, that features a tri-axial transducer (three ways mounted on the same axis), including two compression drivers inherited from the MHF section of the DIVA M2 array system,” added Piera.

Michel Deluc, Amadeus’ director of research & Development, added: “The tweeter in the new C15 features a unique combination of extended frequency response, high efficiency, and wide dispersion pattern. The driver is a 2-way system, employing two concentric annular ring diaphragms. Each driver covers a smaller frequency range for increased power handling, high dynamic, and extremely low distortion. The larger annular midrange diaphragm, featuring a 3.5-inch (90mm) voice coil, covers the frequency range between 800 and 6 500 Hz with a smooth, linear response. The ultra-light annular diaphragm for the high range, featuring a 1,75-inch (45 mm) voice coil, offers exceptional transient response with very high efficiency from 6,000 to 22,000 Hz.”

“The wide diffraction horn, optimized for a horizontal dispersion of 90° and a vertical dispersion of 60° allows for a control over directivity that extends to 800 Hz, a very high signal to noise ratio, and an optimized ‘reach’, compared to ordinary coaxial systems,” continues Deluc.

“I fully believe this technology will find uses in the many theater venues presenting similar acoustical challenges, and also in cases where directivity control over a wide spectral band is necessary, without adverse effects on spatial information,” concludes Piera.

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Clair Brothers has introduced the 10SPOT  hybrid loudspeaker at Prolight + Sound 2018.

The speaker combines the company’s Curved Array Technology with its One Series coaxial horn technology.

With a frequency response of 90Hz – 20,000Hz it is a great solution for when articulate speech and music reproduction is key. 

The 10SPOT will begin shipping in Summer 2018.

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