It’s been a hectic last couple of months! We’ve been doing lots of demo’s, and showing off some new, very cool products with all of our dealer-base and consultants.
It has been just about three months since the official release of Linea Research in North America. Rik Kirby, formerly Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Renkus-Heinz started distribution company serving the US. His first customer: Linea Research. Rik and the entire force of reps all over this country (Pacific AV included) have been working tirelessly to introduce everyone to all of the new products coming from LR.
If you’re not familiar with Linea Research, here is a summary: Linea Research is a UK based amplifier and DSP specialist who, over the last 12 years, has primarily been an OEM provider for loudspeaker companies such as Danley, Tannoy, Outline and Turbosound. To date they’ve shipped in excess of 100,000 units and have become highly regarded in the OEM and technology fields. Over the last 3 years they’ve been developing a new range of rackmount amplifiers and DSP controllers to introduce under their own brand, culminating last summer in a program of extensive field testing including very demanding use at some of Europe’s major music festivals last summer. Last fall, once performance and stability became assured, these products were launched in the UK and Europe with great success and Linea Research now has distribution in over 15 countries worldwide.
They recently released their all-new 4 and 8-channel power amplifiers with full DSP on-board. They’re offered in both a touring/portable version, and a contractor version. The DSP on-board comes direct from the ASC48, a 4 in, 8 output digital loudspeaker manager. We’ve been all around the territory telling people about the all new M and C series. From Los Angeles, to San Luis Obispo, to San Francisco, we’ve had a great time sharing more about these innovative amplifiers. The all new amplifiers are now shipping, and have already been used out in the field with great results. You can read more about a recent installation featuring Linea Research here: Linea Research at FBC Canyon Lake.
Besides talking about Linea Research, Pacific AV recently became the 
Southern California reps for K-Array. We recently got to test drive the KR402 line array system. The KR402 (more info can be found here) features high-powered column line arrays, capable of a max SPL of 138 dB. The KP102 columns feature 3.15 inch drivers, and the single 21-inch subwoofer fills in the bottom.
The system is powered by the on-board, integrated power amplifiers in the subwoofer. The system features: DSP onboard with dedicated presets, ultra fast setup and dismantling system, and RS485 and USB connectivity for remote control. The KR402 Mark I features two channels of class D amplification, housed in the subwoofer. The rear panel provides input for a balanced line signal, a balanced microphone signal with phantom power and digital signals in AES/EBU protocol and also on an XLR for ease of cabling.
All DSP functions, including EQ, can be controlled with remote managing software via USB or RS485, again conveniently on a standard XLR. And with the K-dante accessory, the system can be used in a Dante network.An integrated touch screen provides intuitive managing and editing of powerful DSP controlling: Input and output levels, internally generated test signal, In/Out routing, subwoofer delay up to 12 ms, Speakon output to the mid-hi element with delay of up to 12 ms, and overall system delay up to 330 ms.
All DSP functions, including EQ can be controlled with remote managing software via USB or RS485, again, conveniently on a standard XLR. The unique four-corner port configuration gives symmetrical back loading to the sub speaker for extended bass response with very low distortion. This also gives incredible structural strength to the cabinet despite its light weight. Pocket handles in the sub and an M20 thread mount position for attaching mid-high speakers, with a variety of mounting and rigging hardware options make the systems very versatile in almost any application and in every type of venue. The KR402 was recently used at the 2016 Olympics for the Torch Relay, and this is what was said about them: “The torch relay generates a lot of interest at each city or town, and therefore, a very big audience. The horizontal set up was the best way to reach everyone in attendance and increase participation. And they were completely invisible to everyone, which enhanced the performances.”
We are thrilled to be representing K-Array, and look forward to sharing with all of our customers the innovative, and great-sounding products from K-Array!
Besides playing with speakers and 
subs, we were busy with visits and demo’s with ClearOne. We recently were traveling in our territory with John Nygren, the Product Director for ClearOne’s wireless mic systems, formerly Sacom. The new ClearOne powered by Sacom is adding to the family of wireless mic systems with the all-new Dialog 20. The all new system is now integrated with ClearOne’s all-new Converge Pro 2, announced recently at this years InfoComm show in Las Vegas, Nevada.
The Dialog 20 is the compact, feature-rich and complete 2 Channel Wireless Microphone System that consists of Receiver with built-in antenna, all types of Transmitters – Boundary tabletop, Gooseneck podium, Handheld, Beltpack and Docking Station. It’s great for all sorts of applications, including: Classrooms, Training Rooms, Huddle Rooms, and Media Carts. To learn more about the all-new, innovative Dialog 20, click here.
We’ve been busy doing demo’s as well. We’ve shared the all-new OPA-5T from On Point Audio, the Beam Forming Mic Array from ClearOne, the XT-8 2 way loudspeaker from P Audio, and the K-Array Anakonda.
We were thrilled that Renkus-Heinz provided the speaker systems for both stages at the Blues Festival that recently took place in Long Beach. The main stage featured the IC2 digitally-steerable line array. Lots of RH IC118 subwoofers filled out the bottom, and even at over 100 feet away from the stage, the sound was clear, natural and loud!
For the secondary stage, Renkus-Heinz provided the innovative, flexible, and very cool Iconyx Live system which featured a single ICL-FR and IC215S subwoofer.
The system was set up by Ralph Heinz (with the help of our own Scott Wrege) and was also tuned by him. The festival most certainly benefited from the high-performance afforded by the IC2 and Iconyx Live digitally-steerable systems.
The IC2 from Renkus-Heinz delivers incredible power and performance, IC² is truly 
the most flexible loudspeaker available today. Just one IC² can deliver as many as four individually controllable beams of sound. Array multiple IC² and you have a truly steerable line array – all dead hung from a single point. Combining the advantages of point source design with the control and flexibility of digitally steered array technology, IC² digitally steerable loudspeaker modules and arrays offer an elegant and innovative solution to the most challenging acoustical problems. Individual driver control delivers unequalled vertical pattern control for maximum intelligibility. IC² beams can be steered up or down while the stack or array remains vertical. Powerful and versatile, the IC² system’s four 8-inch low frequency Neodymium transducers and four 1-inch throat Titanium Nitride coated HF drivers deliver powerful sound levels that belie their compact size. Whether employed individually as a stand-alone high-performance loudspeaker, ground stacked as a small array, or flown in larger, multi-cabinet arrays for even more output and greater control, IC² is an ideal solution for everything from delivering intelligible speech and cutting through crowd noise to shaking the rafters at rock concerts.
The IC2 proved at this festival that it isn’t only designed for inside installations, and is just as well-suited for outdoor touring/portable use.
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