ADAM Audio S Series
ADAM Audio is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year with the release of the A7X 20-Year Anniversary Limited Edition and the announcement of a collaboration with Sonarworks, the software-based monitor reference system. In addition to these, ADAM also has the S Series reference monitoring range, which has five models of increasing size: S2V, S3H and S3V and the S5H and S5V (H denotes a speaker designed optimally for horizontal use, V the vertical version). On each model in the series, the bass driver has a low-mass but highly rigid honeycomb driver cone, a self-cooling linear magnet assembly, a low-loss speaker surround, linear suspension and damping systems and a vented symmetrical voice coil. For the mid-range, the 100 mm (4-inch) driver is a dome/cone hybrid design that has excellent dispersion characteristics, low distortion, high power handling and a flat response.
ATC SCM12i Compact Monitor
Installation Version Aimed at Recording, Post-Production
Looking at the boom in new, mid-sized immersive sound facilities, TransAudio Group, the U.S. distributor for ATC, has introduced ATC SCM12i compact monitor for permanent installations. A follow-up to the passive SCM12 Pro, launched two years ago, the new monitor uses the same two-way topology and driver technology within a cabinet purpose-built for permanent installation in recording and post studios. The 16 x 9 x 9-inch ATC SCM12i uses the same hand-built drivers found in other ATC models, and sports a 1-inch, dual-suspension, soft-dome tweeter. An ATC six-inch Constrained Layer Damping woofer handles mid- and low-frequency content. The monitor offers a frequency response from 80 Hz to 16 kHz, ± 2dB, ±80° coherent horizontal and ±10° coherent vertical dispersion, and 108 dB continuous SPL per pair at 1m. The new monitor’s mounting points are compatible popular mounting strategies and standardizations, including those offered by Adaptive Technologies Group and König & Meyer (K&M)
Augspurger Treo 1015V
Fans of Augspurger’s Treo 812 system will be glad to hear that the Treo 1015-V is a vertically oriented 3-way full-range active monitor that features the same quality as the 812, but with a larger driver complement and 3700 W/Chl. Class D amps. Augspurger Power SXE-3D networkable amps deliver powerful DSP for system control and acoustical integration into the environment. The Treo 1015-V monitor systems are designed for intimate and mid-sized working and listening spaces where accuracy and dynamics are required, and larger environments as distributed audio or surround theatrical applications. Using Augspurger’s CIC (cab-in-cab) technology, the speaker integrates the 15-inch sub-bass cabinet into the main system, which perfectly time- aligns all frequencies and delivers a high-impact listening experience with subtle mix details revealed.
Barefoot Microstack45
If you think your monitoring needs may need to expand in the future, Barefoot Sound’s MicroStack45 is a good place to start. It is a stereo package of two MicroMain45 3-way active reference monitors and two MicroSub45 subwoofers all designed to work seamlessly together or as a single unit. Each stereo system incorporates a pair of 1-inch tweeters, four 2.5-inch midrange drivers and six high-excursion 8-inch woofers. MicroSub45 subwoofers feature Barefoot’s Dual-Force technology, housing a pair of opposing 8-inch aluminum cone drivers plus a balanced analog high-pass filter that crosses the system over at 80 Hz. According to Barefoot, Dual-Force technology eliminates vibration within the MicroSub45 speaker cabinet, delivering clean low frequency extension down to 25 Hz when combined with the MicroMain45. The MicroStack45 system works optimally when the MicroMain45 monitors are positioned either directly on top of or underneath the MicroSub45 subwoofers, depending on your preference. A tilt feature enables the MicroMain45 monitors to be directed at the listening sweet spot and is designed so that the stack is very sturdy and will not slip.
Dynaudio Core 59
Dynaudio’s Core 59 speaker, which is the flagship of its high-end professional reference monitor series, is a three-way model with Class-D amplification, cutting-edge digital signal processing, a super-inert 32mm-thick baffle and a flat bass response down to 42 Hz with —6 dB at 36 Hz. DYnaudio promises that its Esotar Pro tweeter has been created to keep fatigue at bay with its Hexis device, which is an inner dome that sits just behind the diaphragm and optimizes airflow, smooths the frequency response and eliminates unwanted internal resonances. The mid-range driver, with crossover points at 312 Hz and 5.1 kHz, uses Dynaudio’s proprietary MSP (Magnesium Silicate Polymer) material in its cone for the best combination of lightness, stiffness and damping and, coupled with an aluminium voice-coil, has a fast response from its neodymium magnet system., Core 59 delivers so much more of the critical vocal range in one driver than typical designs, ensuring your mix decisions on vocal balances and dialogue subtleties are made with total confidence. The bass driver dives all the way down to 16 Hz and features a new copper voice-coil and glass-fiber former, pushed by ceramic magnets and a 500W Class-D Pascal amplifier. It gives the 9-inch-long excursion woofer even more grip on the bottom without sacrificing a deep frequency response.
Fluid Audio Second-Generation FX80, FX50 Studio Monitor
Fluid Audio has released the second generation of its FX80 and FX50 monitors. The updates include Class D amplifiers with high- and mid-frequency adjustment knobs, acoustic space, low frequency rolloff and optimized composite cone woofers, along with a new industrial design. DSP-controlled crossover provides blending of the woofer to the soft dome tweeter, and ensures that there is effectively zero variance amplifier to amplifier. Other features include 5-inch/8-inch composite cone, low-frequency drivers; 1-inch/1.2-inch silk dome tweeter mounted in waveguide; biamplified 100W/140W Class D amplification; and Acoustic Space Control that lets you calibrate the low frequency to your mixing environment (0, -2 and -4 dB).
Focal Trio11 Be Studio Monitor
At NAMM in January, Focal debuted its new flagship monitor, the Trio11 Be, featuring a 5-inch midrange, 10-inch subwoofer, and the company’s signature pure Beryllium inverted dome tweeter. Like Trio6 Be, Trio11 Be comprises a 3-way monitor and a 2-way monitor, which makes it possible to check the sound quality of the mix by using Focus mode, a Focal innovation. Because of the Class G amplification used on the midrange and subwoofer, Trio11 Be delivers a high SPL of 118 dB at 1 meter; bandwidth is measured at 30 Hz-40 kHz. The aluminum baffle incorporating the tweeter and woofer is adjustable through 360°, in 90° increments, so Trio11 Be can be used either vertically or horizontally. The Trio11 Be was set for March availability. Focal is distributed in the US and Canada by Focal Naim America (formerly known as Audio Plus Services).
Genelec S360 Smart Active Monitor
The Genelec S360 Smart Active Monitor (SAM) packs a lot into its compact frame. Housed in a low diffraction enclosure with Finnish woodwork, the S360 features an enhanced 10-inch high efficiency woofer and 1-inch titanium diaphragm compression tweeter housed in an extended directivity control waveguide — delivering neutral reproduction with a short-term SPL capability of 118 dB, with peaks even higher. It is versatile in its placement, including free-standing, in-wall or on-wall positions. Mounting is further supported by down-firing reflex ports. The S360 includes an Iso-Plate, which effectively decouples the monitor from its base when standing. As part of the growing SAM family of Genelec monitors and subwoofers, the S360 tightly integrates with GLM software, via which it can be configured, calibrated and controlled. Using GLM, any Genelec SAM product can be incorporated into a system configurable from simple stereo to large, immersive formats of 40 channels and more. GLM also doubles as a Mac or PC-based monitor controller.
JBL One Series 104 Monitors
JBL has been on a run since the introduction years ago of the M2 Reference Monitor System, and now the JBL One Series 104 monitors include newly engineered JBL 4.5-inch coaxial drivers specially contoured using the same research that led to the revolutionary waveguide found in M2, 7-Series, and 3-Series monitors. The One Series includes integrated 60-watt Class D amplification that can drive to 104db SPL (peak). A front-panel headphone jack automatically mutes the speakers, providing isolation in one simple step, and dual 1/4-inch balanced and single 1/8-inch unbalanced TRS inputs accommodate a wide range of sources
Kii Three BXT
Like the Kii Three speakers, but wish they were floorstanding? Your wish has been granted. The BXT is an extension module that turns the Kii Three into a floor standing loudspeaker with 16 additional drivers. The Kii Three BXT System is combines a line source with horizontal directivity control and makes full use of the Kii Three’s technology, but adds more frequency range and SPL while still being a cardioid system that does not interact with the room. Existing Kii Threes can be upgraded at any time with the BXT. The Kii Threes will detect the presence of a BXT and automatically adjust the software accordingly.
KRK Rokit Generation 4
KRK made a splash with the release of the fourth generation of its popular and mega-selling ROKIT studio monitors. Improvements include all system elements cohesively designed and engineered to work with the advanced drivers made with Kevlar, efficient Class D power amplifiers and front-firing port to extend accurate and tight bass reproduction. ROKIT G4s also include onboard room tuning, with 25 visual room-correction EQ combinations. The G4 range includes RP5 (5-inch), RP7 (7-inch) and RP8 (8-inch) models for nearfield monitoring, and the RP103 configuration, which adds a 4.5-inch midrange woofer and 1-inch tweeter for midfield monitoring. The RP103 also features a horizontal mode that aligns the mid-woofer and tweeter vertically for more precise listening accuracy.
PMC IB2S
The PMC IB2S is based on the popular IB1S with one major change to the driver compliment — the addition of the PMC 75 large soft dome mid range unit. This addition increases the definition and clarity to the level of the larger monitors in the range with no increase in cabinet size. Unlike previous iterations, the IB2S-AII and IB2S XBD-AII feature a pair of 3U rack mounted electronics per channel that contain DSP-controlled Class-D amplification delivering 2025W for the single cabinet IB2S-AII and 3225W for the IB2S XBD-AII twin cabinet version. This increase in power lowers distortion and benefits the monitors with greater bass definition, attack and extended headroom. Housing the electronics off-board means that usability is significantly increased, especially when soffit mounting. Once installed there is no need to access their rear panels as all control of the monitor can be made via the RJ45 connect table-top remote.
