Speakers and Headphones at NAMM 2015
January 2015 – At the NAMM 2015 show in Anaheim, Playback for the studio and stage was a major portion of the show. Starting with the Artist Relations event that was held before NAMM, companies like Tectonic Audio labs were showing their stage and venue products. Tectonic Audio Labs was in the performance area for the off-site event and had a stage setup with their Distributed Mode Loudspeakers.
Tectonic Audio Labs Flat Panel Speaker
These loudspeakers feature several technology innovations to simplify the use for live and arena performance on top of the high efficiency driver for the graphene panels. Available in two sizes a 60”x22” panel and a 36”x22” panel, both of which are only 2.9” deep. The speakers can be mounted either vertically or horizontally and present a constant volume over the full volumetric profile of the venue. The DML’s excite over a large surface area at up to a six-octave frequency range that radiates audio in a very wide and diffuse manner. The panels have a cross-over at about 70Hz so it is compatible with most standard sub-woofer systems. For the high end, they add a large-format HF ribbon and a shallow wave-guide to assure high frequency fidelity.
The panels can be mounted using standard VESA mounts, so video walls and these panels can use the same rigging equipment. The large surface area and volumetric coverage allows a venue to use smaller single frame rigging rather than dual frame, as the 60” panels are only 98lbs each. Because of the design of the speakers and the imaging characteristics, the speakers can be placed transparently behind video walls to allow for cleaner stage designs. This technology is a major step forward as flat panel speakers, and especially the elimination of the 3rd order harmonic distortion. Technical details on the DML theory and implementation can be found in a series of papers presented at past AES events at http://www.tectonicaudiolabs.com/library.
Moving to the smaller size, Gibson’s Pro Audio has introduced a Les Paul branded Reference Monitor for Studios. The monitors are available in 4”, 6” and 8” size and in three finishes: cherry, cherry burst and tobacco burst. The active monitors are a next step in their monitor line in order to bear the Les Paul Branding. The 2-way speaker configuration (for the 6” monitor) features a 1″ Diamond-like carbon-coated titanium tweeter for high frequency and a 6″ non-woven carbon Woofer for Low Frequency. This gives the system a Frequency Range (-10dB) of 37Hz – 47kHz with a Crossover Frequency of 2.7kHz.
Gibson Les Paul Refernce Monitors
While there was a lot of skepticism at the show regarding the coloration and materials in the monitors, in a listening room/studio configuration the speakers work well. As compared to other “plain black with ABS case” monitors, these have a true response back, are very responsive and highly repeatable on playback even when operating on a 24/7 basis. A number of the home studio model monitors, that are in the marketplace cannot match the specifications and low distortion levels as well as high SPL levels of these speakers, which properly places them in the pro-audio category. While the styling may be different from the traditional “machine colored” studio gear, the performance of the product speaks well for the brand and the function.
Stepping down again in size are the new MoFi headphones from Blue Microphones. This is an audiophile targeted product that has an integrated analog amplifier to drive the headphones with clean sound, low distortion and an active headband design that creates a functional and long wearing fit. The design has an adjustable tension knob with automated spring adjustment of the width and height of the ear cups. The headphones are designed to go from Studio level work all the down to commuter listening on mobile players. A unique feature of these headphones is the absence of DSP and digital amplifiers The analog amp give a clean full band gain with almost no 3rd harmonic distortion while enhancing the low end of the listening range. Without the amp, the headphones operate in traditional passive mode.
Blue Microphones MoFi Headphones
The MoFi product is available now is targeting the multi-function listening market place of commuting, listening for relaxation & pleasure and for studio recording and mixing work. The headphones are designed as a two-ear use model, so they are not DJ optimized.
