Leverage

A high-performance sound system requires components from a number of manufacturers to achieve the best quality of sound for the least cost. Part of this process is the involvement of someone who can match the needs of the end user with the most suitable product in each stage of the system. Rare was the case that a single manufacturer could produce a complete mic-to-loudspeaker solution in applications beyond basic commercial installations.

Over the last decade an unprecedented number of significant pro-audio companies were purchased by larger companies to form multi-brand conglomerates. As a witness to this process, I expected an integration of the product's capabilities to produce a comprehensive and integrated line of audio equipment. Instead, there was a tendency for the audio conglomerates to produce incompatible computer control systems in a broad range of overlapping, and even competing products. In some cases, the product lines were stripped of all but the most lucrative (we suppose) products, which were then re-badged and sold through a, now confused, dealer network. It seemed like all the worst things that common ownership could bring, but few of the benefits.

Then JBL announces their new EVO System. Physical evidence that the highly specialized companies within the Harman International group of companies can work together to produce an integrated product. The EVO system combines the technologies produced by AKG, BSS, Lexicon, Soundcraft and JBL to achieve an all-in-one sound reinforcement system. Of course, this wouldn't be very interesting if it were just a package of gear that merely hid the other brand name products under a JBL label. However, the EVO approach pushes into new territory, while also extending the integration of conventional items, such as wireless mic receivers, mixers, and amplifiers into concise packages. Sensibly, the auto-adjusting loudspeakers are not intended for cluster configurations, but for the less difficult single, stereo pair or distributed loudspeaker system configurations.

The intent of the initial products in this new range of JBL systems is the complete sound system for small to medium size venues. From the community hall to the mid-sized church, the system offers a basic configuration of components in package that includes the transducers and everything in-between. While this has been offered before from products produced for the music industry; JBL takes the next logical step by integrating an automated system processor in each loudspeaker. This processing is available for setup from a laptop, for the more sophisticated installer, but can also be used with the supplied measurement microphone to perform an automatic setup.

In previous columns I have voiced my reservations regarding automated equalization. I remain skeptical that this new "smart" loudspeaker can overcome the obstacles that prevent optimization, which are caused by common misunderstandings regarding the location of the test mic, loudspeaker or intervening room acoustics. It is a significant step forward to produce a loudspeaker that is "conscious" of the measurement microphone. This can prevent optimization errors, such as equalizing the system with more than one loudspeaker on, it remains to be seen whether it can prevent excessive equalization due to the measurement mic being positioned poorly. Because the loudspeaker processors are actively involved in the optimization and (presumably) communicate between the loudspeakers, it should be possible to prevent obvious errors, such trying to EQ with the measurement mic in front of the wrong loudspeaker.

The measurement microphone is also used for setting signal delays within each loudspeaker, when they are used in distributed systems, such as balcony fills. It is unclear whether the automated setting of signal delays will coincide with the direct sound (causing extreme comb filter effects in all but one seat) or with a Haas Effect interval added to minimize the audibility of the in-fill loudspeaker. We can, at least, assume that a time-domain measurement is done by the automated system that is, in itself, a tremendous step forward from the RTA that most small-system installers use to equalize a loudspeaker system.

The computer control component of this system sends data overlaid on the line level audio signal. This allows a conventional XLR cable to connect between mixer and powered loudspeaker. However, it is yet another proprietary computer control format, incompatible with other Harman International companies producing computer control products and with the industry at large. This control system allows the loudspeakers to be used with a free-standing controller, instead of the one integrated into the mixer, for systems where a more sophisticated mixing system is required. A network of these loudspeakers can be configured centrally, yet use conventional audio cable and power connections to each loudspeaker.

This is only the first in a new series of components that form integrated sound reinforcement systems. It will be interesting to see more of their technologies be leveraged by this major force in the audio business to produce innovative solutions to the needs of the sound reinforcement industry.

United Entertainment Media Inc.
460 Park Avenue South, 9th Floor
New York, NY, 10016
Ph. 212-378-0400
FAX 212-378-2160

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