Outline unveils EIDOS and numerous other world previews at Frankfurt’s Musikmesse

2010 will be another year for launching new products and world previews for Outline: in fact, there will be a series of products and innovations that the Italian manufacturer will exhibit in its stand at Frankfurt’s “Prolight+Sound” (stand F80, hall 8.0) from March 24^th to 27^th.

 

The new products involve a vast range of categories in the sound reinforcement world. They go from an infra-sub with very high transduction efficiency (the LAB 21 HS SP) through a 3D acoustic simulation software package able to import dxf files (OPENARRAY) to new amplifiers fitted with a USB interface and processor (DPA Series). Even more unique on the international scenario the Mini-COM.P.A.S.S. VLA is now equipped with i-Mode technology and designed to offer “Power over Ethernet”. Outline is also unexpectedly unveiling EIDOS, an original series of loudspeaker enclosures conceived for fixed installations.

 

The Flero company is pleased to announce that in Frankfurt visitors will be able to listen to its Butterfly and Mantas VLA in the special outdoor demo area, called Concert Sound Area (CSA 06, F 130).

 

Outline also informs that it has updated general catalogue and prepared specific brochures product (Butterfly and Mantas), soon available in pdf format on the firm’s Web site www.outline.it.

 

EIDOS

 

Conceived and manufactured to provide clients an initial approach to the world of Outline products, the EIDOS series is the result of the desire to offer an even wider public the quality and distinctive lines that have made the Brescia brand a reference point in the sound reinforcement world at international level.

 

At the moment, there are four models in the EIDOS range (but there will eventually be seven) equipped respectively with 10, 12 and 15 inch speakers, and a subwoofer with twin 15 inch speakers. The ideal field of application of the units is in the wide variety of so-called permanent installations (clubs, lounge bars, pubs, music-cafés, theatres, conference rooms, stores, shopping centres and malls,…).

 

The lines of all the cabinets enable them to be also used as stage monitors.

The wide-range models – EIDOS 10, EIDOS 12 and EIDOS 15 – are two-way units fitted with a passive crossover manufactured with top grade components (coils with very low resistance and metallized polypropylene capacitors).

 

The compression driver (with 1-inch diaphragm) and the waveguide are the same on all three. The latter (90° x 60°), offers a great advantage for installation in small rooms or those with low headroom, as it can be rotated through 90° to ensure the required dispersion no matter what position the cabinet is installed in (horizontal or vertical). The mouth’s ample dimensions ensure remarkable directivity control.

 

The quality of the transducers gives excellent sonic performance when compared with the price bracket, in terms of overall timbre quality and, as far as the ability to handle high power is concerned, without been afflicted by annoying distortion phenomena.

 

The EIDOS 215 subwoofer is equipped with 15 inch long-throw loudspeakers that are also fitted with demodulating rings, in order to handle (peak) power values that exceed the loudspeakers’ (electrical) power capacity. 

The cabinets of the EIDOS series, fully respecting the high quality standards to which Outline users are accustomed, are built in 15mm (phenolic-glued) birch plywood and included bracing to dampen internal resonance. There is no lack of flying points (including the sub) of the metric screw type (M8 thread), enabling them to be easily fitted with flying hardware.

 

The high-end reproduction, great directivity control (in spite of the dimensions), astonishing headroom and impeccable finish will help EIDOS become one of the Italian manufacturer’s best sellers.

 

Mini-COM.P.A.S.S. with Outline i-Mode technology and “Power over Ethernet”

 

The well known Mini-COM.P.A.S.S., the only self-powered compact VLA on the international market offering variable directivity (from 60° to 150°), now incorporates the exclusive i-Mode (Intelligent Loudspeaker Platform) technology  presented in September 2009 and for which Outline provides in-depth details on its Web site www.outline.it.

 

In a few words, thanks to its powerful on-board PC/server, Mini-COM.P.A.S.S. is controllable via Web applications, ensuring “universal” access (Microsoft Windows, Apple MAC, Linux, etc.).

 

Every parameter of the loudspeaker system, even the most complex, can be set via Web browser. The powerful i-Mode audio architecture – which features digital audio inputs and outputs – enables to eliminate all other devices (common DSP, matrices etc.) normally used to control loudspeaker enclosures, thus in fact establishing a new reference point.

 

Moreover, the Mini-COM.P.A.S.S. – and this makes it even more unique at international level – is ready to offer “Power over Ethernet”: in fact, it is possible to provide the power supply for a series of accessories (e.g. display, potentiometers, levels, etc.) with just an Ethernet cable.

 

All these features, concentrated in a single product that in itself is as innovative as the Mini-COM.P.A.S.S., fully respect the mission Outline set itself over ten years ago, which can be summed up with a phrase that is very brief and to the point: “from a PC to speaker enclosures” or “from a mixer to speaker enclosures”.

 

LAB 21 HS SP

 

The self-powered version of the LAB 21 infra-sub (also available in a passive version), equipped with a 21-inch woofer able to handle (peak) power levels of 8,000 Watts. The addition of the abbreviation “HS” (High Strength) indicates the exceptional sturdiness of the cabinet, able to stand up to the high stress involved in live use, as well as ensuring an unbeatable acoustic response in terms of precision on the infra-low frequencies.

 

Considered as an overall system, the LAB 21 HS SP ensures very high electro-acoustic transduction efficiency, thanks to its excellent integration of the various domains: electrical (power), mechanical and acoustic.

 

The coordination of these aspects - electrical, mechanical and acoustic - along with feedback control of the output pressure by means of a powerful DSP enables maximum energy transfer and output power control that fully respects input signals’ dynamics.

 

In spite of the 600 litres occupied by the unit, end results can be summed up with the following figures: 148 dB at 1m (peak) for a frequency range from 23 to 165 Hz. The unit’s weight and measurements are also world records.

 

DPA Series (Digitally Processed Amplifier)

 

This series of Class D high efficiency power amplifiers (2/4 channels) is particularly versatile and manufactured with the most advanced technology at present available. All fitted with DSP (96 kHz) and USB interface, the DPA series power amplifiers are ideal for permanent installations and have an excellent quality:price ratio.

 

Two models are available (2/4 channels): DPA 1002 and DPA 1004, with a power of respectively 2 x 1250W @ 2 Ohms or 2500W (bridged) @ 4 Ohms (DPA 1002); 4 x 1250W @ 2 Ohms or 2 x 2500W (bridged) @ 4 Ohms (DPA 1004). Extremely light-weight and compact (9 kg, two 19” rack units) and universal operation (115V/230V +/-10%).

 

OPENARRAY 3D Software

 

3D acoustic modelling software package able to predict the acoustic results expected from a live show or permanent installation.

 

OPENARRAY uses “OpenGL”, the cross-platform standard for 3D computer graphics. The most interesting features of this program – conceived and written in Outline’s Brescia laboratories – include a higher computing speed when carrying out simulation and, consequently, rendering time (display of the result) is equally rapid.

 

OPENARRAY’s user files include those for the three VLA manufactured by Outline (Butterfly, Mini-COM.P.A.S.S. and Mantas), as well as the Subtech 218 and Micra II. Those for the point-source systems and the rest of the product range will soon also be available.

 

OPENARRAY provides sound designers another precious feature: the ability to directly import dxf files (a standard CAD data file format), with the obvious benefits this gives. This and many other special characteristics make OPENARRAY an even more exclusive product on the international scenario.

 

Please note Outline’s coordinates at Prolight+Sound: Stand F80 (Hall 8.0) and F130 (CSA 06) for the outdoor demos in the Concert Sound Area.