BEAUTY AND BRAINS

Are colinear source loudspeakers the ultimate solution for audio installs? L-Acoustics Creations argues they might be.

Having demonstrated its Syva colinear source loudspeakers at EI Live! last month, L-Acoustics Creations has recently unveiled Soka, a more compact and affordable colinear model, designed for residential and smaller commercial installations where interior design considerations and the ability of speakers to be heard but not seen are top of mind.

Colinear speakers are derived from the pro audio world where line array loudspeakers rule in larger venues. “These loudspeakers are ideally suited to premium domestic and commercial audio applications, particularly those installations juggling restricted space and cosmetic considerations,” affirms Nick Fichte, Global Sales Director at L-Acoustics Creations.

L-Acoustics larger Syva colinear source loudspeaker provided the technological inspiration for Soka, an ultra-shallow column loudspeaker for on-wall or in-wall installation. At just 99mm wide and 99mm deep, Soka sinks handily into the dimensions of standard construction materials. The design leverages the proven expertise of L-Acoustics in line source loudspeaker technology, integrating nine 3.5in midrange drivers and three 1in highfrequency transducers into a vertical column.

In a line-array column, identical loudspeaker elements mounted act together as a single, coherent source to send out powerful sound pressure waves with a wider and more evenly distributed dispersion pattern than traditional point-source drivers. In the Soka design, this translates to a super-wide 140° horizontal dispersion pattern, controlled 26° vertical dispersion and an exceptional 130 dB maximum SPL using the dedicated residential preset. This performance comes from a cabinet just over 1m tall and is discreet enough to work in even the most aesthetically sensitive installations.

Combined with the new SB6i subwoofer, Soka offers strong dynamics and an exceptionally broad sound field to create a wide sweet spot in the room, says the maker. The narrow vertical dispersion pattern reduces inroom sound colouration from floor and ceiling reflections and the maximum SPL capability brings all the visceral and emotional impact of live music to media in the home, adds L-Acoustics Creations.

The compact SB6i utilises two state-ofthe-art 6.5in neodymium LF drivers and the L-Acoustics Laminar Vent technology found in the company’s concert-grade reference subwoofers, makes SB6i one of the most powerful ultra-compact subwoofers on the market. The 4ohm enclosure can operate down to 29Hz and produce as much as 114dB.

The company argues and SB6i are ideal as the main music system in residential, commercial, luxury, and hospitality spaces, combining pro audio performance with audiophile sound reproduction. Their footprint and elegant form factor combined with concert-grade dynamics are well adapted to vocal and music reinforcement in architectural settings, corporate spaces, churches, museums, or artistic performances. The ultrawide horizontal directivity and throw capacity of up to 35m also make Soka a strong solution for L-ISA Immersive or other spatial audio deployments such as an Atmos compliant media room.

Soka installation can be as simple as on-wall mounting using L-Acoustics range of dedicated accessories, or integrated into the wall for flush surface fitting. Both Soka and SB6i are rated IP55 for ingress protection, ensuring that they can be installed indoors, outdoors, or in areas with challenging environmental conditions.

Compared to traditional on-wall or in-wall loudspeakers, a colinear loudspeaker and subwoofer combination offers a much wider sound field and considerably higher maximum SPL, in a much more compact and easy-toinstall form factor, argues the company. The benefits of colinear loudspeaker technology have long been established in the pro audio and commercial installation sectors, and argues L-Acoustics Creations, the new Soka and SB6i combination brings the technology, performance and ease of installation benefits to an ever-wider range of audio projects.