ISE 2023 THE TEN BEST LAUNCHES

With ISE 2023 behind us, we tot up the cream of the crop in the audio sphere, from SPL-calculating software, state of the art advancements in line array loudspeaker tech, to the very own Jean-Michel Jarre, unveiling a state-of-theart, multi-sensory innovation. By Andy Price.

This year’s ISE brought both thrilling new leaps forward and further refinements of existing tech. Held at Fira, Barcelona for the third time, the expo united towering brands from the video, audio, networking, IT and electronic systems integration worlds, while keeping a focus on key industry concerns and trends via conferences and learning events.

Among the gamut of new releases, the following ten we felt were particularly noteworthy. Here’s why…

10 Tascam Portacapture X6

The recording heavyweights’ latest upgrade to their multitrack recorder line is equipped with 32-bit floating point recording technology and a dazzling touchscreen. The Portacapture x6’s two in-built microphones can be set to both AB and XY configurations, while an XLR input allows for external microphone integration. High sampling rates capture audio up to 96kHz across its four plus two audio tracks. As is typical with Tascam’s digital recorders, under the hood low-cut filtering and noise gating eradicate problem frequencies, while an included audio interface allows the device to be used as a portable mixer. With an RRP of £349, The Portacapture x6 is able to be deployed for a wide range of purposes, including podcasting, field recording, voice capture and music mixing.

9

ALLEN & HEATH AHM AND I/O OPTIONS

Among the wide range of audio install offerings at the Allen & Heath booth included audio metric processors, Dante interfaces and the latest iteration of their Custom Control software. Also on display were A&H’s acclaimed array of 96kHz live sound and installation mixers, including the Avantis, dLive and SQ consoles. Several Dante equipped audio expanders, part of A&H’s Everything I/O line, were also being demonstrated. But it was the brand new AHM series of Audio Matrix Processors, designed for boardrooms, colleges, and hospitality-type environments, that stole the show, as well as their respective touch panels and controllers.

8

MEYER SOUND PANTHER 2100 LFC SUB

Augmenting the Panther large-format line array speakers that Meyer revealed at last year’s ISE, Meyer Sound’s 2100 LFC sub melds a Class D amplifier with a brand new 21-inch, four-voice coil-sporting driver. Designed to bolster not just the Panther, but the whole spectrum of Meyer’s live speaker line, the 2100 LFC Sub, is an impressive choice for dynamic range at volume, with a frequency response covering 30 to 150 Hz. Improving on the 1100 LFC in all aspects bar weight, this new sub-bass unit is sure to bring the beef. “We are excited to continue to push the boundaries of performance. The 2100-LFC will be in the same performance class as the 1100-LFC in a lighter, more compact package. The extended frequency response gives 35 percent extra usable range. “This launch continues to take our new products into the future” explained Engineering Director (Acoustical & Mechanical), Katharine Murphy Khulusi.

7 Genelec Smart Ip

The studio monitor titans brought several new additions to their revolutionary Smart IP networked loudspeaker family to the ISE table this year. Allowing for clean networking and control for the range of equipped models. In tandem with the linked Smart IP software, these new AV speakers - the in-ceiling 4335A and the hanging pendant model 4436A - mark a significant expansion for Genelec into the installation sector, with the 4436A being the company’s very first pendant design. These new speakers bolster the now four-year old Smart IP range that already includes three well-regarded models and its increasingly sophisticated software, which can be controlled via mobile.

6

FUNKTION-ONE COMPACT RANGE

UK-based Funktion-One chose this year’s ISE to be the launchpad for their newly overhauled Compact Range speakers. The new speaker models include new high frequency driver technology and refinements to the acclaimed line. Models include the F5.2, F81.2, F101.2 and F1201.2, alongside the SB8A and SB10A self-powered bass enclosures. The new driver and porting technology that the improved range sports came as a result of focused R&D during the pandemic, but all existing installation accessories for the previous iteration of the range are fully compatible with the new versions. “We’ve kept to the same design philosophy of not trying to force a small speaker to do bass and focusing on the mid-range. To achieve a full range system, we have developed complementary selfpowered, compact bass speakers. This gives us our signature Funktion-One mid-range clarity and definition, along with engaging low frequencies.” Says Acoustic Design Engineer James Hipperson.

5

Void Acoustics Arclite

Marking the company’s 20th year, Void Acoustics brought half a dozen new products to this year’s show. Of particular note; the Arclite array-able point source loudspeaker. Tailored for the touring industry, this new ultra-precise loudspeaker can be paired with Void’s previously released 218 and 118 subs. The ultraconfigurable loudspeaker allows for the tuning of dispersion and SPL levels and provides full summation up to 20kHz. Other launches in the Void-verse include the new Air 15 fibreglass subwoofer and the commercial install-aimed Cyclone 208 and Venu 208i subwoofers, as well as the stand-alone Inca 500 amplifier for residential and commercial installs.

4

Pioneer Pro Audio Xprs2

A collaboration with Pioneer DJ, Pioneer Pro Audio’s XPRS2 series of active loudspeakers and subwoofers expand on the success of the original XPRS range with an increased sound performance, audio clarity that is a solid choice for DJs, live sound professional and large commercial venues. The new range brings with it a new set of active loudspeakers and subwoofers, including the 10” 2-way XPRS102 and the 12” 2-way XPRS122 full-range speakers and the 15” XPRS1152S and 18” XPRS1182S subs. The full-range speakers include four DSP presets, Live, Music, Speech and Floor Monitor which scale to specific applications, while the subwoofers sport three presets of their own, Boost, Extended LF and Normal.

3

D&B AUDIOTECHNIK HEADROOM CALC

Many eyes were drawn to d&b audiotechnik’s Headroom Calc software. Able to predict the reaction of a d&b system to a specific audio signal, and finely adjusting the SPL and headroom requirements for each and every situation. This update (V11) to the company’s existing ArrayCalc simulation software, can tackle DSP limiter-based nonlinear processing impacts. The software provides major insight for those choosing the perfect system for their venue/space and helps with making sure that speakers comply with those all-important health and safety regulations. The company also claims that this Headroom Calc offers the most precise SPL and headroom calculations out there.

2 Coda Audio Space

The partnership between Jean-Michel Jarre and CODA Audio was a major talking point at this year’s ISE. Ahead of a series of fully immersive shows, which will rely on CODA’s 360 degree N-RAY system in a 16.1 configuration, Jarre and CODA exhibited SPACE by CODA at Barcelona. This new panel-shaped concept fuses AV tech with the art world, resulting in a multi sensory experience. Melding 3D Audio, a 4K projector, ambient lighting and specialised acoustic treatment, each SPACE panel brings sound quality beyond that of typical cabinet loudspeakers.

1 Martin Audio Torus 8

One of the biggest draws was Martin Audio’s latest addition to the TORUS line, the two-way TORUS 8 (T820) augments the constant curvature loudspeaker array family with a model designed for small-to-medium scale applications that don’t need the extra power required for longer-throw line arrays. This new addition is best used as an array element in vertical curvature arrays, or as a single pointsource loudspeaker. Martin Audio were giddy about the release, with managing director Dom Harter saying “2023 is going to be one of our most prolific years ever for new launches and so we are delighted to announce the first of our new products in TORUS 8 and its cardioid subwoofer partner, SXCF115. The overwhelming success of the existing TORUS 12 and subwoofer partner, SXCF118, gives us great confidence that these latest releases will be snapped up by system integrators and rental partners alike.”