Designed specifically for the concert touring and large-scale installation market, and first shown at the Prolight+Sound in 2010, Alcons Audio has now concluded LR24s initial beta phase.
Since then, the Alcons' R&D team has worked very hard to produce what is seen as the holy grail of sound reinforcement: HiFi sound quality at concert sound pressure levels. This has now been achieved.
One of Alcons Audio's strengths is the development of its own acoustics, mid/high frequency transducers, amplified electronics and processing. The pièce de résistance of the LR24 is the newly developed, multiple-patented pro-ribbon transducer for the reproduction of mid and high frequencies.
Philip 'Dr. Phil' de Haan, co-founder and head of Alcons Audio R&D, explains, "A long time ambition was to see how far we could take our pro-ribbon transducer technology, in terms of sheer power output. For the LR24 we purposely built the 02-platform and even more efficient than our evolutionary 01 platform."
The result is a 14" tall, single-diaphragm pro-ribbon with 14" voice-coil and, combined with a number of patent-pending developments, with up to 90% lower distortion and a flat frequency response beyond 20.000Hz at concert sound pressure levels.
Another crucial element is the new Sentinel amplified loudspeaker controller, which contains multiple processors, as well as four individual audiophile HiFi amplifier stages, totaling more than 10kW of power, directed by an integrated Linux micro-computer, under touch screen control.
"The completely linear response, the stunning resolution and dynamic response of this system, in combination with perfect throw capacities, will change the way engineers create their mix," says Alcons co-found Tom Back. "Even the most subtle details are now audible, becoming a relevant ingredient of the performance."
The LR24 is part of The Ribbon Network, Alcons' global rental network, for dry-hire cooperation between members, joint product development, information exchange and factory-direct support. The complete LR24 system contains six global patents and patent-applications.
Back continues, "Unlike our peers, we don't have an extensive user backbone in the live-sound/touring market. This enabled us to start with a blank piece of paper in terms of development, without any protocols or heritage to take into account. At the same time, it allows us to cater for the interest we receive from owners across all top brand systems.
"With the Launch Partner Programme, we enable a select group of forward-thinking users to get access to this technology at an earlier stage; these innovators will be part of the final development stage and we're inviting those who are interested in the program to get in touch with us."
(Jim Evans)
