The Xcellence series now comprises discrete concert sound and club sound ranges - branded Xcellence Touring and Xcellence Disco respectively; with models designated by a T or D suffix. The Xcellence Touring models are all self-powered with onboard DSP and network control features, while Xcellence Disco models are passive, featuring new "club orientated" styling and water repellent finish (for poolside installations in the Mediterranean, middle eastern and Asian markets), with standard black and grey colour scheme (custom colours schemes on request).
As well as the introduction of brand new models featuring revolutionary new drivers, the entire series has been revised, with improved driver designs and new best-in-class Class D amplifier modules (in the case of Touring models) enabling re-measurement and recalibration of the complete series. This has resulting in improved power handling and SPL performance, with accompanying reductions in cabinet volumes; as much as close to 20% on some models.
The new Xcellence Touring and Xcellence Disco models - the X14T full range cab, and X21T and X21D subs - employ new transducer designs. The high-end 14 inch coaxial driver and 21 inch oversized voice coil woofer provide altogether new performance standards, fully exploited in the design of these cabinets.
Completing the Xcellence line-up, the revamped X15T and X15D, 2-way 15 inch / high directivity horn, full range cabinets are more compact and lighter than before, and feature a new compression driver, while the X18T and X18D compact subs now come with further enhanced LF response. The popular X218W3K double 18 inch sub design - from the Xcellence line-array range - is also now available in a passive X218D configuration within the DISCO range; rated at 6.8kW.
Vice president and chief technical officer Joan Amate, states, "At Amate we are a R&D driven enterprise. We continually evaluate latest developments from leading suppliers of transducer designs and integrated electronics; both to investigate the possibilities for new product designs and their potential for uprating current product lines. We work closely with these companies to optimise new components for our specific design requirements, based on evaluation in our high quality test facilities.
"Upgrading any one component is evaluated in the context of its effect on total system performance, and the potential to recalibrate other design elements to maximise the performance advantage. Thus with the Xcellence series, not only have we introduced completely new models and variants for concert sound and club sound, we have also recalibrated existing cabinet designs to fully exploit enhanced transducer and advanced power amplification circuit design. This is a continual process for us across our product portfolio, and the reason why R&D represents 20 per cent of our entire workforce. For Amate Audio the performance advantage is the competitive advantage."
(Jim Evans)
