With this in mind, the challenge facing Fohhn engineers has been how to successfully integrate two speakers, an amplifier, power supply, DSP processors and three connectors for power, audio and networking into increasingly compact loudspeaker housing, without compromising on performance or quality.
The additional expense and aesthetic problems resulting from having to fit three different cable harnesses to each compact loudspeaker have also proved an issue. However, detailed research by the Fohhn development team has culminated in a solution that is significantly more than just another active loudspeaker system: FIAD is a fully digital networkable system comprising a master input/output module and digital FIAD active loudspeakers that are connected to the master module via a single Cat 5/Cat 7 cable.
The basic FIAD system offers a range of active loudspeakers (tops and subs), each equipped with integral Class D amplifiers (2 x 300W), DSPs, RJ-45 input and output connectors, plus signal LEDs for Status, Communication and Sign. The FIAD Master unit has digital audio inputs (AES/EBU), digital FIAD-NET outputs, a central power supply feeding the active loudspeakers and Fohhn-Net connections for remotely controlling all connected FIAD-NET devices via laptop and Fohhn Audio Soft, FR-10 wall panel or touch panel.
To ensure faultless transmission of digital audio signals from a computer to the FIAD system without any reduction in quality, Fohhn's new A-2 live digital audio interface provides a perfect solution. The high quality, 2-channel USB interface has galvanically isolated AES/EBU digital outputs with XLR connection, ensuring that interference, hum, poor transfer quality and low output levels can be avoided.
(Jim Evans)
