Lab.gruppen's compact and efficient E Series of power amplifiers offers traditional Lab.gruppen performance to a market highly concerned with spiralling global energy prices and environmental pressures. The E Series provides ample power reserves with low power consumption, therefore reducing the total cost of ownership below that of conventional designs. E Series utilises much of the unique design philosophy and energy-efficient concepts debuted in the Swedish company's flagship PLM 20000Q touring amplifier, but here deployed in a 1U, install-centric platform.
The new range draws on over three decades of tour-honed design and manufacturing expertise to deliver a unique combination of performance, rock-solid reliability and energy-efficiency. Nevertheless, pricing will be highly competitive, says the company.
The E Series comprises three two-channel power amplifiers, all incorporating Lab.gruppen's IDEEA (IntelliDrive Energy Efficient Amplifier) technologies. All are housed in 1U cabinets, weigh less than 5 kg (11 pounds), and feature universal power supplies for operation anywhere in the world.
Nominal output power ratings per channel (@ 4 ohms or 70 V) are 600 W, 400 W, and 200 W for, respectively, the E 12:2, E 8:2, and E 4:2. However, significantly higher per-channel outputs are possible with asymmetrical loading and proper setting of Lab.gruppen's proprietary Rail Sensing Limiter (RSL).
Certified as Energy Star 2.1 compliant, E Series power amplifiers are highly efficient both in terms of net operating efficiency and typical current draw. In this respect, the power-to-current-draw ratio for burst signals with 1/8th average power is 400 W output for 1 A of line current at 120 V mains - a performance characteristic matched only by the PLM 20000Q. Reduced power consumption in both operational and non-operational cycles results in lower long-term cost of ownership - a key 'sellable' advantage for contractors and a tangible benefit for end-users, says the company. Control via third-party systems is enabled via GPIO, and build quality is robust in the Lab.gruppen tradition.
"E Series offers the Lab.gruppen hallmarks of reliability, performance and ease of use at a much more accessible price point for the install market," said Klas Dalbjorn, Product Research Manager for Lab.gruppen. "The energy efficient performance made possible by our new IDEEA technologies means that overall cost of ownership, including lifetime energy consumption, is considerably lower than other products aimed at this market, providing contractors with real, bottom line benefits to their customers and client base."
E Series incorporates a number of brand new technological developments from Lab.gruppen, including Rail Sensing Limiter (RSL), a two position switch to allow selection of either Hi-Z (100 V all models) or Lo-Z (40 V - 69.3 V model dependent) as output thresholds. The RSL switch circuit senses rail voltage and optimizes output for instantaneous load conditions. It also allows for continued operation with fluctuating mains down to below 60 V AC. RSL setting also configures outputs for asymmetric loading. As an example, this allows users to achieve optimum performance and efficiency with a small subwoofer connected to one channel and a 70 V distributed system (such as ceiling loudspeakers) to the other. "Overall, this makes E Series extremely flexible for systems designers, allowing a single 1U device to fulfil multiple roles in a system, whereas with conventional amplifiers separate units would be required," the company adds.
Visit Lab.gruppen on Stand 1-C14 at PLASA 2011 to see the E Series in person.
(Claire Beeson)
