The Qi-Series, based on d&b's popular Q-Series products, includes loudspeakers and specialized accessories that can be properly colour matched to interior designs, are mechanically adapted for installation use and can be protected for climatically hostile environments. Five loudspeaker types make up the Series; the Qi1, Qi7 and Qi10 that are passively crossed over two-way loudspeakers sharing the same physical size, shape, weight and driver compliment (a 1.3" exit HF and two 10" LF drivers), while the Qi-SUB and QiCSA-SUB are bass-reflex designs utilizing a high excursion 18" driver. The Qi1 HF driver is fitted with a toroidal wave-shaping device; the resulting 75 degree x 15 degree (h x v) dispersion pattern produces a curved coherent wave front allowing vertical line arrays to be constructed.
The Qi7 and Qi10 loudspeakers respectively have a rotatable 75 degree x 40 degree and 110 degree x 40 degree (h x v) conventional constant directivity horn and may be deployed as single units or in columns with Qi1s and Qi-SUBs. The Qi1, Qi7 and Qi10 individually weigh 21kg but achieve maximum output levels of 139, 138 and 137 dB SPL respectively.
A Cardioid Subwoofer Array (CSA) of Qi subwoofers was also displayed. CSA is a method to increase directivity at low frequencies by merely turning the middle subwoofer in an array of three, or a multiple of three, to face backwards and selecting the CSA setting in the D12 amplifier to drive it. The award winning D12 two-channel amplifier is specifically designed for use with d&b loudspeakers. It has digital signal processing incorporated, as well as analog and digital signal inputs. In line with the company's complete system approach, the D12 amplifier was presented with the latest ROPE C remote control software. Running on a PC, ROPE C can easily monitor and control the features contained in both d&b's D12 and E-PAC power amplifiers.
Simon Johnston, d&b's marketing director commented: "It was positively spring like in Paris, which enhanced the upbeat mood of SIEL and made a great setting for the airing of our new Qi-Series installation loudspeakers. The vibrant colour options chosen for the loudspeakers on display made quite a fashion statement, but more importantly generated a considerable amount of interest emphasising an ability to satisfy the most eclectic tastes, even ours."
(Sarah Rushton-Read)
