Wharfedale have launched a range of trapezoidal enclosures designed to meet the requirements of high output, near field reproduction. The two-way ported, compact Programme 50, 52 and 60 foreground/background systems provide a wide frequency range, coupled with high power handling in an attractive, acoustically-efficient enclosure. The series offers four different versions, with black or white paint finish options (and with 70V/100V line transformer versions depending on markets).
The Programme 50 features a 5.5" woofer and 3/4" titanium driver, the Programme 52 features a pair of woofers and 3/4" titanium driver while the Programme 60 features two 6.5" woofers and a 1" titanium compression driver/horn, with 60° x 60° coverage. The HF horn/driver combination generates over 10 times the usable acoustic energy of a conventional dome radiator, giving the system significantly greater output capability and headroom. The trapezoidal design allows multiple enclosures to be arrayed for broader coverage (e.g. an array of four Programme 60 will give a smooth 180° coverage pattern).
Also new from Wharfedale Pro is a pair of highly-specified, utility portable systems - aimed at both the professional and inexperienced user. EZGO 10-100 and EZGO 12-200 are simple to operate, complete packages, comprising a pair of speakers and a mixer/amplifier control unit which lock effortlessly together in a convenient lightweight package. A pole-mount top hat is supplied, and a storage compartment is provided in the mixer/amplifier head unit for speaker and mic cables, AC mains leads etc. No other accessories are required.
The EZGO 10/100 contains two speaker enclosures, each with a 10" woofer and purpose-built electro-dynamic HF drive units, while the 12/200 packs two speakers with 12" drive units and the same HF section, extending the frequency range to 40Hz-20kHz and increasing the power output of its smaller brother from 70W continuous (140W programme) to 125W continuous (250W programme). The brain of the system is the EPM-610 electronics suite - built into the top box - which protects the powered, 6-input mixer and cables. The EPM-610 power section is a professionally-rated amplifier, designed for dynamic and demanding applications.
The third new product is a powered version of the popular LA-15 series stack. The LA-15, 15" two-way, full-range loudspeaker was launched last year to meet demanding professional applications requiring both sonic quality and integrity. It was designed to be run with the LA-15PB, the matched enclosures constructed in high-density polypropylene ‘acoustic resin’, to provide sonically inert enclosures able to withstand the rigours of constant live work. A full understanding of the dynamic requirements for these systems has directed the design and matching of the overall system. Speaker components; woofer, compression driver, active and passive dynamics processing and amplifier topology are all now designed into a complementary working ‘system’.
(Ruth Rossington)
