The Yamaha Installation Series is the result of a collaboration with Audio Composite Engineering (ACE) and its highly respected acoustic engineer Michael Adams, retained by Yamaha to realize the product concepts of Yamaha's legendary speaker engineer, Akira Nakamura. Adams is currently vice president at ACE, and has more than three decades of experience as a speaker designer and mixing engineer. He has designed all the touring systems for international sound reinforcement company Sound Image, including the proprietary G-5 composite systems.
Installation Series models include 12" and 15" full range 2- and 3-way loudspeakers; horn-loaded mid/high loudspeakers; single and dual 8" 2-way loudspeakers; a dual 5" full-range; plus a single 15", a single 18", dual 15" and 18" subwoofers. Cabinets can be stacked, arrayed or hung, and multi-angled cabinets can also be used as floor monitors.
Uniform phase response throughout the entire series enables users to mix and match any number or type of speakers without hot spots and dead areas due to interference and cancellation. Custom, rotatable horns were also developed to enhance high frequency dispersion and response, particularly where space consideration dictates speaker orientation. The series includes a selection of horn coverage patterns designed for ideal long-range, short-range and long/short-range throw applications.
Connections include a barrier strip and dual Neutrik NL4 connectors (3-way models include Neutrik NL8 connectors). A mode selector switch offers a choice of bi-amp, (passive) single-amp, tri-amp, parallel or discrete operation, depending upon cabinet type. Constructed of high density Finn Birch, cabinet exteriors feature textured black or white (designated with the prefix W) finishes, and may be painted to incorporate into any environment. Full dado joint construction minimizes cabinet vibration, while foam-backed, 14-guage perforated steel grilles offer additional component protection. The Installation Series is built at Yamaha's Thomaston, Ga. factory, and reflects the same construction precision and rigorous specifications found in the company's fine pianos.
(Lee Baldock)
