Coleridge Design Associates Introduces the aCUBE
Tech start-up, Coleridge Design Associates (CDA), has launched a new transparent speaker system that combines balanced modal radiator (BMR) technology with stylish looks, convenience, and affordability. The aCube BMR speaker design features an audio drive unit with an extended frequency.
The aCUBE uses 4.5” BMR full-range loudspeaker drivers, beautiful handmade clear cast acrylic 6.5” cube enclosures, and the Maxim Integrated Product’s latest Class-D amplifier technology.
The aCUBE’s use of clear-cast acrylic is more than aesthetical. It relates to the material’s functional capabilities: Acrylic possesses an inherent acoustic benefit, offering great sound quality and high internal damping that does not resonate and radiate sound as much as other materials (e.g., most plastics, wood, and aluminum).
Convenience is one of the main reasons users are turning to monophonic speakers. Although there are times when solo speakers are beneficial, the aCUBE proves that sound does not have to come at the cost of convenience.
Optional adaptors (e.g., Bluetooth, Apple Airplay, USB, and optical S/PDIF) enables the aCUBE to be used with a variety of smartphones, TVs, and PCs. An auto-off feature puts the system into Sleep mode after 1 to 2 min., waking instantly when audio appears.
Volume level control can be set once and left alone enabling the sound level to be controlled by the source device. This makes the aCUBE remote-control redundant. A portable option contains a travel case and battery back that uses supercapacitors. Pricing for aCUBE starts at $180. Visit www.kickstarter.com/projects/320792163/the-coleridge-design-acube-bmr-speaker-system for more information.
Leslie Named Renkus Heinz President
Renkus-Heinz has appointed Scott Leslie to the position of President. Leslie comes to Renkus-Heinz from JBL Professional, where he served as Vice President of Engineering. His deep industry background includes stints at a wide range of technology leaders including Sun Microsystems, Tektronix, and Altec Lansing. Leslie is also founder of Evidant Corp., providers of Business Intelligence for IT solutions, where he has held executive-level positions since 2002.
Leslie joins Renkus-Heinz as the company is experiencing unprecedented growth. Despite the economic downturn, Renkus-Heinz has seen a substantial surge in sales and has significantly grown its engineering staff. Leslie’s new position will see him spearheading the company’s continued expansion, working closely with company founder and chairman Harro Heinz.
SONEX Rondo Baffles Featured in sculpture
SONEX Rondo cylindrical baffles—designed to reduce reverberation and echo within indoor pools and other loud, noisy spaces—are the key component in a unique sculpture titled Splash!
The unprecedented sculpture was commissioned as part of the City of Miami Gardens’ Art in Public Places Program, a program which aims to bring art into the community. Artist Xavier Cortada originally envisioned a design composed of scattered pool noodles to resemble a splash of water on the ceiling of the Betty T. Ferguson Recreation Center Aquatic Facility, Miami Gardens, FL. The facility offers aquatic classes and swimming lessons where participants need to hear and understand instruction. Acoustical issues—common in most indoor pools—were addressed with the sculpture, which features 972 colored pinta acoustic SONEX Rondo baffles.
Class 1 fire-rated, SONEX Rondo baffles absorb sound across all frequencies, which prevent noise build up that interferes with speech intelligibility. pinta acoustic’s baffles are resistant to fungal and microbial growth and can withstand humid conditions characteristic of indoor swimming pools.
Vertical or horizontal applications are possible and provide design flexibility. SONEX Rondo cylindrical baffles are available in standard 24” (610-mm) lengths with 6” (152-mm) diameters or custom size. SONEX Rondo baffles are lightweight and easy to install with cork-screw hangers. pinta acoustic offers baffle products in natural white, light-gray, standard, and custom colors.
To make the Splash! sculpture, the baffles were individually suspended from stretched cables within custom-made aluminum frames. The frames were suspended below an exposed metal roof deck. Each baffle was hung at a predetermined height to simulate an overall, 3-D sound wave effect. Visit www.pinta-acoustic.com for more information. aX
