"The 2100-LFC shares the core design philosophy behind our breakthrough Phanter line array," says Meyer Sound Senior Product Manager Andy Davies. "With the 2100-LFC we’ve had the same goal of making a lighter and slimmer self-powered cabinet with all the performance the industry has asked us for while bringing it to the market at a lower initial cost than the previous generation. With Phanter and the 2100-LFC we now have a complete, full-bandwidth solution for high-impact sound reinforcement in large-scale portable and installed applications that meets the practical and budgetary demands of the modern industry."
Achieving the ambitious performance goals of the 2100-LFC required the development of a new 21-inch cone driver and a new high-power Class-D amplifier. For the driver, the Meyer Sound engineering team built on the experience gained from the dual voice coil 18-inch driver used in the 900-LFC, but here stepping up to four voice coils. The new driver benefits from an all-new Class-D amplifier rated at 1200 watts maximum continuous power, with peak power of 8000 watts.
"Like all sub-bass loudspeakers producing very high levels over hours of use, the magnets and voice coils can get very warm and that affects the linearity of the output," notes Davies. "But since we have AC power on board, we are able to engineer cooling systems not just for the amplifier but also for the magnet and voice coil assembly. So, the output of the 2100-LFC maintains a linear response no matter how hard you drive it."
Reducing the weight and size of the cabinet ensures flexibility, giving greater freedom to fly arrays using fewer or smaller motors. When coupled with the weight savings already achieved by Phanter, this means productions are faster to rig and easier to fly in a wider range of venues. This flexibility also allows users to bring the highest levels of low-end performance to even the smallest venues, and do so with a product that could be touring into stadiums the next day.
Like the 1100-LFC, the 2100-LFC has symmetrical rigging hardware, allowing easy mixing of front and rear orientation in cardioid arrays. However, the narrower cabinet profile of the 2100-LFC allows for a much more efficient truck pack, with three-high stacks fitting three across in USA or European semi-trailers. “The stacks are a bit higher than other models in the LFC family, but that’s usually wasted space up at the top,” observes Davies. “Overall, it’s a far more efficient use of truck space, and when you add the savings in space Phanter has already contributed, we are dramatically reducing the cost of touring logistics."
Preliminary specifications for the 2100-LFC low-frequency control element give measurements of 42 inches (107 cm) wide, 24 inches (61 cm) high and 26.5 inches (67 cm) deep. The enclosure is premium multi-ply birch with a textured finish. The grill is powder-coated stamped steel.
The 2100-LFC also incorporates the same standard dual input module as Phanter, offering both a Milan AVB endpoint for digital audio and monitoring telemetry, plus an analog input for backward compatibility with existing systems. System monitoring and connectivity is handled by Meyer Sound’s Nebra software package. The 2100-LFC will also benefit from the product integration functionality in the Galileo GALAXY series of processors, ensuring seamless audio integration with all generations of Meyer Sound self-powered systems. All connections on the module — network, AC power, and analog XLR input — are via Neutrik TOP (True Outdoor Protection) connectors with an IP55 rating, making weather protection a standard feature.
"A sub-bass unit with a single 21-inch driver is something we’ve wanted to offer for a number of years because of the size and weight advantages as well as the sonic benefits," says Davies. "Finally, technology and engineering have caught up with our ambitions. We set a high bar with the 1100-LFC, which set a new standard for power paired with accuracy and musicality. We expect the 2100-LFC will deliver a level of open, transparent, and linear low-frequency power that will again raise the bar for the industry and redefine what is possible."
The Meyer Sound team responsible for the design, specification, and testing of the 2100-LFC was led by Engineering Director, Acoustical & Mechanical, Katharine Murphy Khulusi. "We are excited to continue to push the boundaries of performance. The 2100-LFC will be in the same performance class as the 1100‑LFC in a lighter, more compact package. The extended frequency response gives 35 percent extra usable range. This launch continues to take our new products into the future."
Meyer Sound expects the first shipments to start in Q2 2023. The 2100-LFC will be introduced at Integrated Systems Europe (ISE) 2023 (Hall 5, 5F100), Barcelona, January 31 to February 3, 2023.
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