Flat panel speakers have been around for a while. For one reason or another they failed to excite or cause any disruption to traditional sound reinforcement applications, besides all the promises. Among the pioneers in the technology for professional audio applications, Tectonic Audio Labs holds the most promising approach with its Distributed Mode Loudspeaker (DML), unfortunately, so far only available in a sort of “half-baked” products. Now, at InfoComm 2019, Tectonic is back with a new product for commercial audio and a new complementary subwoofer that deserves a listening and should be a reason for excitement.
The LS-118 is a front loaded single 18-inch woofer featuring a bent bass flex port, which perfectly complements the DML500, crossing over where the flat panel ends and extending the low frequencies to provide complete audio signal reproduction with no gaps.
Currently, Tectonic’s DML speakers are showcased in venues the like Treasure Island Ballroom and select W Hotels, and the PL-11R model is used in hundreds of houses of worship across North America. Still, the first generation DML speakers where a compromise on the whole potential for the technology, effectively using a large format horn-loaded ribbon transducer to provide the required high frequency extension up to 22kHz. With the DML500, Tectonic effectively launches the first DML iteration that doesn’t need the support of “extra” drivers to deliver on the promise of bending wave technology.
The DML500 is poised to disrupt the commercial audio market due to its ability to deliver highly intelligible and immersive audio performance in even the most challenging architectural environments. Bending wave technology provides diffuse loudspeaker behavior that generates 165-degree dispersion coverage and excellent results in reverberant audio fields.
Engineered and designed in Woodinville, Washington, the new Tectonic DML500 also features a sleek embodiment that can blend well into any venue aesthetic, is lighter, slimmer and provides significant cost savings over previous offerings.
"Customer demand is extremely high for commercial audio systems that deliver supreme intelligibility in challenging acoustic environments, while adhering to tight installation timelines and budgets. With our new products, we can deliver on all three,” says Heidi Keele, Chief Marketing Officer.
Complementing the new loudspeaker offering, the LS-118 Subwoofer developed by Tectonic, is a front loaded single 18-inch woofer featuring a bent bass flex port. It provides excellent dynamics and output from a compact cabinet profile that can be easily ground stacked or hung in multiples of two, three or four units. The subwoofer is rated to handle 2400 watts of program power and 3600 watts of peak power. This new model is compatible with Tectonic Distributed Mode Loudspeakers and other mid to high frequency speaker systems.
"As consumer trends about audio and sound continue to evolve, brands are looking for new ways to deliver a more immersive audio experience at a lower cost," says Craig Hubbell, President and CEO. "We strive to meet that need with innovative technology and unique loudspeaker designs that adapt to current expectations."
www.tectonicaudiolabs.com
