2020 reset expectations and plans for pro audio manufacturers, with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic affecting the professional audio industry fundamentally with the indefinite closure and postponement of live music events and entertainment venues worldwide. And yet, for UK component loudspeaker manufacturer Precision Devices, this was also seen as an opportunity to intensify development activities.
Since the lockdowns in the UK were implemented from the end of March 2020, the company has been making preparations for the revival of the events industry and gearing up to provide their customers with the correct tools to deliver optimal performance solutions when it does. In fact, as Managing Director Mark Barnes says, “We have never been busier or more focused on new business development”.
In common with other pro audio manufacturers, 2020 wasn’t an easy time. However, despite the disruptions and with the exemplary support of customers from around the world, Precision Devices was able to continue operations throughout the COVID-19 pandemic at their UK head office and China facilities. Ensuring a continued service and supply of stock to the industry, the company seized the opportunity provided by ‘downtime’ to focus on innovative new product development and continuous improvement to their best-selling models. The end result is, effectively, a complete overhaul of their product range, a reset for 2021 which represents an impressive foundation upon which to build growth and provide clients with improved product options for the future.
"Far from being overwhelmed by the ongoing period of disruption in 2020,” Mark Barnes says, “we took the decision to view the situation as an opportunity to focus on refinement of our existing product lines and development of new products which will excite and inspire both our existing global customer network and attract new clients. Instead of losing focus on our core strengths and moving into other business areas, we have remained wholly committed and faithful to our core ethos: to develop, manufacture and supply the world’s most refined, high-performance professional audio components capable of operating in the world’s most demanding of audio environments. Meeting the twin objectives of refinement in presentation but rugged reliance in performance is a challenge but one we believe we have achieved, not least through the introduction of new chassis tooling and a host of detail improvements across our product range."
"The coming weeks will see the launch of our new website which has full e-commerce functionality to enable Precision Devices' product to reach clients globally at the click of a button, together with exciting new product launches of new models available from stock in the UK and Europe for the first time. With new 18", 21" and 24" components in the imminent stages of final development and a complete overhaul of our existing product line, drawing upon the latest Klippel measurement and analysis system to refine all designs, we emerge from the present period of disruption leaner and stronger and better able to meet our clients’ expectations and requirements than ever before."
Latest Product Additions
After a successful introduction to key international OEM partners, and in response to increased demand, Precision Devices decided to announce the arrival of eight new models into their UK stock range for sale throughout Europe and worldwide. Each driver has been developed using the latest, high-quality component materials and state-of-the-art design tools. Further optimization and verification has been performed with the use of the company’s in-house Klippel facility to provide system designers and audio engineers who seek no compromise solutions with significant, measurable performance advantages.
PD.185C003 – Sub Bass Driver
A natural successor to the legendary PD.1850, this new driver is ideal for bass reflex and horn loaded systems where a high punch and low frequency bass is required. Features include: 5-inch inside-outside winding, copper voice coil and ‘bumped’ back plate that allows for increased travel and excursion. Vented aluminum chassis and motor system design increases cooling effectively reducing power compression effects. A BL of 31 T/m and dual suspension system provides excellent linearity with 50mm peak to peak travel. The PD.185C002 has and AES power rating of 1000W and exhibits a 99db sensitivity across its working bandwidth.
PD.185C001 – Sub Bass Driver
Conceived around the famed PD.186, the PD.185C001’s engineering has been focused around minimal weight using a traditional ferrite magnet motor system, and weighing in only 13Kg, which is lighter than some neodymium models available on the market today. Further enhancements provide an impressive 1200W (AES) power handling and increased sensitivity of 97dB. Other features include a 5-inch copper voice coil, vented chassis frame and a double spider suspension assembly. Ideally suited where high power handling long excursion and perfect linearity are required, this driver is versatile in bass reflex and horn loaded cabinets, with Thiele/Small parameters that naturally suit all PD.186 applications but offer increased horsepower and punch.
PD.154C001 – Sub Bass Driver
A perfect alternative solution to the ever popular PD.1550, the new PD.154C001 was designed to faithfully reproduce powerful and accurate bass frequencies with minimal distortion and power compression. The PD.154C001 is suitable for use in a variety of enclosure designs and sound reinforcement applications, with a very impressive 900W (AES) power handling provided by the 4-inch copper clad aluminum voice coil. The PD.154C001 has a sensitivity of 98.5dB across it’s working frequency band of 45Hz - 1kHz. The composite alloy and steel pole piece produce a uniform and stable magnetic field giving the driver a high BL in excess of 25 T/m that provides excellent linear control of the moving mass.
PD.153C002 – Bass / Midrange Driver
First in the new extended bass/midrange family is a successor to the PD.153ER. The PD.153C002 offers excellent linear response and is well controlled down to 45Hz, working seamlessly up to 5kHz with 101db sensitivity across its working bandwidth. Thanks to a copper shorting ring and copper CCAW wire the unit also offers impressive, extended high frequency performance. A very good solution for two-way or multiway systems, the driver also excels when combined with Precision Devices 1-inch compression drivers.
PD.124NR1 – Bass / Midrange Driver
Featuring Precision Devices unique neo-radial motor system technology, the new PD.124NR1 combines high power handling and high 99dB sensitivity across its working band. Designed as a high power mid bass driver for multiway systems, the unit can also be used as a dedicated woofer in bass reflex and horn loaded designs. The 4-inch CCAW voice coil is capable of handling 1100W (AES), while forced air venting and other construction materials, selected for their thermal properties, effectively manage heat dissipation, reducing power compression to a minimum. A dual spider configuration with silicone based damping control provides excellent control and linear travel of the cone with minimal distortion. This driver is extremely versatile and is capable of producing an SPL of 126.5dB in a 45 liter ported enclosure tuned to 60Hz.
PD.123C001 – Bass / Midrange Driver
Following on the tremendous success of the PD.121, Precision Devices now introduces the PD.123C001, featuring an impressive power handling of 600W (AES) and 99dB across its working frequency band of 45Hz - 4kHz. An optimized vented 3-inch copper voice coil provides enhanced cooling and reduces coil gap turbulence in combination with a vented chassis design. The driver has a high Bl of 24.5 T/m with an excellent linear response that is well controlled down to 50Hz. An outstanding solution for two-way or multiway systems where a high BL and good punch is required.
PD.103NR1 – Midrange Driver
Optimized for high-power mid-range performance exhibiting 100dB sensitivity across its working band. The 700W (AES) PD.103NR1 features Precision Devices unique neo-radial motor system technology and is capable of producing 126 dB SPL in a 15 liter sealed enclosure. Forced air venting along with other thermal management methods, and materials, keep the 3-inch CCAW voice coil cool and further reduces power compression effects to a minimum.
PD.615C002 – Midrange Driver
The new PD.615C002 is ideal for waveguide applications, replacing the PD.615WG and PD.615WG/2 drivers. Delivering outstanding midrange performance with extremely high sensitivity of 105dB, the driver offers an increased frequency range from 600 Hz - 10 kHz and features a 1.5-inch copper voice coil capable of handling 140W (AES). The sealed chassis also offers independence from the main enclosure.
As Precision Devices details, each of the new models will begin shipping in Q1 of 2021 and will be maintained as part of the brand's product catalog, with sample requests or stock availability enquiries welcome. Precision Devices also confirms that the company is open for business and ready and waiting to discuss distribution opportunities or assist manufacturers with new audio projects.
www.precision-devices.com
