Test Bench: LaVoce WAN103-01 High-Power 10” Midbass Driver

For this Test Bench, Vance Dickason characterizes the new WAN103.01 10" woofer from Italian OEM transducer manufacturer, LaVoce. All LaVoce products are designed at its headquarters in Potenza Picena, Italy, but with the logistic and price advantage of being manufactured at its purpose-built ISO 9001-certified production facility in China. The WAN103.01 is a high-sensitivity and high-power 10" driver, with a substantial feature set, which has been designed with line array and mid-bass applications in mind, using an elegant heavy duty die-cast basket and FEM optimized motor structure and suspensions.

In line with its ongoing commitment to scientific research and the advancement of the audio industry, L-Acoustics announced the release of three new White Papers: Measurement Quality at Low Frequencies, Measurement Quality at High Frequencies and Optimum Measurement Locations for Loudspeaker System Equalization. Focused on sound reinforcement applications with professional audio systems, the three papers are available for download on the L-Acoustics website.

CMA Audio acquired audio manufacturer Lake People Electronic. For 2020, CMA Audio plans to invest in the extension of research and development in the company's headquarters in Constance, in the South of Germany, to overhaul the entire product catalog, which includes Lake People, Violectric and Niimbus brands, and to establish a new cable manufacture operation in cooperation with Japanese manufacturer Mogami. Target markets continues to be professional audio, hi-fi and high end audio enthusiasts.

This article focuses on another pro sound OEM new to Voice Coil’s Test Bench, Oberton of Bulgaria. For this characterization, Oberton supplied the recently released ND72CT/HB 1.4" compression driver along with the H-1464 1.4” cast aluminum 60° × 40° constant directivity horn. The ND72 has two iterations available - a cotton composite diaphragm with polycotton surround - The ND72CT - and an alternative dome, named the Hybrid Dome, using a combination of carbon composite diaphragm with a center cotton composite “patch” that reduces break-up modes - the ND72HB. This article was originally published in Voice Coil, January 2020.

As scheduled, Voice Coil April 2020 is now available in print and digital, connecting loudspeaker professionals in these challenging times. This month, Mike Klasco (Menlo Scientific) discusses Mobile Audio and Microspeakers, which is also the topic of this month's updated directory. James Croft reviews a patent from Harman, while Vance Dickason characterizes the new 18NDLX Imperium woofer from Fane and the CDX14-3040 compression driver from Celestion. Download now and start reading!

Just as scheduled, Martin Audio has announced the release of two new compact, high performance cardioid subwoofers, the SXCF118 and the SXC115, which are flyable models, suitable for both live sound reinforcement and fixed installations. The new flyable SXCF118 and SXC115 subwoofers are purpose designed to partner WPS and WPM line arrays. The SXCF118 is a flyable version of the SXC118 released last year, while the ground stack SXC115 is set to partner WPM line array systems

UPDATE: Prolight+Sound 2020 Cancelled. For the last 25 years, Prolight+Sound has been synonymous with trends and innovations in the entertainment-technology industry. Given the increasing spread of Covid-19 in Europe, Messe Frankfurt confirmed the decision to cancel Prolight+Sound 2020. The trade fair was originally planned for 31 March to 3 April. The next Prolight+Sound will be held from 13 to 16 April 2021.

British speaker manufacturer Funktion-One decided to return to the ISE show for the first time since 2014. And the reason why it did so, was to launch two compact loudspeaker models – the F5 speaker and the SB8 bass unit – designed for the installation market. According to Funktion-One founder, Tony Andrews, “though the F5 and SB8 are small in size, they are capable of the high-performance standards that we demand from all of our loudspeaker innovations.”

With ISE 2020 in Amsterdam feeling increasingly like the glory days of Prolight+Sound in Frankfurt, companies are even announcing new products that are primary aimed at the live event industry. CODA Audio launched a brand new ultra-compact three-way line array at this year’s ISE show. N-RAY places the benefits of CODA’s flagship AiRAY technology into a shallow, lightweight cabinet perfect for theaters, performing-arts centers and corporate events.

LEA Professional, the emerging heavyweight in amplifier and systems design launched four new IoT-enabled high-power connected amplifiers that set a new standard in performance, connectivity and ease of deployment. The new LEA Connect Series amplifiers are available in four-channel configurations ranging from 1,500 to 3,000 watts and in Network Connect and Dante Connect iterations.