The highlight of the company's presence at the show is a completely new product group, the R-Series, which takes Alcons' pro-ribbon cylindrical projection and coupling behaviour in new and different directions and brings the benefits of this technology to applications not previously served.
Another innovation is the Q-series QR24 model. A completely new pro-ribbon transducer platform has been developed specifically for this system, which will bring the modular line-source column concept to acoustically challenging rooms in a new form.
The production version of the BC332 self-contained cardioid subwoofer system is on show, which features newly designed woofers - direct-radiating 18" front and 15", utilizing the same acoustic principles as featured on its bigger brother, the BC543, with both V-venting and flank-venting.
ProLight+Sound 2012 also sees the official introduction of the Sentinel12 amplified loudspeaker controller. The main focus with this proprietary-designed, four channel, DSP-based controller was bringing Alcons pro-ribbon sound into the digital amplification domain, while increasing the system's performance even further.
The LR24 - Alcons flagship system - is on show prominently. Utilising the company's pro-ribbon technology to set a new benchmark in terms of SPL, projection control and sound quality, the LR24 delivers the same levels as equivalent products in the same category, but with 15dB less distortion.
Finally, in what has become a regular feature on its ProLight+Sound stand, Alcons is showing a new 'design study', providing a glimpse of its R+D activities by displaying assembled prototype developments, some of which may be applied to future products. This year sees the She iQ system: A study of a scalable line-source system, combining full-range frequency response with very sharp directivity and very high output capability.
(Jim Evans)
