First Martin Audio WPL US sales confirmed
- Details
Officially launched at ISE 2019 in Amsterdam, WPL is designed as a complete system with external iKON multi-channel amplifiers, automated DISPLAY optimisation software and VU-NET control platform that provides financial accessibility to the higher echelons of touring and installed sound. A three-way, bi-amped system, WPL’s very high output is achieved by utilising Martin Audio’s trademark horn-loading technology across all frequency bands - increasing the acoustic output of the low frequency section as well as the midrange and HF.
Soundworks founder and CEO Steve Payne reports: “Soundworks and Southard Audio have worked closely together since 1990 and we’d both been using the same model line array system since Mike (Southard) and I decided early on not to compete with, but support one another.
“Not long ago, we reached the point where we needed to upgrade our main line array system and auditioned a lot of different companies including all the major players. As part of the process, I inquired whether Martin Audio made Wavefront Precision with a 12” box and they didn’t at the time. So we were about to make a final decision on another system when Martin Audio rep Brad Stephens brought us a presentation of the planned WPL 12” line array box.”
Mike Southard adds: “For me, WPL is essentially an MLA system with less processing power. As far as SPL output, audio acuity and all of the tangible sonic points of the box, WPL is pretty close to MLA with the only real difference being external amplifiers and a lower resolution even though WPL does have certain features such as Hard Avoid up to a point.
“Plus, MLA has been out there, it’s a known quantity and people seem to like it a lot which made it a lower market risk for us to go with Martin Audio. We went in very confident that we had a known entity even though WPL is a brand-new system.”
(Jim Evans)
