Martin Audio's Rob Lingfield announcing the latest news from Martin Audio at PLASA today.
Martin Audio, newly-independent since the management buyout last month, has introduced the three-way, active/passive W8LM mini line array here at Earls Court - and was also able to annouce a substantial commitment to the new system from the Synco Network. The W8LM has been designed for multiple applications in areas where the line array principle is demanded but space is at a premium. Although highly compact, the W8LM is a full-bandwidth, 2 x 8" and 2 x 1" system and can be used in many areas without additional sub-bass.

Using proven array principles from its larger siblings, and an evolution of the Hybrid loading technique, a low/mid output with a sensitivity greater than 100dB is easily achieved, rising to 106dB for the HF. By using innovative mid-horn geometry and a toroidal wave guide, a constant directivity, horizontal pattern control of over 120° (700Hz-18kHz) is maintained, ensuring no tonal imbalances off axis.

The captive, quick deployment rigging system allows inter-cabinet angles of 0-7.5° to be set as a flown or ground-stacked system as determined by the Viewpoint array optimisation software. As all cabinets are front-hinged, the spacing between adjacent elements remains the same irrespective of splay angles, ensuring smooth vertical dispersion and the continuation of all the Line Array principles.

To make system design even more cost-effective, the W8LM is a 12 ohm cabinet, and up to eight cabinets can be powered from one Martin Audio MA2.8s amplifier. The W8LM is also compatible with the new WLX Hybrid sub.

Martin also launched its W8LS line array subwoofer. The high performance 2kW design features dual very long excursion 18" (460mm) direct radiators in a twin-ported enclosure. The high-power drive units have magnetic structures and suspensions engineered for maximum linear excursion. Extensive research by Martin's R&D team has led to a highly rigid, high-pressure enclosure which minimizes cabinet wall energy absorption. This maximizes electro-acoustic efficiency to give better bass definition and more punch from lighter power amp racks. The W8LS's physical dimensions and rigging system are the same as with the W8L. Inter-cabinet angles from 0-7.5° are set by a rotating splay bar at the rear of the enclosure.

Although primarily designed to extend the LF performance of flown W8L columns, the W8LS may also be ground-stacked on its standard W8L grid for use with W8LC mid-sized line arrays or W8C Wavefront Compact systems.

Martin Audio - Stand G59


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