KARA - Modular WST® Line Source

The KARA modular line source element has an operating frequency bandwidth from 55 Hz to 20 kHz. This response can be lowered down to 32 Hz with the addition of the SB18 low frequency extension.

KARA features a 2-way, bi-amplified design and is equipped with 2 x 8” neodymium LF speakers in a bass-reflex tuned enclosure. The HF section features a 3” neodymium diaphragm driver coupled to a DOSC® waveguide.

The K-shaped coplanar transducer configuration generates a symmetric horizontal coverage of 110° without secondary lobes over the entire frequency range. The combination of coplanar symmetry and DOSC® waveguide allows the system to fulfill the 5 WST® criteria. Any KARA line source can be curved up to a maximum of 10˚ for each element without breaking the inter-element acoustic coupling.

The KARA enclosure is made of first grade Baltic birch plywood to ensure maximum acoustical and mechanical integrity. The 4 point rigging system allows suspending up to 24 KARA in a single array.

The KARA system is driven by the dedicated LA8 amplified controller which ensures active system linearization, intelligent transducer protection, and optimization for 3 operating modes:

• The “FULL RANGE” mode for standalone Line Source arrays or distributed applications
• The “HIGH-PASS” mode for fills or for KARA as a K1 downfill
• The “LOW EXTENSION” mode for KARA/SB18 configurations

The performance of KARA depends upon the choice of electronic preset and physical system configuration.

L-ACOUSTICS^® pioneered the field of modern line source array as early as 1993 with the introduction of Wavefront Sculpture Technology on the legendary V-DOSC^® system.

Based on physical rules developed by Heil and Urban (AES 1992) the WST^® theory defines five criteria for design and use of true line source arrays. At the heart of Wavefront Sculpture Technology is the internationally-patented DOSC^® waveguide, which morphs the spherical wavefront of the HF driver into a cylindrical, isophasic wave

In combination with WST^®, coplanar symmetry - the equivalent of coaxial assembly for HF, MF and LF drivers in vertical arrays - provides a coherent wavefront over the entire horizontal coverage at all frequencies. This behaves as if the sound was radiated by a single, continuous and articulated ribbon.

Any line source featuring L-ACOUSTICS^® elements respects the coplanar symmetry and all WST^® criteria on the entire sonic spectrum. This allows an exceptionally coherent sonic signature in very long throw applications, beyond the limits of other systems.

L-ACOUSTICS^® has been designing reference line array systems for more than 15 years.

Modular line sources offer tremendous flexibility for installation and rental applications. Both KIVA and KARA®(i) systems are designed to combine a compact, high-performance and lightweight enclosure with a dedicated companion LF extension (KILO, SB18(i)) delivering the necessary LF resources when a reinforced contour is desired.

• 55 Hz - 20 kHz ([KARA] preset)

• Horizontal: 110° symmetric
• Vertical: Dependent upon number of elements and line source curvature

• 139 dB ([KARA] preset)

• LF: 450 W
• HF: 80 W

• LF: 2 x 8’’ neodymium weather-resistant
• HF: 1 x 3’’ neodymium diaphragm compression driver
• Nominal impedance: LF = 8 ohms, HF = 8 ohms

• Steel, certified for: 24 KARA (BGV-C1 compliant)
• Angle increments: 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7.5, 10°

• W x H/h x D: 730 x 250/164 x 482 mm - 27.7 x 9.8/6.4 x 19 in
• Weight (net): 26 kg 57.2 lbs
• Connectors: 2 x 4-point Speakon®
• Material: baltic birch plywood
• Finish: Grey-brown, RAL 8019®
• Front: polyester powder-coated steel grill, Airnet® acoustically neutral fabric
• Rigging: steel with dual coating zinc and polyester powder

• Full range modular active 2-way WST® cabinet.

• Dual-vented low frequency extension cabinet.

• Amplified controller with DSP library and networking capabilities
• Touring rack
• Remote control software

• Rigging structure and extension bar for suspending or stacking KARA and/or SB18
• Certified for suspending up to 24 KARA or 16 SB18 or stacking up to 9 KARA

• Mini rigging structure for flying/stacking KARA
• Extension bars for flying/stacking SB18/KARA. Certified for 6 KARA and for 2 SB18/6KARA or 4 SB18 with extension

• M-JACK: 4 x tilt adjustment screw jacks with 2 x angle bar extensions for stacked M-BUMP
• KARA-ANGARMEX: 2x KARA angle bar extensions

• Electro-acoustic and mechanical simulation software
  (Windows® compatible) dedicated to L-ACOUSTICS products.

• Audience: 5 000
• 2 x 6 KARA side fills

• Audience: 2 000
• 2 x 6 KARA

• Audience: 2 000
• 2 x 6 KARA
• 2 x 2 SB18

• Audience: 3 000
• 3 x 10 KARA
• 2 x 8 SB18

GOSPEL AND SOUL FESTIVAL
 Budapest
Hungaria

• Audience: 10 000
• 2 x 12 KARA
• 2 x 8 SB18 & 12 SB28

MRAZIK MUSICAL ON ICE
Prague
Czech Republic

• Audience: 2 000
• 4 x 3 KARA

QUEBEC CITY SUMMER FESTIVAL
 Canada

• Audience: 115 000
• 2 x 3 KARA downfill K1

ROCKEFELLER CENTER CHRISTMAS TREE LIGHTING CEREMONY
New York City
USA

• Audience: 3 000
• 2 x 6 KARA
• 2 x 3 SB18 in cardiode mode