- AVAILABLE FROM APRIL 2006 -

L-ACOUSTICS recently took advantage of the 119th AES Convention in New York City to announce the worldwide launch of two self-powered two-way coaxial loudspeakers, the 108P and 112P, both combining the significant advantages of L-ACOUSTICS' proven coaxial point source technology with the convenience of self-powered performance and on board digital signal processing.
Christian Heil, L-ACOUSTICS President comments: "The introduction of a self-powered line of products does not indicate a change in our strategy, but an emphasis of L-ACOUSTICS position towards multi-purpose, easy-to-use portable applications." And he clarifies: "It is not in our intention to extend the concept of self-powered speakers to the entire L-ACOUSTICS range. However this approach seems relevant to us for small- to medium-sized multi-purpose systems."

Version 15 DLL for EASE 4.0 allows for simulation of L-ACOUSTICS® V-DOSC®, dV-DOSC™ or mixed arrays of V-DOSC and dV-DOSC (downfill and/or upfill). It includes compensation for air-absorption effects, provides improved calculation efficiency for faster performance while giving accurate SPL figures.

As part of its continuing technical innovation, L-ACOUSTICS released in September 2001 a DLL* specifically applicable to line source arrays.
Now available is the update for EASE version 4.0.

V-DOSC® system is the achievement of a decade of experience.

L-ACOUSTICS® introduces today the new V7 Preset Library, which offers the latest improvements in sonic performance and optimizes the loudspeaker power resources: - Smoother mid/high response based on detailed spatial averaging - Revised low section processing including optimized low end shelving eq resulting in a 2dB increase in overall   efficiency and output. Moreover, V7 Preset Library allow for even higher flexibility, including many combinations of L-ACOUSTICS dedicated subwoofers for a wide variety of applications, from speech and classical to rap and techno. Together with an accurate quality control of transducers and components V-DOSC offers spectacular records for reliability and durability.

Furthermore, in an ongoing effort to provide end users with complete packaged system solutions,
L-ACOUSTICS has just released a new generation of panels, cabling and adapters suitable for small to large format FOH applications.

These new accessories allow for convenient signal distribution and amplifier rack reconfiguration for the ARCS®, dV-DOSC™ and XT line of loudspeaker enclosures. As usual, compatibility with current V-DOSC and dV-DOSC signal distribution, cabling and connector standards is maintained, allowing users to easily integrate ARCS or XT enclosures for complementary fill or delay system applications.

Since its' introduction in 1995, ARCS has set an industry standard by demonstrating that trapezoidal loudspeaker arrays can in fact generate an acoustic field that is free of destructive interference. By satisfying Wavefront Sculpture Technology® (WST) criteria, ARCS provides remarkable clarity and perfect coherence along with powerful, smooth, and predictable coverage.
Belonging to the L-ACOUSTICS® Wavefront Sculpture Technology® (WST) product line, ARCS® is as a new product with the recent introduction of new generation digital presets, a major update to the User Manual (both downloadable from www.l-acoustics.com) and the ARCBUMP rigging accessory!

....... One ARCS Cabinet .......

 

TECHNICAL FEATURES
By satisfying L-ACOUSTICS® WST criteria, ARCS® provides the same performance benefits as V-DOSC® and dV-DOSCTM in a compact 2-way format (15" LF, 1.4" HF) that is suitable for both fixed installation and touring. Since ARCS generates a modular, constant curvature wavefront, ARCS stands for "Arrayable Radial Coherent System".

What's unique is that the radiated constant curvature wavefront emanates from a virtual point source located 1.15 m behind the array.
Well-defined, precise coverage along with convenient rigging and ease-of-use are the main performance benefits of ARCS' modular design.
With the introduction of ARCBUMP (released in January 2003), up to four ARCS enclosures can now be rigged horizontally. This easy-to-use accessory adds even greater flexibility and versatility to ARCS as a modular line source array since ARCS can be used to create either vertical or horizontal line source arrays. When used as a vertical line array for FOH applications, ARCS horizontal coverage is 60° (asymmetrical) and mirror-imaged L/R arrays are normally installed with the 40° angle oriented in the onstage direction. Modular coverage is obtained vertically (22.5, 45, 67.5 or 90 degrees for 1, 2, 3 or 4 ARCS, respectively) and extremely well-defined vertical pattern control allows the user to avoid ceiling reflections in club or theatrical installations, for example. Conversely, when ARCS is used as a horizontal line array precise horizontal coverage control is obtained, allowing the user to avoid wall reflections.

APPLICATIONS
As a full-range 2-way system, ARCS can be used for FOH sound reinforcement in corporate, television or theatrical applications. Due to its optimum speech reproduction and small physical footprint, ARCS is particularly effective as a flown centre cluster for theatrical installations. For large-scale fixed installation, distributed arrays can be employed for stadium or arena sound reinforcement. In these applications, ARCS can be installed either single or arrayed, vertically or horizontally, and the precise, modular 22.5° horizontal directivity combined with the generous 60° vertical coverage allows for cost-effective coverage.

For touring applications, as a complementary 2-way fill enclosure, ARCS is ideal for sidefill monitoring due to its tight, well-defined directivity pattern. When used in conjunction with V-DOSC or dV-DOSC FOH systems, ARCS is also highly suitable for flown or stacked centre fill, stereo front fill, offstage fill or delay system applications.
ARCS delivers powerful, extended bandwidth reproduction with additional low frequency impact that is perfect for FOH use in medium-sized venues when combined with L-ACOUSTICS SB218 or dV-SUB subwoofers. For FOH applications, the modular horizontal directivity of ARCS allows for excellent stereo imaging in the standard left-right format while the flexibility provided by asymmetrical vertical coverage allows the sound designer to cover virtually any room geometry.

For more demanding FOH applications, ARCS can be used in a double row configuration with top row cabinets oriented in the normal position for up-fill and bottom row cabinets inverted for down-fill. When arrayed in this manner, all 15'' loudspeakers satisfy WST criteria and couple over their entire operating bandwidth, providing maximum low frequency impact and throw due to enhanced directivity control at lower frequencies.

....... 4 ARCS horizontal array .......

 

SOME REFERENCES
Today, more than 4,000 ARCS cabinets have been sold all over the world. One of the references are: the CHUKYO RACE COURSE (Keiba/Japan, 15 ARCS), the ICE HOCKEY HALL (Kondupoga/Russia, 16 ARCS, plus 8 MTD108a coaxial cabinets and 8 SB218 subwoofers) or the CLUB QUATTRO (Hiroshima City/Japan, 6 ARCS plus 4 SB218 subwoofers) on the side of permanent installations; and the COLDPLAY TOUR (2002 - UK & Europe, 12 ARCS in complement of 24 V-DOSC and 6 dV-DOSC cabinets).

COMMENTS ABOUT THE USE OF ARCS WORLDWIDE:
SOUND HARMONICS, South Africa L-ACOUSTICS Distributor:

Joseph Mandy, Managing Director explains: "Since we purchased L-ACOUSTICS ARCS last year, the system has been hard at work in theatres, corporate events, and concerts all over South Africa, and has been met with delight by engineers, designers and clients alike". The system was installed in the Durban Playhouse recently for the brand new musical Far From the Madding Crowd. Comments like: 'This sounds like a big pair of studio monitors' were heard from the sound designers and composers". System technicians Richard Smith and Richard Blamire were delighted with the results: "It's wonderful to install the system with such a sense of knowing and ease. Your results are always predictable and, with minimum effort, we are able to provide the FOH engineer with a flat system so that he can concentrate on the mix and not worry about the system. In fact, for Far From the Madding Crowd, we haven't used system EQ at all!".
Phone: +27 11 673 7656

SCA COUCHI, West indies L-ACOUSTICS Distributor:
Alix Couchi, General Manager comments: "We have been using ARCS for a long time now, and we are very satisfied with the system: it responds to our needs. We can
make all kind of events with it and very recently we worked on the boat race Route du Rhum. We truly consider that this is the best existing system available in Guadeloupe".
Phone: +33 (0)5 90 23 38 82

IES, Installation Company in Munich, Germany:
Philipp Kaetel, Director, says: "What I have to say about the ARCBUMP is that it's the easiest way to fly a vertical array, and it takes only one technician to fly an array of 3 ARCS in 3 minutes. We are mainly doing TV-Shows and our customers expect the best from us and so do we from our equipment. That's the reason why we chose ARCS. Now with the ARCBUMP we can fly it easily as a vertical array with seamless coverage throughout the audience with very tight pattern control."
Phone: +49 89 31 77 61 60