New optional extension for LA4 and LA8 amplified controllers, LA-AES3 offers one AES/EBU stereo input and one AES/EBU thru port (link) to interconnect LA4 and LA8 to any digital mixing desk or any audio distribution network, while maintaining a fully digital signal path.

Main features:

• 1 AES/EBU input, compliant with AES3 (AES/EBU) and IEC 60958 Type II (S/PDIF) specifications, ESD protected
• Seamless AES/EBU to analog input automatic fallback option, with constant delay
• High-quality hardware Sample Rate Converter accepting program sampled from Fs = 44.1 kHz to 192 kHz
• Adjustable gain: - 12.0 dB to + 12.0 dB by 0.1 dB steps
• 1 AES/EBU thru, electronically buffered with failsafe relay, ESD protected
• Maximum cable length: up to 300 m (with certified cables dedicated to AES/EBU transport at Fs = 48 kHz).
• USB port (reserved for future applications).

Automatic AES/EBU to analog input fallback:

• Switchover conditions: no clock, loss of lock, invalid audio (validity bit), CRC error, bipolar encoding error, data slip
• Constant delay: yes
• Revert to AES/EBU input: upon user selection

Audio Specifications:

• Supported input Fs: 44.1 kHz to 192 kHz
• Supported word lengths: 16, 18, 20, and 24 bits
• SRC output: 24 bits/96 kHz
• SRC dynamic range: 140 dB
• SRC THD+N: < - 120 dBfs
• SRC passband ripple: ± 0.05 dB (20 Hz - 40 kHz at Fs=96 kHz)
• Amplifier propagation delay: fixed at 3.4 ms or 3.9 ms1, or all supported input sampling frequency

Dimensions:

• H x W x D: 34 x 90 x 115 mm - 1.33 x 3.54 x 4.52 in
• Weight (net): 0.112 kg - 0.246 lbs
• Finish: black and anthracite gre

Connectors:

• AES/EBU input: 1 Neutrik® XLR female
• AES/EBU link: 1 Neutrik® XLR male
• USB: 1 Mini-B type USB female

At the heart of the new L-ACOUSTICS® integrated system approach, the LA4 and LA8 Amplified Controllers offer cutting edge loudspeaker Amplification, DSP, Network Control, and comprehensive System Protection in a single ergonomic package. Based upon similar platforms the exceptional and ground breaking performance level delivered by both the LA4 and LA8 allow for full optimization of all L-ACOUSTICS® system resources and deliver outstanding audio quality combined with the best possible transducer protection.

Both units offer an integrated approach by combining the most advanced amplification, signal processing, network remote control and monitoring technologies currently available, and are pre-configured for digital multi-channel audio networking. In addition, a powerful and upgradable operating system with an intuitive user interface provides a high level of “hands on” system control without sacrificing accurate
and fast operation under real world conditions.

Packaged in a compact 2U lightweight format chassis, both the LA4 and LA8 platforms are derivative of the same basic design and share the following characteristics:

• A four-channel high efficiency amplifier section fed by two inputs, offering a power level matching for all L-ACOUSTICS® loudspeaker systems
• A DSP section featuring advanced filter algorithms and an exclusive L-DRIVE protection system for the transducers allowing for optimum system performance
• A complete onboard preset library stored in 99 memory locations to cover all the principal L-ACOUSTICS® loudspeaker system configurations
• An intuitive and ergonomic user interface, fully accessible from the front panel for standalone operation
• Two I/O Ethernet ports for networking up to 253 units
• The complementary PC-based LA NETWORK MANAGER software (Windows® compatible) with remote network monitoring and control of the LA4 and LA8 units
• A rear-panel plug-in card slot for future multi-channel digital audio networking implementation

Specific features of the LA4 and LA8 include:

• The LA4 delivers up to 4 x 1000 Watts into 4 ohms
• The LA8 delivers up to 4 x 1800 Watts into 4 ohms
• Speaker output connectors are specific to each platform
• Each unit carries its own on board preset library specific to the power requirements of L-ACOUSTICS® loudspeaker systems

New proprietary algorithms are processed in a SHARC 32 bit floating point DSP engine at a 96 kHz sampling rate. A specialised engineering approach combining IIR and FIR filters generates a perfect linearization of phase curves and a significant improvement of the system impulse response for an even more natural, transparent, and realistic sound experience. Two cascaded 24 bit A/D converters on the front-end yield a ground-breaking encoding dynamic of 130 dB.

The new L-DRIVE protection feature offers a dual analysis of both signal intensity and voltage in real time and RMS. Under extreme conditions when component membranes reach the over-excursion zone or if the coil ensemble temperature reaches a critical point, L-DRIVE opens and acts as a power regulator. As a result the amount of power delivered to any channel is adjusted to the power handling capacity of each individual transducer on the relevant channel. This optimizes the power resources of the system in use while preserving the highest dynamic range.

With a complete preset library accessible in 89 banks and 10 additional user presets, the engineer is offered fingertip access to all the usual L-ACOUSTICS® speaker system configurations.

The four amplifier channels driven by two inputs provide optimum system flexibility. The LA4 and LA8 offer two specific power ranges (4 x 1000 Watts into 4 ohms per channel, and 4 x 1800 Watts into 4 ohms per channel, respectively) yielding perfect power matching for each individual L-ACOUSTICS® loudspeaker system. The built-in technologies allow for control of the very wide dynamic range found in live audio productions while the high-efficiency components offer superior reliability all from a sleek ergonomic package with exceptional weight/size ratio.

• KIVA - KILO
• ARCS
• 12XT - 8XT
• Legacy coaxial models
• SB18 - SB118

• 89 factory presets including mono or multi-channel configurations inactive or passive modes
• A flexible I/O matrix routing between the two inputs and the four amplified outputs

• 24 bit A/D converters, 130 dB dynamic range of encoding
• Combined IIR/FIR Algorithms
• Input delay adjustable from 0 to 500 ms
• Output delay adjustable from 0 to 35ms
• Section dedicated to system equalization using LA NETWORK MANAGER
• L-DRIVE excursion and temperature real-time control
• Fixed Latency = 3.9 ms

• Universal switch mode power supply, 120 V or 230 V
• 4 x 800 W / 8 ohms at 1% THD, all channels driven simultaneously (4 x 930 W peak)
• 4 x 1000 W/4 ohms at 1% THD, all channels drive simultaneously (4 x 1600 W peak)
• Gain structure: 32 dB

• Frequency response: 10 - 30k Hz, -0.1/+0.15 dB at 8 ohms
• Output noise: -73 dBV (20 - 20k Hz, A-weighted)
• Output dynamic range: 111 dB (20 - 20k Hz A-weighted)
• Max input level: 22 dBu (balanced, THD 1%)
• Channel separation: > 90 dB
• Input impedance: 22 kOhms, balanced

• H x W x D: 88.1 (2U) x 483 x 420 mm - 3.5 (2U) x 19 x 16.5 in
• Weight (net): 11.1 kg - 24.5 lbs
• Finish: black and anthracite grey

Charles Miray
System Operator

"The LA4 and LA8 have made my life easier. Firstly, the system set-up is facilitated by their compact and light packaging and so is the audio cabling process.  Secondly, the LA-Network Manager software allows remote control on a group of loudspeakers in the same array. This is an undeniable benefit in emergency situations that we often face in the “live” world."

John Moine de Russy
Ingénieur en diffusion sonore/Opérateur console
www.ingenieuxduson.com

"LA NETWORK MANAGER 1.2 brought many new features. I particularly like the new flexibility with hybrid presets to optimize the number of amplified controllers when I study a sound design"