JBL Professional

JBL PROFESSIONAL UNVEILS NEW VERTEC™ LINE ARRAY SYSTEM TECHNICAL DETAILS AND DESCRIPTION

LONDON & LOS ANGELES, SEPTEMBER 10, 2000 JBL Professional is showing its new VERTEC Series Model VT4889 3-way line array system at the PLASA Show in London and at the 113th Convention of the Audio Engineering Society in Los Angeles. Based on the loudspeaker manufacturer’s Vertical Technology™, the trapezoidal enclosure features new, patented and patent pending lightweight neodymium-based components said by JBL to offer significantly more output power for their size and weight than units available from any other supplier.

"The professional rental sound industry’s pressure to reduce size and complexity of speaker systems while increasing audio performance characteristics places ever-increasing demands on sound provider sand system operators," stated JBL Professional President Michael MacDonald. "With VERTEC, JBLPro combines the latest generation of high-powered, lightweight transducers with proven line array physics, so audio practitioners are now truly able to do ‘more with less’ and provide predicable, repeatable results."

Innovative acoustical elements, including the high frequency waveguide and the Radiation Boundary Integrator ™ (Patent Pending) reportedly provide seamless integration of bandpass outputs in the multi-way system, ensuring a smoother, more consistent coverage pattern than
previous line array systems. "VERTEC is the result of a team effort by designers, engineers, manufacturing experts and representatives of the live sound community," explained David Scheirman, Director of Tour Sound for JBL Professional and team leader for the VERTEC project. "This group, with more than 200 years of collective experience in designing and manufacturing loudspeaker systems, was able to create an innovative new system while integrating advanced new components, a lightweight enclosure and unique manufacturing techniques. After a lengthy period of methodical acoustical research, the intense team-based R&D environment allowed us to move ahead quickly with product development." Two 2255H 15" Differential Drive ® loudspeakers with neodymium magnets pack more low-end

punch with lighter weight than competitive products, while providing solid presence and a rich, full sound that makes subwoofers optional in many applications. With a 350 watt power rating, the 2250J high-powered 8" midrange cone transducer provides significantly higher output than competitive products. Arguably the world's most powerful midrange cone speaker, the 2250’s dual voice coils, Differential Drive® magnet and massive heatsinks enable exceptional system performance. Four are included in each VT4889.

With a patent pending, JBL’s innovative RBI™ (Radiation Boundary Integrator) serves a dual purpose. It reduces unwanted diffraction and optimizes high frequency energy and coverage, while ensuring optimum radiation characteristics of the high -powered midrange cones.

The RBI integrates the system’s midrange performance with the output of its high frequency components, which include 3 of JBL’s new 2435 compact neodymium compression drivers. With patents pending for unique phasing plug characteristics and innovative diaphragm manufacturing techniques, each of the 2435 1.5" exit drivers is fitted with a 3" diameter beryllium diaphragm for maximum high frequency output and sonic purity.

VERTEC’s axially symmetrical enclosure, which includes advanced composite materials, weighs just 152 pounds (69 kg) including rigging, a one-third weight reduction compared to competitive products. Easily transported, the hybrid-materials enclosure combines the best sonic characteristics of traditional boxes with the rigidity and strength of high-tech materials drawn from the aerospace industry. Perforated steel grilles with foam backing provide added protection to the weather-treated cone loudspeakers. Six conveniently located handles aid in transport and mobility. Each VERTEC enclosure measures only 47.75" W x 19.25" H x 21.5" D (1213mm x 489mm x 546mm) and is sized to stack on end two high in most typical rental truck bodies with interior ceiling heights as low as 96" (2438mm). The enclosure is trapezoidal with angled sides that allow the fronts to remain flush with one another while ensuring precision adjustments for optimum coverage.

All necessary hanging hardware is integral to VERTEC’s onboard rigging system. A set of precision tooled, sliding hinge bars is a permanent part of each enclosure. The hanging hardware for the VERTEC system has been carefully designed to enable safe, secure arrays that can be positioned at extreme angles if the application suggests the need. Up to 18 of the VT4889 enclosures can be suspended from one 4889-AF (Array Frame) with a 7:1 design factor. A combination protective front panel and trans-port dolly and a rugged soft cover are included.

JBL’s VERTEC Line Array Calculator, a predictive software application for system setup in different venues, is available for system users. This easy to use Excel application provides detailed information about the system’s predictive performance in audience areas. Box angles and array weights are combined with graphic illustrations of various array combinations and SPL expectations at various frequencies.