K-array KR400S Makes its U.S. Debut at Lincoln Center

In January, audio specialist Sennheiser announced the arrival of distributed brand K-array's latest portable loudspeaker: the KR400S. Two months ago, owner of Lou Mannarino, of New York-based L&M Sound & Light, used them for a special concert performance by The New York Philharmonic conducted by Marvin Hamlich at New York's legendary Avery Fisher Hall -- part of the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts complex. The performance featured special guest vocalist Idina Menzel.

Mannarino used a pair of the new K-array KR400S loudspeakers to cover the entire first tier of the 2,738 seat hall, situating them directly on the left and right side of the stage. "It was everything I hoped it would be and more," recalls Mannarino.

Mannarino --- a live sound veteran of 30 years -- was among the first in the U.S. to embrace K-array's innovative audio solutions. During the last couple of years, he has used the KR200S loudspeakers at a variety of concert performances in and around New York City, including at the wedding of Ivanka Trump in late 2009. Since he began using K-array, he has been an important role in the company's product development cycle: "Alex [Tatini, CEO of K-array] and Francesco [Maffei, product manager of K-array] constantly invite feedback and there is a very open dialog," says Mannarino. "They take the time and energy to call me and find out how their gear is performing, because they are passionate about getting it right."

"The KR400S recreated the natural tonality of everything Idina was doing onstage, and that's the reason it worked," says Mannarino. "I was able to keep everything open without the risk of feedback, and the directionality was constant. Whether you are in the third row or the tenth row, you want the loudspeaker system to reproduce exactly what is happening on stage." he adds that if he used a traditional P.A. system, the room would have required six mid-size line array boxes with two sub woofers, and that this would have created a very unnatural sound in the first few rows. "With the K-array, the sound dispersion is 120 degrees horizontally, and only seven degrees vertically. This allows you to reach every audience member with greater precision."

Mannarino says that the K-array KR400S lives up to even the highest possible expectations. "Everything we do in audio is service driven and it is important to be prepared with the best possible tools for the job," he concludes. "You don't expect a violinist to be changing strings or fixing cracks on his instrument in the middle of a rehearsal. The same must be true in live audio, and K-array understands this."

Crafted in Italy, the KR400S is an ultra-slim, two-way loudspeaker designed for small to medium wavefront systems in both mobile and installed applications. It includes two KR400 satellites and two KL21ma powered subwoofers. The KL21ma subwoofers feature a 2,500 watt, 21-inch drive unit with neodymium magnet structure and suspension, which is engineered for maximum line excursions. Its ultra-light reflex cabinet is fitted with four pocket handles and one 35 mm pole mounting point for easy installation of satellite speakers.

The KR400S also features a line array of 24"-by 3'-high efficiency neodymium magnet drivers enclosed in an ultra-strong chassis. Other features includes:

• Unique performance-to-size ratio
• High power 123 dB continuous, 188 dB peak
• Fitted with integral handles
• Line array emission wavefront
• Integrated mounting system
• On board DSP, with 16 dedicated presets
• Remote PC control software (RS485)
• Ultra-fast set-up and dismantling system

K-array loudspeakers are renowned worldwide for offering a wide-range of flexible solutions for every possible live audio and installed sound application. This includes concert halls, theatres, clubs, outdoor venues, corporate and institutional facilities, houses of worship, broadcast studios and more, reports the company.