Alcons Extends Coverage of the QR24 Line-Source Column

Alcons Audio' QR24/110 is a modular 2-way column loudspeaker to be used as scalable vertical array system, for both permanent and (limited) portable applications. It combines a 1:1 linear and dynamic sound reproduction with intelligibility and throw, in even the acoustically most challenging environments.

The symmetrical acoustic design, in combination with the wide, patented 110° horizontal dispersion of the RBN High Frequency drivers (all the way up to 20kHz), offers a coherent horizontal pattern control with seamless coverage; This widens the "stereo sweet spot" significantly, for the off-axis positioned audience.

By using only 2 12" RBN pro-ribbon transducers for the mid-high frequencies, the system's 90% active frontal radiation results in a sharply-controlled vertical dispersion. This offers a unique, SPL-independent intelligibility-over-distance, without the necessity of DSP-based beam-shaping, the company says.

The flat frequency response and the fast transient response of the RBN mid-high frequency transducers, in combination with the sharply controlled dispersion, brings a maximum "gain-before-feedback" up to directly in front of / under the system.

Each purpose-designed RBN1203 12" pro-ribbon driver has a peak power handling of 2.000W (200 msec), creating a virtually infinite system MHF headroom of 4.000W from 1kHz up.

The low-mids are taken care of by 4x high-excursion, vented 6.5" transducers, which are co-axially mounted behind the pro-ribbon drivers, delivering a frequency response of 74Hz - 20.000Hz (-3dB).

The controlled (cylindrical) projection can be extended down to the lower frequencies by enlarging the array length through adding extra QR/QM modules (extending the "near field"). Up to two QR24 units can be combined on a single tripod stand, forming a 1,32m / 52" tall array; In flown configuration, up to 11 cabinets QR24 can be connected, with the integrated flying hardware under a safety-rating of 10:1, forming arrays of more than 7m/ 24' tall. The passive filtering allows multiple modules to be combined on one amplifier channel, up to three units.

The QR24/110 is powered and controlled by the ALC amplified loudspeaker controller; Through the integrated processing and feedback, the ALC offers QR24-specific drive processing with optimal response and reliability and utmost user-friendliness, the company says.

The Signal Integrity Sensing pre-wiring dynamically compensates for speaker cable/connector influences between the QR24 and ALC; This offers a 1:1, undistorted, natural sound reproduction, regardless of cable length and amplifier impedance load (system damping factor 10.000).

The QR24 is also available as QR24/80, with 80° horizontal dispersion and can be combined with the QR24/110 in the same array.

Certified EASE data for the QR24's with a 1° resolution accuracy is available on the Alcons website.

The QR24 comes with a 6-year "no-hassle" warranty.

Philip "Dr. Phil" de Haan, head of Alcons Audio R&D: "The QR24 remains a unique tool in the sound designers toolbox. We always get surprised looks when we demonstrate the unique razor-sharp edged vertical dispersion or the intelligibility at distances in excess of 100m / 330' with only 2 QR24 on a tripod stand."

Ever since the first installations at Red Bull's Hangar-7, the Koekelberg Basilica in Brussels, the Finnish National Theater, or the Flex club in Vienna, the scalable Q-series has made the crucial difference in tall ceiling theatres, reverberant churches, all-glass dome venues, low-ceiling clubs or deep, 10.000 seat council meetings.

De Haan continues: "the natural cylindrical wavefront of our pro-ribbons is the prominent part of the QR24's unique combination of a high-output, full-range HiFi response with a flat SPL coverage over distance, in even the most difficult acoustical environments. Or as a client put it: 'using Q-series is like switching off the room reverb'!"