San Diego-based Vue Audiotechnik is introducing a new subcompact line array system at NAMM this week. The subcompact line array market it heating up, and while not the right choice for every application, there are plenty of situations where they are just right. The new al-4 system has some very interesting features that look—on paper at least—like a great solution for portable churches or smaller venues on a campus.
The al-4 system is modular, and is sold in “blocks.” A block is made up of eight al-4 Acoustic Elements (speaker boxes) and a V4 Systems Engine (amplifier). Configured as a LF-HF-LF box, the al-4 Acoustic Elements use two four-inch Kevlar cone neodymium woofers and a Vue-designed one-inch exit neodymium compression driver with Truextent beryllium diaphragm. Horizontal coverage is specified at 90 degrees, vertical coverage is determined by the number of boxes.
The V4 Systems Engine is quite interesting. The two-rack space amp is a two-in, four-out design that will power eight bi-amped al-4 speakers with 1600W of LF and 500W of HF power. It's also networkable, with both an Ethernet in and out—which means you can easily put additional amps on the network without a switch. Vue offers software for both Windows and Mac, and the amp has full system processing DSP built-in.
The al-4 Acoustic Elements can be flown (up to 16 elements from a single fly bar) or ground stacked (four at a time with a U-Bracket). At under 19 inches wide and five inches high, they certainly present a low profile. For rooms with low ceilings, this would be very welcome. And at 72 pounds per side (assuming four speakers), you wouldn't likely need to add a bunch of steel to hang them, either.
We haven't heard them yet, but this has great potential to be a perfect portable system. When combined with some of their subs, it would be a very easy load in and out. Two amps would be sufficient, and because you can daisy chain the speakers together, cabling is very easy. Built-in DSP saves money, rack space and complexity, and I'm very glad to see manufacturers adding networking by default. And as the church grows, additional amps and modules can be added to expand the system. No word on pricing, but this is one system to watch.
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