K-array Mugello-KH2
Headquartered in Florence, Italy, K-array has made recent changes to its organizational structure to bring its unique loudspeaker designs closer to America. Part of the process included employing long-time audio industry veteran Rusty Waite as president of K-array USA. When I first met Rusty over the phone, the only thing I knew about K-array was that they made the Anaconda, a flexible speaker you could lay at the edge of the stage as a portable near-field solution. But after talking with Waite and learning what K-array had to offer for larger venues, I was excited to see and hear more. The company’s massive success in European markets made me eager to check out what they have for the church market here in the United States—and specifically to try out K-array at my church, Rolling Hills Community Church in Franklin, Tenn.
Mugello in the house
The first part of the planning process for the demo began with the K-array team simulating our worship space in their software to determine coverage and steerability. Later, when they sent me the gear list, I thought they had attached the wrong document: surely more speakers were needed to match the coverage pattern in the room. However, Waite and the team assured us their calculations were correct. A few days later the shipment arrived, and we down-rigged our current PA. I was nervous. What had I gotten myself into? What if it didn’t work? What if it sounded awful? What if the prediction software was wrong?
The auditorium here at Rolling Hills Community Church is 100 feet wide by 110 feet deep, and is built into a former warehouse/manufacturing building with flat, concrete floors, an exposed metal roof and removable seating. The space can seat up to 1,200 people and can use some additional acoustical treatment, in my opinion.
The shipment from K-Array featured the company’s Mugello series line array system, loudspeakers based on the company’s top-of-the-line touring systems called Firenze. We received eight Mugello-KH2 self-powered loudspeakers with built-in DSP, each loaded with two eight-inch neodymium magnet woofers and two 1.4-inch compression drivers. The Mugello-KH2 is the smallest member of the Mugello family of compact, lightweight line arrays. With frequency response of 70–19,000 Hz (+/- 2 dB), these are remarkable full-range boxes--especially for the size.
To round out the low end, we received three Mugello-KS5 self-powered subwoofers with dual 21-inch woofers. Three K-array Dragon-KX12 two-way loudspeakers served as fills. Lastly, our system included the K-array Kommander-KA14 power amplifier and digital signal processor (DSP).
Having evaluated this system over several weeks, it is clear that K-array is here and ready to play ball.
Meeting the gear
What I immediately noticed while we were unpacking the boxes was the ease of installation. Because of the nature of the design and the technology inside, we simply stacked four KH2s on the stage under the hang point and because of their shape they were able to support themselves while we inserted the connecting pins into the rigging system. After attaching the array frame, up went a PA system that was half the size of the one we had just taken down.
Andrea Torelli
K-array Mugello-KH2 cluster
Because these were new speakers coming straight from the factory in Tuscany, Italy, all they needed was a quick firmware update. In doing this we learned a bit more about the K-array approach to product design—specifically, their amplifiers and DSP. Instead of reinventing the wheel with the electronics in each new product, K-array offers a powerful amplifier and DSP in all their self-powered speakers. The DSP is essentially a four-channel mixer with two analog inputs, one line out passthrough then a second one with a DSP bypass feature, AES in and out, and a Remote (RS485) in/out. Dante networking options are also available. The amplifier is a 2 x 1000 W at 8 ohms.
In many cases, the internal amplifiers on the K-array speakers are capable of powering another speaker, like a front fill.
For example, the KS5 sub features the same DSP module as the KH2 full-range box. In many cases, the internal amplifiers on the K-array speakers are capable of powering another speaker, like a front fill. One exception is the KS5 subwoofer, because it needs all the energy for the 21-inch woofers. But on smaller subs, the front fills can simply be powered off the sub.
With the new K-array PA in the air and wired up via the AES network, we ran the control line (just an XLR cable) back to the FOH desk and got ready to load the software profile. Waite and Ken Blecher, technical sales rep for K-array USA, simply loaded the EASE Focus (acoustic prediction software) file that was created for our room and the K-array software took it from there. Because of the electronic beam steering capability, the line array was basically hung completely vertical, without the need for the traditional steep curve or array arc. Because of personal preference and an effort to help the sight lines in our room, I wanted the K-array system pulled up higher than our regular PA. Waite calculated that change in the software and we were in business.
In addition to the steerable coverage, the Mugello line also incorporates the company’s Slim Array Technology, which not only aids in a tight pack for a tour company and clean, easy installation, but offers a “miracle” maintaining a hyper-cardioid (highly directional) pattern in the mid range, where other line arrays tend to be more omnidirectional. This helps keep the sound off the stage, which can lower the chance of feedback, help the band create cleaner monitor mixes, and reduce odd reflections that can muddy the sound in the house.
In practice
Due to a stage extension that was added years after installation of the regular PA, the hang points for the loudspeakers are several feet behind the lip of the stage. Definitely not ideal, but it’s not been an issue with our existing PA. However, the Mugello’s output pattern is 110 degrees wide. That’s wider than our regular PA. During our first rehearsal with the worship band, we found ourselves battling a feedback from the front line worship leader mics. Again, I started to worry about what Sunday was going to be like. But quickly Waite stepped in and showed off K-array’s steerability. Just a few clicks later in the software, he added a hard edge so the loudspeaker coverage avoided the front of the stage. The SPL on stage was greatly reduced and the feedback issues were gone. He later showed off more of its ability with just a few more clicks in the software when he “told” the system to avoid the back 35 feet of the room. The PA went from a rock concert in the back row to being conducive to having a normal conversation with the person next to you. Impressive to say the least.
... this system that’s half the size of our regular PA is amazingly powerful –especially the Mugello-KS5 subs with 21-inch drivers.
Speaking of rock concert, this system that’s half the size of our regular PA is amazingly powerful –especially the Mugello-KS5 subs with 21-inch drivers. The amount of air they move could probably knock over a small child. I think there is still some low end rumbling its way through the building two weeks after the demo.
We kept the PA flown for four weeks. At that time, we had a youth concert, a funeral, an outdoor rental, and four Sunday services. I had multiple engineers mix on the system over the four-week demo so we could get multiple opinions. The initial reaction was that the improved coverage of the K-array system was better than what we have in installed, especially in the back and sides, which have been a struggle. This is a testament to K-array’s Electronic Beam Steering, the software and digital signal processing. We had no issues with brand new, out-of-the-box equipment. It stayed on and functioned flawlessly throughout the entire demo.
One of my concerns was support from the manufacturer since the speakers feature some sophisticated technology. I have since learned that K-array has established a subsidiary and distribution network here in the US so if an issue arises, I won’t have to wait for things to arrive from Italy.
The dual 21-inch KS5 created a lot of low end. The youth loved it, but it was a bit of a struggle at times on Sundays to keep it full and not overwhelming.
End results
The top-end sound is where our team had the most discussion. When I read the specs, I originally became concerned we would miss some mid-range with only having eight-inch woofers in the line array boxes and the 21-inch subs on the floor getting the deep bass. After hearing it and mixing on it for several weeks, we found that the technology in the line array made great use of the eight-inch woofers and filled in the midrange sound better than I could have imagined.
When our team discussed the system, there were two schools of thought and I really think it boils down to personal preference. Some thought the K-array Mugello system gave a modern, quick, tight-attack feel as opposed to the softer, warmer sound of our existing PA. Others felt the high-end vocal range could get brittle. But everyone agreed the system would get up and go. You had PA for days--and it’s half the size of our current PA.
But does size matter? In many cases, it does. Smaller size can mean fewer boxes and that can mean less money out of pocket. Smaller size can also mean better sight lines, especially in buildings where loudspeakers are hung in between projectors and video screens. In addition, smaller arrays are not as heavy, and this can help with structural concerns and weight issues in certain buildings, especially historical and traditional structures.
The public reaction from those in our church audience included only compliments about the fullness and intelligibility of the vocals coming from the K-array Mugello powered line array loudspeaker system. Having evaluated this system over several weeks, it is clear that K-array is here and ready to play ball.
