Kali Audio’s Project Watts, the WS-6.2, is a studio subwoofer with two 6.5-inch horizontally opposed woofers. Taking up less than half the space of comparably performing subwoofers, it is ideal for stereo mix setups where space is at a premium. The WS-6.2 is tailor-made to be a companion sub to Kali’s LP-Series and IN-Series monitors, but it will also integrate well with just about any pair of studio monitors.

Project Watts
The WS-6.2 is only slightly larger than an 8-inch studio monitor, making it the perfect choice to sit under your desk, or in other tight spaces. The horizontally opposed woofers in the WS-6.2 present as much radiating area as a 10-inch woofer, but in a much smaller package. As an added benefit, the configuration of the woofers cancels out net vibration, so the sub won’t scoot, buzz, or rattle, even at high SPLs.

With 120dB max SPL, the WS-6.2 will be more than sufficient for most stereo setups, and will work well in small multichannel setups as well. If more SPL is needed, a second WS-6.2 can be added without taking up very much space. You can also look at using Kali’s larger WS-12 subwoofer.

Project Santa Monica
Project Santa Monica is Kali’s finest speaker yet, and combines its proven 3-way architecture with uncompromising components and craftsmanship. The SM-Series delivers unrivalled imaging, accuracy, and detail for the most critical applications. Project Santa Monica debuts with the SM-5-C, a passive 5-inch 3-way coaxial monitor for immersive mixing applications. The SM-5-C features tunings for LEA Connect Series amplifiers for high power with plenty of headroom.

Kali’s founding principle is to deliver the best possible product for the price, and its speakers have always been praised for their accuracy, translation, and ease of use. The SM-Series builds on these ideals, and incorporates the best available materials, components, and manufacturing. The result is a high performance studio monitor that is ready for the most demanding mixing and mastering applications.

The SM-Series speakers are acoustic point sources, and particular care has been given to the transition from the midrange to the baffle. This transition is seamless to the edge of the speaker, resulting in an engrossing stereo image where details are lifelike and crisp.

Project Watts
WS-6.2
Starting at US$499

Project Santa Monica
SM-5-C
Starting at US$999

As part of its 45th anniversary year, Genelec has unveiled the 8381A Smart Active Monitoring system, a flagship floor-standing Adaptive Point Source design that fuses exceptional precision and envelopment with unrivalled LF control, huge headroom, and high-resolution imaging. Designed for high-end music recording, mastering, and audiophile listening, the 8381A creates a free-standing full range monitoring solution that can intelligently adapt to any acoustic environment. For audio professionals, the 8381A produces accurate full-band mixes that translate consistently to other rooms and playback systems, while audiophiles will experience every detail and nuance of a musical performance, just as the creators intended it to be heard.

As a member of ‘The Main Ones’ range, the 8381A system is acoustically coaxial right down to bass frequencies, and draws on proven technology developed for Genelec’s patented and award-winning ‘The Ones’ family of point source monitors and the W371A Adaptive Woofer System, which themselves can combine to create a free-standing full-range monitoring system. However, the 8381A raises the performance bar even higher by offering controlled directivity and uncoloured response both on and off axis, with an ultra-wide frequency response spanning from 20 Hz to 35 kHz. Additionally, with almost 6 kW of amplifier power and a staggering maximum SPL of 126 dB — the highest figure ever achieved by a precision point source acoustic design — 8381A offers the most sophisticated features and specification of any audio monitor currently available.

At the heart of the 8381A is a proprietary high SPL Minimum Diffraction Coaxial (MDC) midrange/tweeter driver which — combined with a powerful Genelec DSP engine — delivers extraordinary clarity, imaging and adaptability. This MDC driver shares a common acoustical axis with the 8381A’s four complementary 5-inch dome drivers which are arranged as a midrange transduction system, and this unique array combines with a forward-facing 15-inch woofer to provide outstandingly stable directivity, control and coherence.

To further enhance and extend the 8381A’s low frequency reproduction, a pair of high performance 15-inch woofers employ the LF adaptive technology originally developed in the W371A, offering high resolution and supreme levels of low frequency control — despite the effects of room acoustics. This technology allows the 8381A to tailor performance carefully to the room, offering flatter, smoother in-room response at the listening location, with LF imaging coherent with the full audio range. This flat and neutral LF response minimises acoustic notching, and reduces detrimental reflections and resonances by the walls, ceiling or floor of the room.

As part of Genelec’s Smart Active Monitoring family, the 8381A integrates tightly with Genelec’s GLM software, which can configure, calibrate and control entire Genelec smart monitoring systems. Based on experience from thousands of studios around the world, GLM minimises the listening room’s influence on the sound, enabling the user to produce mixes that translate perfectly to other systems, whether the format is stereo, surround, or high channel count immersive. GLM also includes the ground-breaking GRADE room report feature, which gives the user a complete analysis of their room and monitoring system performance, providing specific observations and advice on any acoustical issues, helping users and studio designers alike to fine tune the room’s acoustic treatment, adjust monitor and listener positions, and optimise bass management.

Designed and manufactured to the highest standards of sustainability and environmental responsibility at Genelec’s headquarters in Iisalmi, Finland, the 8381A comes with a comprehensive SonicAdvisor system calibration and service package to jointly celebrate Genelec’s 45th anniversary, and the company’s total commitment to its customers and to sustainable development.

“The demand for high quality free-standing full-range monitoring systems has been clear from the exceptional response to The Ones and W371A combination,” comments Genelec Managing Director Siamäk Naghian. “It was also evident that there was a desire from customers for a free-standing system that could deliver even more headroom and increased low frequency extension. And while we continue to offer a wide range of soffit-mounting main monitors, we’re confident that the flexibility and mobility of a floor-standing adaptive system like the 8381A will provide the perfect solution for any discerning user seeking a truly next-generation sonic reference.”

German studio specialist Neumann.Berlin expands its line of reference-class studio monitors with the KH 150. The bi-amplified, DSP-controlled loudspeaker features the same high-resolution tweeter as all Neumann studio monitors and a newly developed 6.5-inch woofer with ultra-low distortion and high SPL capability. Despite its rather compact format, the KH 150 surprises with outstanding clarity, even at high volume, and extended low-end. The KH 150 has an exceptionally flat frequency response from 39 Hz to 21 kHz (±3 dB) and is recommended for all applications from broadcast to music production — including styles that require a powerful, deep low-end and/or elevated listening levels such as urban music, EDM, and film scoring.

“The KH 150 closes the gap between the KH 120 and the KH 310, but it does far more than that,” explains Portfolio Manager Stephan Mauer. “Its internal DSP engine offers many benefits such as a phase linearised crossover and a new level in tonal consistency. The KH 150 is made to extremely low tolerances of no more than ± 0.8 dB! ​ And you can hear it, too: Stereo imaging is razor-sharp.”

Digital electronics also allows the KH 150 to be calibrated via Neumann’s MA 1 Automatic Monitor Alignment (sold separately). “The KH 150 follows the same philosophy as all Neumann studio monitors: highest linearity, lowest distortion, no colouration, and perfect adaptability to any acoustic environment,” states Neumann’s CEO Ralf Oehl. “In our pursuit of sonic perfection, we not only optimise every parameter of the loudspeaker itself, we also include the greatest variable: the listening environment. The KH 150’s DSP engine perfectly integrates with Neumann’s game-changing MA 1 Automatic Monitor Alignment for best possible sound in any room.”

In addition, the KH 150 is extremely energy efficient. Neumann engineers took great care to develop a patent pending amplifier technology which combines superior audio performance with the energy efficiency of Class D. Although the KH 150’s amplifiers deliver up to 145 W to the 6.5-inch woofer and 100 W to the 1-inch tweeter, they only consume 17 W at idle. Auto-standby reduces power consumption to 0.3 W when the KH 150 has not been used for a while, but can be deactivated.

The KH 150 offers analogue and digital inputs (S/PDIF). It will also be available in an AES67 variant with redundant AES67 audio network ports that are fully compliant with broadcast standards such as ST 2110, ST 2022-7 redundancy, and RAVENNA. At the same time, the KH 150 AES67 is compatible with DANTE-generated AES67 network streams.

Features:

• Linear frequency and phase response
• DSP engine for outstanding performance and automatic room alignment via MA 1
• Deep low end down to 39 Hz and high SPL capability
• Analogue and S/PDIF connectivity, optionally with AES67

SRP inc. GST:
KH 150 AUD$3,349 / NZD$3,699
KH 150 AES67 AUD$3,849 / NZD$4,199

The KH 150 and KH 150 AES67 will be available in September 2022.

UK loudspeaker manufacturer PMC launches a new and exciting line of compact near-and midfield monitors for audio professionals working in stereo and large scale immersive formats.

The line consists of the PMC6, PMC6-2, and PMC8-2, along with their associated subwoofers the PMC8 SUB and PMC8-2 SUB. These monitors, which replace the company’s existing twotwo Series, have the same sound signature as PMC’s main monitor products and hence complement them well.

The creation of PMC’s new range is the result of a holistic approach to loudspeaker design, in which the company has recognised and addressed the impact all parts of the monitor has on its overall performance. PMC started from the ground up to deliver on the goal of “highest possible resolution with the lowest possible colouration”. Among the innovations PMC has incorporated are all-new drivers, new DSP and Class-D amplifiers, as well as significant improvements to the company’s proprietary ATL bass-loading and Laminair air flow technologies.

The low frequency extension of the new designs belies the cabinet dimension due to advancements in both woofer and ATL bass loading technology. These are scalable systems that can easily grow to suit the end user’s requirements. The active subs can be seamlessly combined with the monitors to create one of PMC’s unique twin-cabinet XBD systems that deliver extended bass and dynamics. Alternatively, they can be used as stand-alone LF monitors for sub channels. Future proofing has also been engineered into every model with advancements such as an expansion card slot for planned future signal interfacing options.

When it comes to configuration, PMC has paid close attention to making this as straightforward as possible via menu-driven controls on the rear panel, or through the company’s SOUNDALIGN network interface. Accessed through wired connections to any standard network via any web-browser on a PC, Mac or Tablet, SOUNDALIGN’s digital connectivity allows users to individually control each monitor or set them up in defined groups ideal for large scale immersive systems.

PMC is now taking pre orders for all models in the new range.