HK Audio Introduces The Scalable ConTour Array Speaker System

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HK Audio debuted the innovative ConTour Array™ at this year's Pro Light & Sound tradeshow in Frankfurt. This scalable Concert Sound system is the first cost-effective Line Array solution for events of up to 2,500 people.

"The ConTour Array™ closes the gap between conventional PA-systems and large format Line Arrays for the touring market," comments Marketing Director Stefan Fischer. "This new system finally makes it cost-effective for local rental companies and touring cover and tribute bands to take advantage of Line Array technology."

The ConTour Array™ is equipped with HK Audio's patent-applied-for DDO-Pro™ technology, an unprecedented approach to tackling the problems of the physics of PA speakers: The speakers' inertial masses cause distortion and falsification of the critical signal attacks. The consequences of such distortion range from a lack of definition and depth to masking instruments entirely. So far, these symptoms have been alleviated by extensive use of EQs, compressors and expanders. DDO-Pro™ now remedies the cause and frees up all those processors for sound design tasks instead: this new technology ensures the faithful reproduction of signal attacks by synchronizing the different inertial masses of low, midrange and high frequency speakers - yielding an ultra-precise dynamic response and a natural-sounding, amazingly vivid sonic image. DDO-Pro™ provides live sound engineers with a new way to create better sound faster.

The ConTour Array™ consists of two system components, the CTA 208 mid/high unit and the active CTA 118 SUB with two on-board 1,000 Watt RMS PWM power amps. It is scalable from a compact club satellite system to a two meter long line array for bigger events and adapts to the most diverse sound reinforcement situations.

The CTA 208 mid/high Line Array unit produces an extremely stable Line Array wave with great range and low susceptibility to wind. It is loaded with two 8" Neodymium speakers and four 1" drivers, which are connected to two HK AUDIO HF transformers based on the COHEDRA AcousticLens™ technology. In combination with DDO-Pro™, this pairing delivers an outstandingly natural-sounding response. The CTA 208 units are stackable or may be flown, which greatly expands the system's scope of use and makes it suitable for almost any environment.

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The active direct-loaded CTA 118 SUB is the heart of the system and includes all of the electronics such as the 56-bit DDO-Pro™ digital controller and two 1,000 Watt RMS power amps. One power amp drives the CTA 118's 18" speaker; the second one is configured to drive a mid/high unit.

Filter presets for the various setups ensure peak system performance and reliability at all times. The appropriate preset is easily selected on the controller's integrated display for instant activation. The system's networking ability is yet another useful feature when using multiple CTA 118s: the settings may be selected on any sub and the changes are then automatically transmitted to all connected units.

The Array offers outstanding handling thanks to its integrated 3-point rigging assembly: The mid/high units can easily be assembled for flying or stacking without tools. The use of neodymium speakers results in the mid/high unit's very low weight, and the special Dual Curve Rigging System makes it easy to adapt the array quickly to any given situation from near-field to long-throw. For smaller club configurations, the CTA 208 mid/high units are equipped with HK AUDIO's DuoTilt™ pole mount.

The ConTour Array's™ flexibility and configuration alternatives go beyond the system's own speaker options by allowing the combination of CTA 118 SUBs with the HK Audio's ConTour Series™ models CT 108, CT 112 and CT 115 - suitable controller presets are included. This additional expansion possibility warrants high cost-effectiveness and a safe return on investment for rental companies.

For more information, visit their web site at www.hkaudio.com.