The club area, where the music is typically a mix of hip-hop, house and funk, features a pair of EAW Avalon Series DC2 three-way loudspeakers horizontally mounted above the raised dance floor. Four SB1002 dual-18-inch subwoofers provide additional low frequency coverage down to a floor-shaking 28 Hz. Powersoft Digam LD3004, D2002 and K3 amplifiers provide the power to the club sound system. Two ultra-compact EAW UB82e loudspeakers powered by a Powersoft LD2004 amplifier ensure even coverage to the DJ and VIP areas.

Chandan Mahtani, Managing Director for ProAktiv Systems, stated, "This is the only club in Cambodia that can boast to be the best in the country. The owner did not compromise on the décor or the sound and lighting system. He had visited TAO in Vegas some years ago and wanted something similar for his club."

The lounge area at Elements, where locals and visitors can retreat for chilled drinks and relaxed conversation, is served by a distributed system of 13 compact, full range EAW VR62 dual-six-inch loudspeakers, together with a single SB150z subwoofer. EAW CAZ1400 and CAZ2500 amplifiers power the lounge's background music speaker setup. Downstairs, in a smaller lounge area, ProAktiv Systems installed a pair of SMS5 loudspeakers and three SBX220 subwoofers. The systems integrator also installed two EAW UX8800 digital signal processors to handle speaker management and system optimization throughout the nightclub.

"We have had good success with EAW in many of the systems we've done for the church," notes Donner. "We've looked at other loudspeaker options, and nothing really compares to the performance we get from the EAW speakers, especially for a building of this size."

The P.A. system in the Atlanta arena-style location consists of three EAW KF760 Long-Throw Line Array Modules and four EAW KF761 Short Throw Line-Array Modules in a flown line array on both sides of the stage, with three KF760s and four KF761s for the center array, completing an L-C-R main P.A. system. There are sixteen EAW SB1000z Large Format Subwoofers placed eight per side. Donner chose six EAW JF80z Compact Full-Range Loudspeakers for the front fill and 22 EAW UB82 Near-field Loudspeakers for under-balcony fills. Five EAW KF737 High-Q Line Array Modules handle out-fills. In the choir area, four EAW KF730 Compact Line Array Modules hang from the ceiling, and four EAW KF650z Compact Array Loudspeakers are used as side-fills, two per side.

The 2,500-seat Charlotte church facility presented architectural construction issues that compelled a modification to the sound system design. Structural changes meant that certain speakers had to hang lower than originally planned. However, thanks to the flexibility of EAW loudspeakers, the church was able to use all of the original sound system design components. The church's L-C-R arrays use eighteen KF730s and six EAW SB730 Compact Line Array Subwoofers with three SB1000z subwoofers on the floor for added low end support. Six JF50z compact loudspeakers are built in to the stage edge for front fills and six JF80z loudspeakers address the under-balcony fill.

In Charlotte, the EAW DX8 DSP Digital Matrix Mixer and DX810 DSP-based digital audio mixer and signal processors are integrated into the system, as is the EAW UX8800 Digital Signal Processor with EAW Focusing technology, assuring a perfectly tuned system. Says Donner, "EAW always delivers and we're very pleased with that."

The direct result of end-user feedback, the market-driven, easy-to-use DX1208 represents the next generation of Digital Signal Processing (DSP) from EAW. The DX1208 maintains EAW's high standards while providing end users with an intuitive, high-performance, yet cost effective solution. Its expandability options, combined with its deep feature set, make this mixer ideal for a wide range of commercial and install applications. Now, with full Crestron integration, the DX1208 provides installers and system integrators an even more flexible DSP solution.

Dave Raneses, EAW Commercial Product Manager, stated, "We are pleased to be able offer full Crestron integration capabilities with our DX1208. As Crestron is one of the leading control system solutions in the world, being a member in the Integrated Partner Program offers Installers and system Integrators the opportunity to leverage the combined strength of our brands. Moreover, programming resources can be minimized by using the Crestron modules, ultimately helping profit margins for customers."

Dominick Accurso, Crestron Integrated Partner Program Manager, stated, "We are happy to have EAW as an integrated partner and pleased to release a Crestron module for their DX1208 Matrix Mixer, which can be downloaded for free by Crestron account holders on our website."

The official cheering club of South Korean soccer, "The Red Devils," named Seoul's COEX Mall as its official 2010 FIFA World Cup cheer venue. To accommodate the 100,000+ fans, Seoul officials closed off The COEX to automobile traffic and installed LED screens, stages and sound systems. Despite the inner-city venue's challenges, crowds enjoyed great sound, thanks to EAW^®'s critically acclaimed KF740 and KF760 loudspeakers systems.

Elan Korea and TFOS Plus, two leading touring companies in Korea, called upon Chung-Bo Sound Inc., EAW's Korean distributor, to provide sound for the event. "EAW was used on two of the three stages. We needed to provide an incredibly high-output system that could intelligibly broadcast play-by-play action to the sea of red-faced fans," stated Hyungjoon Jee, General Manager for Chung-Bo Sound. "These EAW units delivered beautifully."

To meet the demands, TFOS Plus used EAW's new KF740, eight per side, all powered by EAW's UX8800 Digital Processor. Elan Korea, on another stage, deployed an EAW KF760 line array rig consisting of eight KF760's per side (left and right) and six EAW BH760 Bent Horn Subwoofers per side (left and right). They also used two EAW KF730's for center fill and 10 EAW SM84's as monitors, all powered by 12 Lab.gruppen FP1000Q's.

"Everyone doesn't just watch the game on TV at home. They go out to the streets to support their teams as a family," remarked Jee. "The attendees deserve great sound, and we are happy to service them with great EAW loudspeakers. Both Elan Korea and TFOS Plus are great fans of EAW and agree that the equipment is very easy to set-up, especially the KF740."

The World Cup has put South Africa high on the world's must-watch list, and the capital city's nightclub scene is up to the task, thanks to the VDP Group's club designs and great sound from EAW^®'s incredible Avalon Series. The newest jewel in VDP's global crown is Clapham Gold, which opened earlier this year in Johannesburg. The sound system, designed and installed by Johannesburg-based Surgesound, is the fourth of VDP's South African locations to use the same Avalon Series components in the same system configuration. Other VDP Clubs include the Manhattan Club in Johannesburg and the Clapham Grand in Durban.

The sound system consists of four EAW Avalon Series DCS2 Bent Horn Dance Subwoofers and four Avalon Series DC4 Medium-Format Dance Club Loudspeakers in the dance floor area, powered by Lab.gruppen C-Series and FP+ Series amplifiers with all processing handled by EAW's UX8800. Four CIS400 Ceiling Loudspeakers serve the club's reception area, and four Avalon Series SMS5 Surface Mount Loudspeakers provide sound for the outdoor bar are and are controlled by a EAW UX8800 Digital Signal Processor with proprietary EAW Focusing technology.

Andrew Rowan, Founder of Surgesound, says the EAW Avalon series components have provided consistently exceptional performance at all of the VDP venues. "We are happy with the way the system has performed in all the clubs," he states. "The system in this configuration, used in Clapham Gold, has become a standard in most VDP Group venues. The Clapham Gold is the fourth venue from the Group to employ this setup. It's a powerful, reliable and sophisticated system that delivers on its promise superbly."

Guy Baranyay of VDP noted, "The EAW system is performing magnificently. Within the club environment it is generally very difficult to attain the utopia of soul shaking power on the dance floor combined with quality/fidelity of sound in the more social areas of the club. It's incredible to see the EAW system meet this ideal. It's very pleasing to see customers talking to one another with ease around the bars and tables before shouting out the latest tunes on the dance floor moments later."

Not surprisingly, the EAW Avalon Series has been a hit everywhere it's been implemented. Numerous groundbreaking EAW technologies form the core of the series, including advanced horn and phase-plug technologies found in the flagship KF700 Series line of concert loudspeakers. Another technique employed to great effect is Tuned Dipolar Array (TDA), which provides the most focus control of low-frequency energy devised to this point.

EAW was recently selected as the loudspeaker of choice for Melbourne, Victoria, Australia's Moomba Festival. The Festival is the continent's largest and longest-running event of its type, held annually since 1954. While the Moomba Festival is not a music festival, in recent years, the show organizers have introduced a free music stage where popular Australian acts play for those attending the festival. This year, performers included popular recording artists Vanessa Amorosi and GRAMMY^® winner Colin Hay. For event P.A., organizers selected several EAW models for their durability and sound quality. As it turned out, the 2010 Moomba Festival saw some particularly bad weather conditions, but EAW loudspeakers more than passed the test, keeping the music going after Melbourne's worst storm in half a century and performing flawlessly well after the weather had moved on.

The loudspeaker configuration included 16 EAW KF740 3-Way Full Range Line Array Modules, arranged eight per side, and eight EAW SB1002 Large Format Flyable Subwoofers, arranged four per side. The entire P.A. was powered by Powersoft K10 amplifiers. Ben Clarke, System & Projects Manager for Production Audio, EAW's Australian distributor, stated "We ran the KF740 system completely full range, and deployed the SB1002 array in a cardioid fashion on the deck. The system ran in true stereo, with no aux-fed subs or other enhancements. There was much concern and disbelief about our placement instructions, but when the system was phase aligned and balanced, which took less than 10 minutes, it resulted in unanimous jaw-dropping - a very effective festival configuration."

Graeme Stevenson, Managing Director for Production Audio, stated, "During the festival, Melbourne had its worst 'superstorm' in 50-plus years. Hailstones up to four inches in diameter, flash flooding and up to three inches of rain fell within a few hours on Saturday. Still, the festival stage was a big success, despite the storm, and everyone was impressed and thrilled that the system performed so perfectly while being subjected to these conditions,"

Colin Hay's FOH Engineer Mike "Ace" Baker, who has also worked with Sammy Hagar, Aretha Franklin and Hay's former band Men at Work, was impressed with the durability of the system. He stated, "Wow. We had no sound check, it was pouring rain and it was the first day of our tour. But who cares?! The rig sounded amazing and seemed to chase the rain away. EAW once again retains its spot on the top of my riders."

As the popular saying goes, the show must go on. Stated Stevenson, "After the system was dried out from Saturday's storm, it performed flawlessly on Sunday and Monday, running for a good ten hours straight on both days."

New York's Major League Soccer team, the New York Red Bulls, finally have a place to call home. The new Red Bull Arena, in Harrison, New Jersey, was completed on March 20, 2010, and features outstanding sound, thanks to EAW^®, a world leader in audio system solutions.

The arena features a European design, with a canopy that encircles the entire two-tiered seating area. The first row seats are approximately 21 feet from the touchlines, while the following rows are steeply raked, creating an intimate experience for fans that are closer to the playing field than in traditional U.S. soccer stadiums.

"This is the only soccer stadium of its kind in the United States," states Brian Elwell, Project Manager for Acoustic Dimensions. A catwalk that follows the path of the canopy made access to the hang points easier, but the proximity of the canopy to the seats created coverage challenges for the P.A. system design.  The closer speakers were located to seating areas, the less dispersion that each speaker could deliver. At the same time, however, simply adding boxes to expand the density of coverage would not have been cost effective. The solution was a combination of boxes from EAW's AX and MK Series of products.

Utilizing the canopy, P.A. system designer Acoustic Dimensions specified a system of alternating hang points along the perimeter of the 1,400+-linear-foot-long canopy. Each main hang point features an EAW AX364-WP Arrayable Install Loudspeaker (aimed for long-throw use), an EAW MK2399-WP Two-Way Full Range Installation Loudspeaker (rear firing) and an EAW MK2394-WP Two-Way Full Range Installation Loudspeaker (down firing). These main clusters alternate with intermediate hangs consisting of an additional MK2399-WP (rear firing) and an MK2394-WP (down firing). EAW AX396-WP Arrayable Install Loudspeaker units were used along the 350 feet of canopy over the west press box side of the arena. A total of 24 AX Series speakers and 82 MK Series speakers were used.

"In terms of the amount of output versus the cost per box, EAW was by far the best choice," says Elwell. "Their coverage pattern met all of our needs and from a cost point of view they are the most efficient available. We've been extremely pleased with the overall coverage we've gotten with this P.A. system - it gives us great sound at every single seat."

Casey Sherred, consultant with Acoustic Dimensions on the project, cites the AX Series cabinets' full-range design as another crucial reason for their choice. "We didn't have to do a crossover in DSP because the cabinet sounds great on its own," he explains. "Then you add the EAW Focusing alignment and driver processing via the EAW UX8800 dual-mode digital processor, which further enhances the performance of the cabinet, and that makes the system really shine," he adds. "We get great performance out of a very cost-effective solution without having to spend additional money on DSP crossover amplification. That's really incredible."

Perhaps incidentally, the Red Bulls won their very first exhibition game in their new home, and won their first regular-season game with a 1-0 victory over the Chicago Fire on March 27. The sound certainly didn't hurt.

Soccer fans at four official FIFA Fan Fest™ venues in South Africa followed the games taking place at the main stadiums in the World Cup competition via EAW® speaker systems provided by Surgesound, EAW's South African distributor. The systems consisted of 48 KF760 and 12 KF761 line array modules, including a complement of 48 SB1000z subs, with 48 KF730 compact line array modules and 48 SB730 subs providing in-fill. Monitoring was performed with EAW SM12 units, and 24 UX8800 Digital Signal Processor units provided processing. Surgesound recently delivered a large complement of EAW speakers to Johannesburg-based The Sound Corporation, one of the biggest professional audio production houses in South Africa, in time for installation at the fan parks.

The Sound Corporation installed EAW speaker systems at Soweto (Johannesburg), Rustenburg, Bloemfontein and Nelspruit. It was the only production company to be awarded more than two official FIFA Fan Fest sites out of the total of nine fan parks across South Africa.

For the thousands of eager football fans not lucky enough to get tickets for the big matches, FIFA Fan Fest areas provided the perfect alternative, allowing people to share in the football fever and take in the match on giant screens supported with world-class audio systems. According to official FIFA attendance figures, 300,000 fans gathered at the country's Fan Fest venues, including 75,000 just at the Soweto Johannesburg location, for the month-long competition's opening match between South Africa and Mexico.

Andrew Rowan, Founder of Surgesound, commented, "The Sound Corporation has been a great client for many years and currently has the biggest EAW system in Africa." The Sound Corporation recently welcomed the arrival of 60 EAW KF760 large-format line array speakers and 48 EAW SB1000z subwoofers.

Surgesound additionally supplied amplifiers from Lab.gruppen, with whom EAW recently announced a strategic partnership, to power the EAW speaker systems at the four fan zones. "We are extremely proud that a production house of The Sound Corporation's caliber can trust EAW and Lab.gruppen products with their high-profile gigs," said Rowan.

The Playground Weekender is a uniquely Australian music festival that has emerged as an eclectic gathering featuring a diverse mix of international and local artists, coupled with a relaxed outdoor atmosphere featuring multiple music stages, cabaret acts, a cocktail bar, a healing area, yoga and an array of international food and market stalls. The P.A. system had to cover a large area with great sound but also needed to be well integrated into the visual presentation, and to go up quickly. The KF740 fit all of these requirements.

The main system consisted of 24, high output, 3-way KF740 modules flown in two line arrays on either side of the stage using 12 KF740 modules each. These were augmented with eight EAW SB1002 Large Format dual-18 Subwoofers and 16 EAW SB1000z Large Format Subwoofers, as well as four EAW KF650z Compact Array Loudspeakers offering 60-degree horizontal dispersion used as front fills. Powersoft DIGAM K10 amplifiers powered the KF740s, and Lab.gruppen FP6400 amps were used to power the system's subs. The Norwest crew had the entire system flown in under and hour.

"One of the advantages of using this array is that it isn't as heavy as some other arrays, and still packs a lot of punch," observes Scott Harrison, Audio Systems Engineer at Norwest Productions. "As we were hanging [the system off] of the stage roof superstructure, weight was very important. Given the short time frame we had to get the P.A. in the air, the easy rigging was a great advantage. With input from EAW's Resolution software, we got a hang that looked like what the computer said it should, and covered all the area it needed to. From start to finish we had both of our 12-box hangs flown in under an hour." The KF740's highly efficient use of power also helped keep weight down. "We were also able to keep the rig down to one amp rack per side, plus a sub rack," says Harrison.

Every mixer and technician who worked that stage at Playground Weekender had nothing but positive comments about it. "All the engineers who came to mix were impressed with the sound of the P.A.," says Harrison. "In particular, I had comments about how even the sound was, in both planes - left to right, and the transitions between boxes front to back - how it had a great presence without being overpowering, and how well it carried right out past 250 feet from the stage." And the KF740 worked as hard and flawlessly as the performers themselves - Harrison notes that the rig operated at medium-to-high SPL during the weekend for an estimated crowd of approximately 10,000 people. "We never saw a sign of a clip light or any signs of speaker stress," he says, noting the diversity of artists using the system, ranging from 3-piece bands to 25-piece orchestras, as well a choir. "The tonal character of the system was considered excellent. I thought the SPL and clarity of the boxes was great, and when combined with the weight/size combo and the easy rigging, it goes up fast, and doesn't disappoint. I'd definitely use it again."

The Jakarta International Java Jazz Festival has become one of the world's largest and most comprehensive music festivals. The 2010 event, which took place March 5th through March 7th, saw over 100,000 music fans come to hear almost 200 performances by artists including John Legend, Bob James, Lee Ritenour, Toni Braxton, George Duke, Kenny "Babyface" Edmonds and more. Regardless of the genre of music, the EAW® stages sounded full and clear thanks to world-class sound from the renowned KF series of line arrays.

This year, the festival took place at the Jakarta International Expo Kemayoran (JIE), which presented an acoustical challenge. But those challenges were overcome by the exceptional sound offered by the KF Series speakers. "JIE is an exhibition venue," Andre Supryanata from Sumber Ria Sound, the pro audio rental company in charge, was quoted as saying. "But it fits perfectly to accommodate the festival's growing audience. What we have to do now is present the best audio system that can cover up the lacking acoustic treatment of the building."

In total, P.T. Kairos Multi Jaya, EAW's Indonesian distributor, working closely with Sumber Ria Rental Company, outfitted six of the event's eight stages with over 88 EAW KF760 Line Array Modules, which included the recently-unveiled KF740 3-Way Full Range Line Array Loudspeakers as delays at two of the stages. Halls D1 and D2 were the main stages of the event, using the KF760s configured in L-R clusters of 12 cabinets per side, and 20 EAW SB550L vented subwoofers provided massive amounts of clear and punchy bass. In Halls A2 and A3, Sumber Ria slightly altered that configuration, using 10 KF760s per side. Jonathan Steiner, the FOH mix engineer for the opening night at Hall D1, notes that, "The show went on brilliantly, possibly better than ever." Pratama Budiman, also with Sumber Ria, echoed that sentiment, adding, "The EAW KF Series simply sounds great. That's the way the FOH mixers and everyone else felt."

"At the onset, the integration of EAW's lauded DSP, most notably Focusing™, will ensure seamless integration and optimum performance of EAW loudspeaker systems matched with Lake Processors, Lab.gruppen Powered Loudspeaker Management™ (PLM™) systems, and Powersoft amplifiers," commented Jeffrey Cox, LOUD Technologies' Pro Audio Group VP. "And once the sales component of the partnership is implemented, EAW will proudly offer a range of amplifier solutions from the best in the business," added Cox.

"An EAW and Powersoft relationship is a natural," explained Thomas Mittelmann, Powersoft Business Development Manager. "We stand fully behind it because it's truly market-driven and will reward the trade with specifically tailored system solutions. And once we finalize the sales component of the relationship, the trade will be rewarded with even broader access to Powersoft amplification in EAW system sales," added Mittelmann.

Klas Dalbjorn, Lab.gruppen and Lake Product Research Manager, explained, "We strive to make our processing solutions the easy choice in professional sound reinforcement and we are happy to have reached this agreement that allows us to support EAW greybox files with Focusing in our PLM Series and Lake Processing products."

"Additionally, Lab.gruppen and EAW are working to expand the relationship to allow EAW access to Lab.gruppen products in providing complete system solutions; expect a market announcement on this expanded partnership during the 3rd quarter," said Michael Munch, Lab.gruppen's VP of Strategic Product Management.

The companies expect the EAW DSP integration to be complete in Q3, 2010.

EAW launches its new QX Series loudspeakers, optimized for installed system applications that require precise directivity in a powerful low-profile form. Engineered and manufactured at EAW's Whitinsville, Massachusetts facility, the QX Series provides size-efficient yet very high output point source clusters. The series is particularly geared toward medium-to-large-sized spaces including sports arenas but is also designed for a wide range of other venues requiring high power and consistent coverage in a compact housing, including houses of worship, outdoor stadiums, performing arts venues, theaters and clubs.

The passive, wired-for-biamplification QX Series draws on the knowledge and engineering resources gained through the development of EAW's lauded AX Series, maintaining its reputation of "big horns in compact packages." The natural sound of the QX Series is unmistakable, and its ability to create custom, seamless arrays is unmatched. All full-range models have squared, symmetrical, dual-trapezoidal enclosures to provide extensive array flexibility. A centrally located co-axial MF/HF horn and two pairs (four) of phase-aligned neodymium 12-inch low frequency transducers team together to ensure that the entire frontal area contributes to horizontal and vertical pattern control capability. The result is an extremely natural sounding loudspeaker with excellent pattern control and low distortion.

Jeff Rocha, EAW Senior Director of Engineering, stated, "Our new QX Series models offer high-end acoustical consultants and large design system contractors the ultimate in output and efficiency in a compact package. The aim is always to provide great-sounding solutions for a wide variety of applications, responding to direct input from leading contractors and system integrators in the field, and the QX Series delivers on that promise."

The five new models include the QX596 (dispersion pattern: 90 degrees x 60 degrees), QX594 (90 degrees x 45 degrees), QX566 (60 degrees x 60 degrees), QX564 (60 degrees x 45 degrees) and QX544 (45 degrees x 45 degrees). All units measure 27.96" x 27.96" x 23.95" and weigh 130 lbs. A variety of installation applications and accessories provide added flexibility for the installer. As always, optimized processor settings for the UX8800 Digital Signal Processor will be available for download at www.eaw.com.

The newest additions to the JF Series of two-way loudspeakers include JF8, JF10, JF26, JF29, JF56 and JF59, packing even more capability and application flexibility into the ultra-compact series. New comprehensively integrated JFNT units include JF26NT, JF29NT, JF56NT and JF59NT.

The JF models include low-directivity eight-inch and 10-inch systems and four 12-inch and 15-inch systems (60-degree x 45-degree and 90-degree x 45-degree versions of both sizes are available). The integration of lightweight, premium neodymium components and legendary crossover design into an ingeniously adaptable package offers unprecedented utility. When used in conjunction with EAW's UX8800 Processor and its revolutionary EAW Focusing™, the JF Series provides the pinnacle of performance in any venue.

The four JFNT models (comprehensively integrated versions of the 12-inch and 15-inch JF models) elevate the notion of power and utility. They offer 1500 Watts of fully integrated amplification, revolutionary EAW Focusing processing, EAW Pilot™ software-accessible front-end DSP, proprietary U-Net™ audio and communications network, and the JF Series adaptable enclosure design. This provides multi-channel digital audio transmission with remote software control and monitoring capability. Contractors have the ability to initially install standard JF models for their clients, and then at a later date, upgrade those cabinets in the field to the NT model. The entire product line is architected on a core cabinet philosophy that allows users to utilize universal hardware accessories to tailor their JF product to meet the specific needs of their application.

For the ultimate in flexibility, a variety of available accessories offers the ability to tailor the new JF Series products to any application. All JF and JFNT models natively employ a combination of portable features and M10 installation points. Available universal accessories include trim plates that hide handles and provide a connection point for adjustable u-brackets, quick-release flytrack segments that integrate into any enclosure and adjustable legs for use as a stage monitor.

For contractor and system integrator applications such as corporate A/V events, small-to-medium-sized live sound reinforcement, performing arts venues, houses of worship, retail spaces, ballrooms, theaters and theme parks, the new JF and JFNT Series are the perfect solution.

The new model specs are as follows:

Engineered by the same Whitinsville, Massachusetts-based design team responsible for EAW's critically-acclaimed KF Series, the new KF and KFNT make up a series of ultra-compact, three-way loudspeakers that deliver premium performance in designs that offer a lightweight solution. The complete range includes two externally powered models (90-degree x 45-degree and 60-degree x 45-degree) and three comprehensively integrated models (NT versions of the two previously described, and a 10-inch / 8-inch coaxial model). At the heart of the new KF Series product line is a core cabinet philosophy that allows users to utilize universal hardware accessories to tailor their KF product to meet the specific needs of their application.

The new KF Series models include the KF364 and KF394, packing even more capability and application flexibility into the ultra-compact series of premium 3-way loudspeakers. The integration of premium neodymium components, a co-axial mid/high frequency component and world-renowned crossover design into an adaptable enclosure offers unprecedented utility. When used in conjunction with EAW's UX8800 Processor and its proprietary EAW Focusing, the KF Series provides the pinnacle of performance in any venue.

The new comprehensively-integrated KFNT models include the KF200NT, KF364NT and KF394NT. Like the non-NT versions, these units feature outstanding capability and versatility in a compact housing. Aside from class-leading neodymium components and co-axial mid/high frequency components, they feature EAW Focusing processing, software-accessible DSP and the proprietary U-Net network.

A variety of available accessories offer the ability to tailor each of the new KF and KFNT products to any application. All new KF and KFNT models natively offer both portable features and M10 installation points. For contractors and system integrators who require added flexibility, available universal accessories include trim plates that hide handles, adjustable U-brackets, quick release flytrack segments that integrate into any enclosure and adjustable legs for use as a stage monitor.

The new model specs are as follows:

Michael Lacina, President of JK Sound, and Tom Schindler of acoustical consulting firm Charles Salter Associates, collaborated on the design and componentry of the new system. It was determined that an L-C-R array design would provide the desired coverage, using three pairs of EAW's AX396 speakers with EAW's UX8800 Digital Signal Processor.

The AX396 pairs were to be oriented such that their 90-degree pattern axis was vertical and that the 60-degree pattern axis was coupled, rendering an overall horizontal coverage of 120 degrees for each of the left, center and right speaker pairs. This was the goal of Tom Schindler's design: to provide a true L-C-R listening experience for the entire audience.

However, they encountered the perennial conflict of visual aesthetic versus optimized acoustic performance. "The design called for two AX396 90 x 60 degree cabinets side by side with the vertical dispersion at 90 [degrees] and the combined horizontal dispersion at 120 [degrees]," Lacina explains. "The front dimension of the AX box is 2' x 3'. Acoustically, one would want to arrange the boxes vertically side by side so that the high-mid components have minimal distance between them. But aesthetically, one would want the smallest vertical profile possible so that the speaker would loom less large over the performers' heads."

The solution, they decided, was to strip out the low-frequency woofers from the AX396 altogether and hide these components in the proscenium directly above each L-C-R Mid High pair. Long time JK systems engineer Brad Katz came up with the idea to marry the side-by-side 60 x 90 mid-high horns together in one cabinet, thereby simplifying the complexity of the speaker installation. The new design greatly reduced the vertical and horizontal profile of the speaker arrays, creating a sleek, compact and powerful system. Lacina presented the idea to both Kenton Forsythe, founder of EAW and its Senior VP of Engineering, and Joe Fustolo, EAW's Director of the Strategic Engineering Group. They agreed it could be done, and that there was also an opportunity to minimize the distance between the acoustic centers of the adjoining mid-high components. Thus the AX-SY was born.

A final tweak to the design was a 30-degree angle at the top of the cabinet to get the speaker up as high above the stage as possible. To handle the lows, now that the woofers had been separated out, Forsythe, Fustolo and Lacina decided on the EAW SB625z Medium Format Subwoofer, a compact but powerful dual 15", for the mid bass, which was to be placed above each pair of high-mids. Then between each of the L-C-R dual 15" mid bass cabs, there would be two dual-18 subwoofers, all hidden from view behind an acoustically transparent scrim in the proscenium.

"The beauty of the design is that all of the big low frequency boxes are completely hidden behind the scrim, so the P.A. would look petite but sound huge and effortless," Lacina explains. Yoshi's would also add other groundbreaking elements to its sound system, including the first installation of EAW's then-brand new MicroWedge, which turned out to be so successful (thanks to its small footprint, large output and high phase coherency) that Yoshi's purchased a dozen more MW12s and MW15s for their Oakland venue. And the installation would also be the most extensive use at the time of EAW UX8800s, with a total of five units providing 40 channels of processing output. Thanks to the resourcefulness of EAW's Strategic Engineering Group and the hard work of Lacina, Brad Katz, and the rest of the JK Sound team, and Tom Schindler of Salter and associates, the newest Yoshi's lives up to the goal that had been set for it from the beginning: to be one of the best places in the world to listen to live jazz.