PreSonus has announced its new StudioLive AI-series Active Integration Loudspeakers, the first active loudspeakers that deliver studio-monitor accuracy onstage and are equipped with complete wireless or wired remote control and monitoring using an iPad or laptop.
All StudioLive AI-series speakers incorporate Fulcrum Acoustic’s TQ™ Temporal Equalization algorithms. TQ employs multiple, fully addressable Finite Impulse Response (FIR) filters to eliminate horn reflections and to correct linear time and amplitude anomalies. Collaborating with Fulcrum Acoustic co-founder, Dave Gunness, PreSonus software designers incorporated custom TQ algorithms with dynamics processing, FFT tools, and performance monitoring into the onboard DSP – quite possibly the most powerful suite of tools ever available in a loudspeaker system. The result is a PA system with remarkably clear, coherent, studio-quality sound: Studio…Live!
Another key component of the StudioLive AI’s distinctive design is its use of Active Integration technology. Active Integration combines wireless and wired networking and communications with the aforementioned powerful DSP to create a unified working environment.
All StudioLive AI-series loudspeakers include a USB Wi-Fi module to connect to SL Room Control software over a wireless network. SL Room Control is an impressive system-configuration application for Mac OS X®, Windows®, and iPad that provides both individual and grouped speaker control and includes a 31-band graphic EQ and an 8-band parametric EQ, muting, soloing, and level control, in addition to performance monitoring (over temperature, click detection, and excursions). A network-setup wizard is also included to quickly connect each speaker to your wireless network. An included Ethernet port on each speaker can be replaced with an AVB option card, which is expected to available in late 2013.
Full-range AI-series loudspeakers are available in three configurations. Each compact, powered, 3-way loudspeaker relies on a custom-designed, 8-inch coaxial speaker with a 1.75-inch titanium compression driver to reproduce the mid and high frequencies. The triamplified, Class D power amplifiers in each model (quad-amped in the 328AI) deliver an astonishing combined 2,000 watts of power.
The StudioLive 312AI comes equipped with a 12-inch ferrite speaker to handle low-frequency reproduction. This model is a great choice for venue owners who need high-quality speakers that offer enough coverage for normal bar needs (such as game broadcast and canned music) and are powerful enough for a band or a karaoke night.
Featuring dual 8-inch ferrite speakers for low-frequency reproduction, the StudioLive 328AI delivers full-range, high-powered performance, yet is streamlined and compact- just right for the club that needs a compact PA with the frequency range, sound, and power of a large system.
For the large venue that needs a bigger low-end, the StudioLive 315AI provides 3-way coverage, with a 15-inch speaker for the lows.
Each full-range system has a combo XLR/TRS line input and an XLR microphone input with an XMAX™ Class A mic preamplifier and 12V phantom power, as well as an XLR audio throughput. The full-range speaker systems are pole-mountable and have two ergonomic side handles, interlocking stacking, and M10 fly points. All enclosures are of lightweight plywood construction. Three operation modes allow the user to choose DSP presets for their application, such as MP3 playback, live performance, or stage monitoring. Users can also create a custom preset using SL Room Control and store it onboard for use later.
In addition to the full-range, 3-way systems, PreSonus is offering the StudioLive 18sAI, a powered, 18-inch, ferrite subwoofer designed to complement the full-range StudioLive AI speakers while still being flexible enough to work with other powered loudspeakers. A 1,000W amplifier powers the subwoofer. The StudioLive 18sAI offers stereo line inputs (XLR/¼-inch combo) and full-range stereo line outputs (XLR) that can be summed to mono. An alignment delay can be set to 0, 2, or 4 feet, allowing the subwoofer to combine perfectly with a full-range system.
Each full-range, three-way speaker system includes a switch that engages an External Subwoofer mode. In this mode, a custom low-cut filter ensures that the bottom frequency range of the woofer and the top range of the StudioLive 18sAI subwoofer overlap, and an alignment delay and phase correction are enabled, creating a true time- and phase-aligned, four-way system.
The StudioLive 18sAI subwoofer offers an additional alignment delay that can be set to 0, 2, or 4 feet, allowing the full-range system to be placed on the subwoofer pole (the 0 setting) or with the subwoofer in front, or with the full-range system onstage and the subwoofer on the floor.
Custom accessories for the AI-series speakers include a mountable Sub Dolly to make hauling the 18sAI subwoofer easy and a pull-tested Sub Pole to mount a full-range system atop the 18sAI. An M10 Kit, which contains four M10 eyebolts, lets you fly any full-range model in a permanent installation. Protective covers for the 312AI, 328AI, 315AI, and 18sAI are also available.
All models are expected to ship late in the first quarter of 2013.
More information: PreSonus
