Niamh MarriottAlcons’ new CRMSC-SRHV reference surround is a two way passive-filtered full range loudspeaker, designed to meet all requirements of current and future immersive surround sound formats for studios, screening rooms and high-end residential cinemas.
Featuring the patented Alcons pro-ribbon driver technology, the CRMSC-SRHV surround combines a clarity and intelligibility with a high dynamic range, which the maker says offers the most realistic sound reproduction.
The CRMSC-SRHV system consists of one RBN202 pro-ribbon driver for HF and a vented 6.5in mid-bass for LF reproduction. The CRMSC-SRHV HF section has a 500W peak power input, enabling a 1:16 dynamic range with up to 90% less distortion from 1 kHz to beyond 20 kHz.
Patented Technology
The patented (90°) horizontal and patent-pending (60°) vertical dispersion offers a wide and consistent coverage to a larger number of seats in the auditorium. Due to the ‘compression-less’ principle of the pro-ribbon transducer, the system has a linear response at any SPL.
The CRMSC-SRHV is designed as a matching (height layer) surround system for the CRMSC system. By utilising identical MHF components, a perfect voicing matching between screen and surround system is realised, resulting in a wide and uniform sound stage throughout the entire listening area.
The revolvable RBN waveguide and trapezoidal enclosure together with the optional grill and ACO colour option, provides for easy, low profile wall or ceiling mounting.
Additional Amplification
For full system performance, the CRMSC-SRHV needs to be driven by an ALC controller-amplifier, delivering maximum sound quality with increased headroom and utmost operation reliability.
The Signal Integrity Sensing pre-wiring ensures complete cable/connector compensation between the CRMSC-SRHOR and ALC, significantly increasing response accuracy, regardless of cable length and system impedance, with tight and accurate mid and bass response as result.
Typical applications include (height layer) surround sound system for premium home cinemas, high-end mix/ screening rooms, quality-conscious post-production facilities and dubbing stages. As a result of Alcons’ tight manufacturing standards, all system cabinets are within ‘matched pair’ tolerance.
“The CRMSC-SRHV is the first speaker that incorporates our patent-pending vertical-control waveguide technology. The initial beta-testing proved the validity of the concept, with many praises from listeners on the quality of the immersive details and coverage,” comments Phil De Haan, head of Alcons R&D. “Until now, the undisputed quality of the pro-ribbons was sometimes limited in application by the natural behaviour in the vertical/ non-coupling plane; some try to overcome this by using multiple drivers, but with severe compromises in imaging due to comb-filtering.”
He continues, “We’ve taken a different development approach, which results in increased coverage, while still maintaining the purity of a single driver source. Needless to say, more point-source systems will be launched with this technology.”
The official introduction will take place at the coming ISE show in Amsterdam, as part of the Alcons Pro-Ribbon Immersive Experience (6-H150).