At 2010 Musikmesse in Frankfurt, Germany, L-Acoustics launched KARA, their new modular line source system, which is pictured here. The company also launched their new SB18 high powered subwoofer.
Inspired by the K1, this system features a compact size and lightweight enclosure and the complementary SB18 subwoofer (which has a low frequency limit of 32Hz) for reinforced LF contour applications. KARA delivers many improvements over its predecessor: added LF resources for increased bandwidth and coherence, improved directivity control in the horizontal plane, vertical coverage capability and improved ergonomics thanks to an integrated rigging system and lighter weight.
KARA uses Wavefront Sculpture Technology (WST) and has a horizontal directivity of 110° and a vertical inter-element variation up to 10.°
The SB18 design is based on a single 18-inch LF transducer integrated into a dual bass-reflex tuned enclosure. Since its compact size and its damping characteristics make it well-suited for compact FOH applications, L-Acoustics recommends the SB18 to be used with KARA (either coupled/flown or stacked configurations), KIVA, ARCS and coaxial LF contour reinforcement in both standard and cardioid modes.
"KARA is to dV what K1 is to VDOSC – in other words, a similar format but at least a one step improvement in every possible domain," said Stefan Ecalle, L-Acoustics marketing director. "So if you compare KARA to dV, it's better rigging, better ergonomics and much better directivity in the horizontal plain."
KARA and SB18 will undergo a pilot phase until June 2010 with some rental companies, which will collaborate closely with L-Acoustics' R&D team and technical support to validate rigging, system setup and preset libraries. The system is scheduled to ship in September 2010.
