Driven a column array lately? Maybe not, because you still associate column systems with low-fi, 50-year-old, Vocal Master speakers on a church wall or a wedding band gig. Modern column array designs offer high intelligibility, wide bandwidth (especially if used with a companion subwoofer) and advanced features such as versatile mounting; powering options; onboard DSP — sometimes with the ability to steer audio directly to the listener. So, here’s a selection of some next-gen products for portable and fixed applications…
Alcons Audio QRP 40/90
- Application: Portable or Install
- Drivers: (8) 5” woofers; ribbon HF
- Response: 71 Hz – 20k Hz
- Horiz. Dispersion: 90°
- Size (HxWxD): 44×6.3×9.3”
- Weight: 48.5 pounds
- Power: Unpowered
- Standard Color: Black; others optional
- Notes: 12” RBN1203 ribbon HF
- Subwoofer: QB242
Amadeus Avignon A 470 Straight
- Application: Portable or Install
- Drivers: (4) 6.5” LF; (4) planar ribbon HF; (6) 8” passive radiators
- Response: 65 Hz – 20k Hz (± 3dB)
- Horiz. Dispersion: 100°
- Size (HxWxD): 33x11x18.5”
- Weight: 75 pounds
- Power: Unpowered
- Standard Color: Black, white, oyster, gray, steel blue
- Notes: FIR active crossover
- Subwoofer: Several available
Ashly IS-3.8
- Application: Install
- Drivers: (8) 3” neodymium
- Response: 105 Hz -19k Hz
- Horiz. Dispersion: 170°
- Size (HxWxD): 32x4x5.1”
- Weight: 12.8 pounds
- Power: Unpowered; 8/32 ohms
- Standard Color: Black/white
- Notes: Up to 8 can be driven by one amp channel
- Subwoofer: SP 12.1P
Avante Audio Achromic AS8
- Application: Portable
- Drivers: (6) 2.75” plus 8” LF
- Response: 55 Hz – 20k Hz
- Size (HxWxD): 79.1×13.8×16.9”
- Weight: 35 pounds
- Power: 250W RMS
- Standard Color: Black
- Notes: Battery version also avail.
- Subwoofer: 8” powered sub included
Biamp Desono ENT-FR
- Application: Fixed install
- Drivers: (42) HF; (18) 2.35” MF; (6) 3.5” LF
- Response: 200 Hz – 20k Hz
- Horiz. Dispersion: 120°
- Size (HxWxD): 44.5×5.5×7.36”
- Weight: 40 pounds
- Power: Unpowered
- Standard Color: Black or white paintable
- Notes: Extruded aluminum construction
- Subwoofer: ENT-LF
Bogen ALA-C1
- Application: Install
- Drivers: (9) 4” woofers; (6) 1” tweeters
- Response: 150 Hz – 18 k Hz
- Horiz. Dispersion: 140°
- Size (HxWxD): 43x6x8.6″
- Weight: 46.8 pounds
- Power: Unpowered 70v/8 ohm
- Standard Color: Black or white
- Notes: IP65 rated
- Subwoofer: Apogee AFI-118
- www.bogen.com
Bosch LA1-UM40E-1
- Application: Install
- Drivers: (8) fullrange
- Response: 250 Hz – 16k Hz
- Horiz. Dispersion: 92°
- Size (HxWxD): 30.6×3.3×3.8”
- Weight: 9.7 pounds
- Power: Unpowered 70v/8 ohm
- Standard Color: White
- Notes: 19” LA1-UM20E-1 also available
Bose Panaray MSA12X
- Application: Install
- Drivers: (12) 2.25″ MF/HF
- Response: 100 Hz – 16k Hz
- Horiz. Dispersion: 145°
- Size (HxWxD): 38.8×4.2×5″
- Weight: 19 pounds
- Power: Unpowered
- Standard Color: Black or White
- Notes: Outdoor MA12EX version offered
- Subwoofer: MB12, MB24
Carvin TRC600A
- Application: Portable
- Drivers: (9) 3.5” HF plus 18” LF
- Response: 37 Hz – 18k Hz
- Horiz. Dispersion: 120°
- Size (HxWxD): 56x24x23”
- Weight: 98 pounds
- Power: 2,000W peak
- Standard Color: Black
- Notes: Flyable satellite
- Subwoofer: Includes TRx3118A sub
d&b audiotechnik 24C
- Application: Install
- Drivers: (6) 4” cone LF; (6) 1.1” HF
- Response: 110 Hz – 17k Hz
- Horiz. Dispersion: 90°
- Size (HxWxD): 39.4×4.9 x4.9”
- Weight: 19.8 pounds
- Power: Unpowered
- Standard Color: Black or white
- Notes: d&b D6, D12 or D80 amps recommended
- Subwoofer: d&b 12S-SUB
Danley Audio SBH10
- Application: Install
- Drivers: (8) 5” coaxials
- Response: 77 Hz – 15k Hz
- Horiz. Dispersion: 140°
- Size (HxWxD): 60x9x9”
- Weight: 100 pounds
- Power: Unpowered
- Standard Color: Black
- Notes: Paraline lens horn design
- Subwoofer: Danley TH112 or TH115
dB Technologies Igenia IG4 T
- Application: Install
- Drivers: (4) 6.5” LF, 1.4” exit HF
- Response: 88 Hz – 19.2 kHz
- Horiz. Dispersion: 110°
- Size (HxWxD): 38.6×7.7×10.7”
- Weight: 40 pounds
- Power: Digipro G3 900W RMS
- Standard Color: Black
- Notes: Onboard DSP
- Subwoofer: Sub 15H, Sub 18H
Eastern Acoustic Works AC6
- Application: Fixed or portable
- Drivers: (6) 6” LF; (30) 1” HF
- Response: 65 Hz – 20k Hz
- Horiz. Dispersion: 120°
- Size (HxWxD): 38.7×9.4×10.4”
- Weight: 70 pounds
- Power: 600W
- Standard Color: Black or white
- Notes: Numerous LF options
- Subwoofer: Numerous LF options
Electro-Voice LRC-2100
- Application: Install
- Drivers: (2) 6.5” woofers; (12) 2.5” HF
- Response: 45 Hz -16 k Hz
- Horiz. Dispersion: 80°
- Size (HxWxD): 37.5×7.3×9.8”
- Weight: 33.1 pounds
- Power: Unpowered
- Standard Color: Black or white
- Notes: (4) M8 hardpoints
FBT Vertus CLA 604a
- Application: Install or portable
- Drivers: (6) 4” cone; (4) 1” HF
- Response: 130 Hz – 20k Hz
- Horiz. Dispersion: 100°
- Size (HxWxD): 33x5x5.1”
- Weight: 25.3 pounds
- Power: Class-D 400+100W
- Standard Color: Black, white
- Notes: Mic/line input; four DSP presets
- Subwoofer: CLA208SA 600W sub
Fohhn Audio Linea LXP-100
- Application: Portable or Install
- Drivers: (8) 4” woofers; 1” comp. driver
- Response: 50 Hz – 20k Hz
- Horiz. Dispersion: 90°
- Size (HxWxD): 39×5.25×5”
- Weight: 18.1 pounds
- Power: Unpowered
- Colors: Black, white, RAL or Pantone
- Notes: IP52/IP54 rated
HK Audio Polar 12
- Application: Portable
- Drivers: 1” HF; (6) 3” MF; 12” LF
- Response: 35 Hz – 20k Hz
- Horiz. Dispersion: 120°
- Max Height: 86”
- Total Weight: 62 pounds
- Power: 2,000 watts
- Mix Inputs: (2) XLR combo; ¼” hi-Z; aux input
- Phantom Power: No
- Control App: No
- Notes: Bluetooth audio streaming
JBL Professional COL800
- Application: Install
- Drivers: (4) 5×2.25” LF; (2) 20mm HF
- Response: 125Hz -18k Hz
- Horiz. Dispersion: 160°
- Size (HxWxD): 31.5×4.1×3.7”
- Weight: 11.5 pounds
- Power: Unpowered
- Standard Color: Black, white
- Notes: IP54 rated
- Subwoofer: Numerous LF options
K-Array Python KP-102
- Application: Install
- Drivers: (12) 3.15” neodymium fullrange
- Response: 70 Hz -18 k Hz
- Horiz. Dispersion: 90°
- Size (HxWxD): 39.4×3.5×4.7”
- Weight: 26.5 pounds
- Power: Unpowered
- Colors: Black, white, custom, 24k gold, polished steel
- Notes: IP54 rated
- Subwoofer: Optional Thunder or Rumble
Kling & Freitag VIDA
- Application: Install and portable
- Drivers: (12) 6.5” LF; (12) 3.5” MF; (32) 1” HF
- Response: 65 Hz – 22k Hz
- Horiz. Dispersion: 90°
- Size (HxWxD): 44.6×8.3×13.4”
- Weight: 106 pounds
- Power: 48 Class-D channels
- Standard Color: Black + RAL option
- Notes: J-Beam steering; Dante, AES & analog inputs
- Subwoofer: VIDA-C
L-Acoustics Syva
- Application: Install or portable
- Drivers: (6) 5” MF, (3) 1” HF
- Response: 87 Hz – 20k Hz
- Horiz. Dispersion: 140°
- Size (HxWxD): 51.3×5.7×8.2”
- Weight: 46 pounds (single column)
- Power: LA4X w/four 1,000W outputs
- Standard Color: Black, RAL available
- Notes: Numerous mount/fly hardware
- Subwoofer: Syva Low/Syva Sub options
LD Systems MAILA-S
- Application: Portable
- Drivers: (4) SATs w/coax 6.5” & (5) 1” HF
- Response: 34 Hz – 20k Hz
- Horiz. Dispersion: 100°
- Size (HxWxD): 97x21x31”
- Weight: 464 pounds
- Power: 7,500W peak
- Standard Color: Black
- Notes: Expandable; stereo system
- Subwoofer: Includes (2) 2×15” MAILA-SUBs
Mackie SRM-Flex
- Application: Portable
- Drivers: (6) 2” fullrange; 10” LF
- Response: 40 Hz – 20 k Hz
- Horiz. Dispersion: 90°
- Max Height: 78.8”
- Weight: 29.6 pounds
- Power: 1,300W (peak)
- Standard Color: Black
- Notes: Onboard mixer
- Subwoofer: Integrated 10” sub
Meyer Sound CAL 64
- Application: Install
- Drivers: (16) 4” LF; (48) 3/4” HF
- Response: 100 Hz – 16k Hz
- Horiz. Dispersion: 120°
- Size (HxWxD): 87.8×7.8×9.9”
- Weight: 124 pounds
- Power: Amp channel for each driver
- Standard Color: Black, white
- Notes: HF beam steering; 32/96 driver versions avail.
- Subwoofer: Various sub options
MuxLab Dante Column Speaker PoE
- Application: Install
- Drivers: (4) 3” fullrange
- Response: 105 Hz – 16k Hz
- Size (HxWxD): 8.9×3.4×4.45”
- Weight: 24 pounds
- Power: Onboard 60W
- Standard Color: Black
- Notes: Dante input; PoE powerable
NEXO ID84
- Application: Portable or fixed
- Drivers: (8) 4” LF; (8) dome HF
- Response: 90 Hz – 20k Hz
- Horiz. Dispersion: 100°
- Size (HxWxD): 39×5.9×8.5”
- Weight: 33 pounds
- Power: Unpowered
- Standard Color: Black, white, RAL
- Notes: IP2x rated
- Subwoofer: ID84L
Peavey LN 1263
- Application: Portable
- Drivers: (12) 2.75” HF; 12” LF
- Response: 35 Hz-20k Hz
- Column Size: 18.75×4.75×3.75”
- Weight: 76 pounds
- Power: 1,200 watts
- Standard Color: Black
- Notes: Onboard 6-channel mixer
- Subwoofer: 12” powered sub included
Q-SYS AD-S162T
- Application: Install
- Drivers: (16) 2.75” cone
- Response: 90 Hz – 17k Hz
- Horiz. Dispersion: 160°
- Size (HxWxD): 45.8×5.2×5”
- Weight: 26 pounds
- Power: 70/100V or 8-ohm powering
- Standard Color: White or black
- Notes: IP-54 rating
- Subwoofer: Various subwoofer options
RCF NXL 24-A Mk2
- Application: Install or portable
- Drivers: (4) 6” LF; 1.4” HF comp driver
- Response: 60 Hz – 20k Hz
- Horiz. Dispersion: 100°
- Size (HxWxD): 41.5x8x10.8”
- Weight: 53.8 pounds
- Power: 2,100W
- Standard Color: Black
- Notes: Onboard DSP
- Subwoofer: Sub 8004 AS
Renkus-Heinz Iconyx Compact 24/3-RN
- Application: Install
- Drivers: (24) 3” cone drivers
- Response: 135 Hz – 17k Hz
- Horiz. Dispersion: 120°
- Size (HxWxD): 79×4.4.4.75”
- Weight: 52 pounds
- Power: 24-amp channels
- Standard Color: Black, white, custom
- Notes: RHAON II beam-steering; AES and analog inputs
- Subwoofer: Various avail.
Sound Barrier LX12275
- Application: Portable and install
- Drivers: (12) 2.75” full range
- Response: 50 Hz – 20k Hz with sub
- Horiz. Dispersion: 120°
- Size (HxWxD): 37×3.7×3.7”
- Weight: 14.6 pounds
- Power: Unpowered
- Standard Color: Black
- Notes: Pole socket and M6 fly points
- Subwoofer: LX210AS and LX210A
SoundTube LA880i-II
- Application: Install
- Drivers: (8) 4.5” LF; (8) 2” MF; 2.5” ribbon HF
- Response: 71 Hz – 22k Hz
- Horiz. Dispersion: 91°
- Size (HxWxD): 41×7.5×11”
- Weight: 55 pounds
- Power: Unpowered
- Standard Color: Black, white
- Notes: Aluminum enclosure
- Subwoofer: LA808i-II
https://soundtube.mseaudio.com
Studiomaster Direct 121
- Application: Portable
- Drivers: (6) 3” MF; 1” HF; 12” LF
- Response: 20Hz – 20k Hz
- Horiz. Dispersion: 120°
- Max Height: 57”
- Total Weight: 50.6 pounds
- Power: 900 watts
- Mix Inputs: Onboard mixer
- Notes: 10” sub version also offered
Tannoy QFLEX 16
- Application: Install
- Drivers: (8) 3” LF; (8) 1” HF
- Response: 130 Hz – 20 k Hz
- Horiz. Dispersion: 120°
- Size (HxWxD): 29.3×6.7×5.9”
- Weight: 31.4 pounds
- Power: (16) 100W amp channels
- Standard Color: RAL or custom colors
- Notes: Analog & AES inputs; digitally steerable
TOA Electronics HA-1010-AMQ
- Application: Fixed install
- Drivers: (8) MF horn drivers
- Response: 350 Hz – 7k Hz
- Horiz. Dispersion: 90°
- Size (HxWxD): 48.5×6.6×5.5”
- Weight: 29.75 pounds
- Power: Unpowered
- Standard Color: Gray with black grill
- Notes: Intended mainly for voice/safety/evac
Yamaha VXL1B-16P
- Application: Install
- Drivers: (16) 1.5” neodymium
- Response: 80 Hz – 20k Hz
- Horiz. Dispersion: 180°
- Size (HxWxD): 49×2.15×4.1”
- Weight: 11 pounds
- Power: 6-15 watts
- Standard Color: Black, white
- Notes: PoE powered; Dante input
- Subwoofer: Various offered
Yorkville EXM400
- Application: Portable
- Drivers: (4) 3.5” HF; 10” LF
- Response: 50 Hz – 20k Hz
- Horiz. Dispersion: 150°
- Max Height: 78”
- Total Weight: 43 pounds
- Power: 400 watts
- Mix Inputs: Onboard mixer
- Notes: Bluetooth streaming
