Audio manufacturers unveil new lines of gear — particularly speakers — on a fairly consistent basis. After all, technology marches forward and change is an inevitable part of life in the pro audio lane. While newer designs can incorporate more powerful, more feature-laden elements, the downside of any new technology — whether in the form of smartphones, audio over IP or advanced sound reinforcement systems — is that all this sophistication is nice, but only if it is also is easy for the user to access and use in everyday situations. The Concept
A few months ago, with that approach in mind, Eastern Acoustic Works unveiled its new Radius family of intelligent loudspeakers for both permanent installation and portable applications. Besides providing the top-end audio that EAW has long been known for, a major emphasis in the Radius project was also streamlining and simplifying the user experience.
Taking the control aspect up a few notches, Radius takes EAW’s acoustical technologies, such as EAW Focusing and DynO, to a new powered and processed platform that integrates Dante networking and iOS-based prediction, control and monitoring, with along with a feature set designed to fast-track system setups in minimal time.
Radius is a wide-ranging series of products that includes point source, line source, stage monitor and subwoofer loudspeakers — all with onboard Power Factor Corrected, DSP-driven Class-D amplification. The family represents some serious horsepower, from the RSX208L articulated line array, the flyable RSX12 subwoofer, two-way RSX12 (single-12) and RSX8 (single-8) point-source boxes, RSX12M coaxial-12 stage monitor and RSX18 single-18 subwoofer. Besides all sharing common tonalities/voicings (for consistent sound throughout the line), all offer a unified Radius user interface — with easy access to parameters and functions, via similar rear panel LCD screens and control sets.
Beyond the usual crossover and delay functions, users can select from four pre-defined, application-specific presets or run a quick systems diagnostic on transducer and amplifier functionality from the rear LCD, without the need for external equipment. Other model-specific functions are also directly accessible from the rear panel. But that’s just the beginning.
Full-On Access — and More
Designed specifically for Radius, and forming the heart of the system, EAWmosaic™ is an all-encompassing iOS app for design/prediction, control and monitoring of the entire Radius loudspeaker family. The app was created to offer ease of access to engineers and system techs of all levels. Via a wireless access point, users can access all functionality via Dante-networked Radius loudspeakers to route audio, optimize the system, and monitor every device in real-time. Network functionality is only available when online with a RADIUS system, but system design and prediction can be done offline, anywhere, anytime.
Functionality within EAWmosiac include Rig View (for grouping and configuration of all networked loudspeakers) and Venue View — shown in Fig. 1 — which offers online or offline design, prediction and system optimization of nearly any performing space. EAWmosaic also adds a simple PDF export of system design that lists critical system properties, for hard copy distribution.
Established EAW technologies incorporated into the Radius platform include EAW’s Focusing, which corrects inherent acoustical anomalies to optimize the impulse response throughout the entire coverage pattern; and DynO, that intelligently preserves a clean impulse response even at very high output levels.
Optimization of multiple enclosures within a line array can be a complicated affair. So the Radius RSX208L array features OptiLogic. Via a combination of integrated infrared transceivers and tilt sensors, each RSX208L module or RSX12 flyable subwoofer “knows” its exact position and splay angle within the array. This provides instant group and acoustical output optimization, with compensation for array size, audience geometry and throw distance. An Output Check feature lets users easily test the system to insure proper operation of all system components before deployment. And like EAWmosiac, OptiLogic can be used online or offline.
The Lineup
The crown jewel in the RADIUS line is the RSX208L line array module, which is a 3-way design based on two 8-inch neodymium woofers and dual stacked 1-inch exit HF compression drivers. One of the woofers is voiced for low frequencies; the other for LF/MF. Specs include a 65 Hz to 18 kHz (-10dB) response; 120° by 12° (HxV) dispersion; and three 500 watt amplifiers that can drive the RSX208L to max SPL peaks of 131 dB. Weight is 40.5 pounds and dimensions (HxWxD) are 9.8 x 27 x 13 inches. Integrated rigging hardware uses a simple, secure latch-and-pin design for fast deployment.
The RSX12 subwoofer has a single 12-inch woofer with 1,000 watts of onboard amplification. It’s flyable for combining with the RSX208L line array, or can ground stacked. RSX12 dimensions are a compact 17 x 25 x 19 inches and weight is 76 pounds. The other sub in the line is the 94-pound, single-18 RSX18. The 20.25 x 36 x 31-inch RSX18 also includes rear-panel pushbutton cardioid functionality (no need for complex calculations) when used in stacks of two or three. Both subs also feature a high-pass output for ease of integration with any full-range loudspeakers.
The full-range, point-source models are the compact 8-inch 2-way RSX86 (60° x 45° dispersion), the 90° x 60° RSX89 and the 12-inch 2-way RSX126 and RSX129, which feature the same directivity options as the RSX8 models. Horns are rotatable for horizontal applications/installations, such as using the speakers as low-profile front fills. All feature 1-inch exit HF compression drivers and dual 500-watt amplifiers. The 27 x 16.3 x 16.5-inch RSX8 models weigh 33 pounds and the 17 x 25 x 19-inch RSX12 models weigh 58 pounds.
Rounding out the line is the RSX12M, a 2-way stage monitor with 1,000 watts of biamplification feeding its 12-inch (plus 1-inch exit HF driver) coaxial transducer. The compact (19 x 19 x 13-inch) RSX12M offers 90° x 90° dispersion, is capable of 130 dB peak SPLs and weighs just 35 pounds.
Beyond the Electronics
All of the enclosures in the series are wood construction, using a combination of Birch plywood (for strength) and poplar in non-critical areas to reduce weight. Other weight reduction comes from the use of neodymium woofers in the RSX208L line array module to Class-D amplification throughout the line. All are finished with EAW’s durable, protective Roadcoat™ finish, and feature minimal branding to blend into aesthetically sensitive installs.
Additionally, a wide range of available accessories (mounts, covers, rainguards, flybars, caster pallets, ATA cases, etc.), are offered to maximize the utility of the entire Radius family.
With the Radius launch, EAW is providing a flexible, powerful and easy to use line that should have wide appeal for smaller to mid-size venue applications in both the portable (live production, regional rental, corporate AV) and installation (house of worship, theater, club, performing arts center, etc.) markets.
For more information, visit www.eaw.com.
