SAN FRANCISCO–With attendance at mega-churches growing to resemble a stadium crowd at a football game, it makes some sense that someone has released a loudspeaker with the intelligibility and volume to handle either gig. That someone would be JBL Pro which introduced the Variable Line Array (VLA) Series at AES, So how loud are the VLAs? JBL is emphasizing throw over sheer SPL but the VLA has been measured at 105dB at 450 feet for the VLA601H in a six-unit array, with three directed towards the measuring position. That'll put some hair on your chest… Designed for the install market (trust us, you don't want to try to lift one of these puppies), the VLA also allows for adjustment of horizontial coverage within the vertical array via six large-format horn-loaded modules with three horizontal horn coverage patterns (30, 60 and 90 degrees). Ted Leamy, vice president of installed sound at JBL explained the VLA Series was built to address the need for high intelligibility, powerful high-impact sound, yet extraordinarily even coverage on a stadium-level scale.
Three standard-output versions of the VLA Series each feature three high-frequency drivers, two mid-frequency drivers and two low-frequency drivers. High-output versions each feature six high-frequency drivers, four mid-frequency drivers and two low-frequency drivers. In addition, JBL is introducing the VLA Calculator software package which allows system designers and consultants to mechanically and acoustically model VLA arrays of various sizes and shapes.The calculator also takes other factors like air temperature and air absorption into account.
For more info, visit www.jblpro.com.
Nigel Tufnel and David St. Hubbins, er, make that Mark Amundson and
David Scheirman with JBL's latest big gun, the VLA.
