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A 20MHz Revolution at Frankfurt

04/14/2011

20Mhz Audio Revolution and KV2 Audio’s World Premiere of Super Live Audio Technology

Prolight and Sound 2011 saw KV2 Audio launch their latest technology statement Super Live Audio alongside a wide range of exciting new products.

Since its inception KV2 Audio has fought against the increasing acceptance of poor quality audio technology being used for convenience over results and has always built its products around the best technology, rather than simply following the latest technology. In the instances where the available technology fails to live up to KV2 Audio’s meticulously high standards then new and unique technology has been created.

The Super Live Audio name derives from KV2 Audio’s opinion that live music is the ultimate source and features three individual disciplines, Super Digital, Super Analog and Super Acoustic. The three disciplines are the culmination of KV2 Audio’s innovations and technologies.

Where digital processing is required, KV2 Audio listened to the industry standard 48kHz and 96kHz technology and found that they badly distorted the sound, offering reduced intelligibility, especially over distance. Refusing to accept this KV2 created Super Digitaltechnology featuring 20MHz High Resolution Sigma Delta A-D Conversion technology. This dramatic increase offers significantly improved dynamic range, very high sound quality even at low volumes (-80dB) and very low harmonic distortion, but more importantly, non-harmonic distortion. This non harmonic distortion is much more audible and contributes hugely to the superior performance that people now associate with “the KV2 Sound”

Industry standard products in the analog field typically feature limited large signal frequency responses of between 40kHz and 90kHz with long settling times of up to 10us. These two critical design elements produce very high levels of audible non-harmonic distortion whilst products featuring KV2 Audio’s new Super Analog technology exhibit low levels of non harmonic distortion and a very high dynamic range due to incredibly fast settling times of us. This is coupled with a large signal frequency response of 200kHz, being the minimum requirement to correctly and accurately reproduce high frequency dynamics.

KV2 Audio loudspeakers and their components are all designed using Super Acoustictechnology. By using True Point Source designs, zero inductance speakers with extremely low distortion figures of less than 0.1% and ultra low distortion compression drivers with true piston motion diaphragms KV2 Audio achieve high dynamics and improved performance when compared with multiple sources, such as line array. Their exceptional pulse response, which is one of the biggest problems with Line array systems, means they have the ability to deliver a precise, accurate and detailed performance over a longer distance than even the largest line array systems.

The Portable Sound Arena was the venue for the Super Live Audio World Premier and every hour attendees were able to experience Super Live Audio for themselves in the form of presentations given by KV2 Audio President-CEO, Jonathan Reece-Farren. These demonstrations garnered a huge amount of positive feedback with people regularly stating that the KV2 Audio VHD System was by far the best sounding system at the entire show.

It was not just the launch of Super Live Audio that was exclusive to the show. KV2 Audio were demonstrating and exhibiting a wide range of new products.

Running in the Portable Sound Arena was a VHD system featuring a pair of the newly released VHD2.21, high output ultra low frequency double 21” subwoofers. Although larger than the majority of KV2 Audio’s subwoofers it is still designed according to the philosophy of delivering incredible performance from within a compact footprint. Operating down to 25Hzand with output levels of up to 146dB the VHD2.21 can be used with VHD products, the smaller ES range or as an incredible stand-alone subwoofer that can compliment any other companies systems. Unlike traditional 21” units that are typically designed as more of an effect subwoofer, listeners were shocked by its tight delivery, speed and extreme dynamics, even at higher bass frequencies – qualities rarely found in such a large unit.

On the new-look KV2 Audio stand were the new additions to the passive ESD Series. The show was the first time that the ESD subwoofer series had been displayed. The ESD1.12, passive 12” subwoofer and the ESD1.15, passive 15” subwoofer were on show and will soon be joined by the ESD1.18, passive 18” subwoofer. In addition to these subwoofers the ESD Series has grown to include the ESD36, a triple 6” passive 3-way speaker system for speech and music reproduction. Featuring a 6” driver dedicated to high-quality mid-range reproduction and a further two low frequency 6” driver for enhanced bass extension the ESD36 offers performance comparable to many larger cabinets with an enhanced vocal performance from the 3-way deign. Joining the range was also the eagerly awaited ESD 10passive full range 2 way solution featuring Transcoil AICC technology and based on its successful active brother, the EX 10.

Designed for optimised performance with the ESD Series, as well as other manufacturers passive or active loudspeakers, the SAC2, 2 Channel Super Analog Controller, was also on show. The SAC2 is a 2 input X 4 output controller that features a switchable crossover with adjustable HPF / LPF and independent notch filters to quickly and effectively reduce room resonances and feedback issues. Incorporating KV2 Audio’s legendary VHD Line Driverson each output combined with a four-band master EQ section, selectable High pass filter, switchable polarity, subwoofer EQ enhancement circuit and a variable speed limiter, the SAC2 is designed to be one of the finest sounding loudspeaker controllers on the market today.

Another Prolight and Sound meant the launch of another brand new and exciting product range. This year saw the unveiling of the “Classic Series” aimed at Concert Halls.

The Classic Series evolved from a common belief amongst classical musicians that speaker systems dramatically colour and tarnish their performance. Many solo performers request not to use a PA system; such is their discontent and displeasure with the results historically.

Consisting of two models, the smaller Sonata and the larger Symphony, with theirassociated tri-amplified stereo electronic control packs, the KV2 Audio Classic Series features Super Analog components throughout and state of the art Super Acoustic transducer design. The cabinets are optimised for classical and Jazz performance and are available in standard black, optional gloss black piano finished or polished wood.

During a year of testing over 300 performers were invited to experience the effect of listening to their chosen instrument through the Classic Series in a concert hall environment. The results were phenomenal. Performers described “the atmosphere of the stage being picked up and moved out to an audience”, others described the classic system as being “like a huge volume control on the orchestra, quartet, piano or solo performer but without altering the tone and colour of the sound.”

Suitable for Concert halls or Jazz clubs of between 100 and 2500 people the Classic Series from KV2 Audio finally offers a true musical solution to the enjoyment of classical music on a grand scale.

Products from the ever popular EX and ES ranges were also on display and the Kramperabrand was exhibiting the KVB Bass Guitar System for the first time in Frankfurt (keep checking www.krampera.com for a full report).

KV2 Audio are delighted to report that the show was a huge success and we look forward to following up the many positive leads and dealing with the numerous enquiries generated at the show.