NAMM 2012: Harman?s JBL introduces VTX Line Array Series

Harman’s JBL Professional has today announced the introduction of the VTX Line Array Series at the Winter NAMM show in Anaheim, California.

Designed for both portable and fixed-venue applications, the VTX Series builds upon the company’s 65-year heritage of loudspeaker design and is aimed at providing optimum audio quality.

Paul Bauman, senior manager, Tour Sound, JBL Professional, commented: “Of all the achievements JBL has made over the years, the VTX Series stands as a milestone in the practical application of creative engineering. VTX truly represents the next generation in line arrays—an evolution of JBL’s industry-standard VERTEC that heralds a new era in performance, system integration and user-friendliness.”

The first product from the series is the VTX V25; a full-size, three-way, high-directivity line array element. It features two 2000W, 15-inch Differential Drive woofers mounted in die-cast aluminium baffles, with four eight-inch Differential Drive mid-range transducers and three D2 Dual-Diaphragm Dual-Voice-Coil Compression Drivers mounted on a third generation waveguide and patented RBI Radiation Boundary Integrator assembly.

JBL’s patented Radiation Boundary Integrator combines the high frequency and mid-range sections of the V25 so the transition across each band is uninterrupted. A patent-pending, tuned resonant absorption chamber (TRAC) is integrated into the waveguide itself, effectively eliminating throat-related cancellations due to back pressure from the mid-range section. VTX’s RBI waveguide implementation is also aimed at providing improved horizontal coverage.

Another key feature of the VTX Series is the incorporation of expertise from across the entire Harman range, utilising Crown Audio VRack DSP and amplification. VRack is a rugged touring rack fitted with three Crown I-Tech HD Series power amplifiers, power input panel, and custom-engineered input/output panels that is available in two configurations: VRack 12000 and VRack 4 x 3500 are loaded with three IT 12000HD and three IT 4 x 3500HD amplifiers, respectively. Furthermore, as VRack is supplied with all components installed and internally connected, compatibility for cross rental between VTX Network Partners is assured.

Using JBL’s HiQnet Performance Manager control software and with reference to measured spatial response, circuit level gain and JBL Line Array Control Panel tapering adjustments are performed as a first step in system tuning with the VTX V25. Once SPL and frequency response has been optimised on a circuit level, global equalisation can then be applied to the entire array to compensate for room-related effects. This patented approach to system tuning has been specifically designed into the workflow of Performance Manager.

With improved hardware for faster setup and greater security, VTX’s patented SAFE suspension system is designed to increase speed and efficiency. A custom-designed protective cover and dolly also makes for easier transportation.

The VTX Series also complies with Harman’s GreenEdge initiative, which combines environmentally friendly design with energy savings without compromising performance.

“The VTX Series is a result of JBL’s continued effort to deliver more powerful, more compact, lightweight and flexible sound reinforcement systems,” Bauman said. “JBL has invested heavily in the tools necessary to design, measure, evaluate and refine components throughout the development cycle. In addition to state-of-the-art CAD systems, we have developed proprietary R&D tools unique to JBL. With these tools, we are assured of meeting each product’s intended design goals, able to find opportunities for even better performance, and perhaps most important, have the resources to develop technologies that never existed. The VTX System is a premier example of this.”